UK Government Offers Free Citizenship Applications for Kids

The UK government has published guidance identifying two categories of children eligible to apply for British citizenship without the standard application fee. The first category includes children not in local authority care whose families cannot afford the fee.

These children can apply for a fee waiver online before submitting their citizenship application, with the waiver decision required prior to application submission. Notably, children who turn 18 while awaiting a fee waiver can still apply as minors if they qualify.

The second category pertains to children currently under local authority care, who do not need to apply for a fee waiver. Instead, their citizenship application must include evidence of their local authority care status, allowing for automatic processing at no cost.

This guidance is particularly significant for Nigerian families exploring citizenship options, as the standard application fee can be substantial.