Beware …Home Office issues updated Good Character Policy
Many people think once you receive the stage of being eligible to apply for British Citizenship, the application is easy, as they have already met all the requirements for previous applications.
However, as part of the Citizenship process the Home Office apply a good character policy, that does not just look at criminality. The policy also considers matters such as financial soundness and deception, as well as immigration history and often it is this policy which catches people out and often the reason for a refusal.
Most recently on 30th April 2026 an updated policy was issued (Version 7) and this is applied not only to all applications after this date, but also to applications which are currently pending.
The key amendment is that now, any application made after 10th February 2025, where the Applicant entered the UK illegally, will normally be refused, regardless of when the illegal entry took place. There is a section within the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 that provides a defence for refugees if certain circumstances applied in relation to their journey to the UK, and as well as a section within the guidance for people who were not in control of their journey to the UK, but it is imperative to consider the policy guidance carefully before making an application.
It is extremely important when making an application for Citizenship that all aspects of good character are taken into consideration, and if there is an issue that may be a cause for concern that it is raised and dealt with in legal representations as part of the application.
We see many refusals from individuals who have made the applications themselves and not disclosed a matter from their past, such as overstaying, or a driving penalty for example, and the Home Office not only refuse their application but apply a ban on re-applying.
There is a degree of discretion which the Home Office can exercise in relation to good character matters such as the seriousness, the length of time since the issue occurred, and the individual’s age at the time of the behaviour. Every person’s case is different, so it is very important to raise these issues and put forward explanations in legal representations.
If you are looking to apply for British Citizenship then get in touch with us today to discuss your case and how we can help.
