Right of Abode (United Kingdom) Totally Explained

Everything about Right Of Abode United Kingdom totally explained

Right of Abode is a status under United Kingdom immigration laws that gives an unrestricted right to live in the United Kingdom. It was introduced by the Immigration Act 1971.

British citizens

All British citizens have the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom.

Commonwealth citizens and British subjects

Additionally, Right of Abode is also conferred on the following Commonwealth citizens and British subjects

born before 1983 with a UK-born mother (those born before 1983 and legitimately descended from a UK-born father are British citizens, whether or not they're Commonwealth citizens/British subjects)
adopted before 1983 by a UK born mother
a woman married before 1983 to a man who had right of abode

For this purpose, the UK includes the Republic of Ireland prior to 1 April 1922.
No person born in 1983 or later can hold Right of Abode unless he or she's a British citizen.
It is essential that the person concerned should have held Commonwealth citizenship or British subject status on 31 December 1982 and not ceased to be a Commonwealth citizen (even temporarily) after that date.

Citizens of South Africa and Pakistan

For this reason, citizens of South Africa and Pakistan are generally not entitled to Right of Abode as these countries were not Commonwealth members on 1 January 1983. Citizens of Zimbabwe were still considered Commonwealth citizens (for nationality purposes) after that country's withdrawal from the Commonwealth because the UK didn't amend Schedule 3 to the British Nationality Act 1981.

Privileges of Right of Abode

Right of Abode held by non-British citizens is evidenced by a stamp in the holder's passport and confers the following rights:

an unconditional right to live, work and study in the United Kingdom

entitlement to use the British/EEA immigration channel at United Kingdom ports of entry

Right of Abode holders may apply for British citizenship by naturalisation after meeting the normal residence requirements

Children born in the United Kingdom to Right of Abode holders will normally be British citizens by birth automatically.

entitlement to apply for United Kingdom social security and welfare benefits

as all Right of Abode holders are Commonwealth citizens there's a right to vote and stand for public office in the United Kingdom

Other United Kingdom immigration concessions

United Kingdom immigration laws allow settlement to other categories of persons, however although similar in practice these don't constitute a formal Right of Abode and the full rights of Right of Abode are not necessarily available:

Irish Citizens and the Common Travel Area

Because of the Common Travel Area provisions between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, Irish citizens have a de-facto right of abode in the United Kingdom.
However, with the exception of those Irish persons born before 1949 who have reclaimed British subject status, the entitlement to reside in the United Kingdom isn't unconditional, and Irish citizens (who are not also British citizens) are subject to removal and deportation from the UK.

EEA and Swiss Nationals in the UK

In the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2000, the United Kingdom declared that most citizens of EEA member states and their family members should only be treated as having a conditional right to reside in the UK.
This has implications should such a person wish to remain permanently in the United Kingdom after ceasing employment, claim social assistance, apply for naturalisation or acquire British citizenship for a UK born child.
Those EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who will be treated as permanent residents of the UK include:

certain persons who have retired from employment or self-employment in the UK and their family members

those who have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain

Irish citizens (because of the Common Travel Area provisions) These persons remain liable to deportation on public security grounds. Immigration and Nationality Directorate | EEA/EU Nationals

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Indefinite Leave to Remain is a form of UK permanent residence but doesn't confer a Right of Abode.

British Overseas Territories

All British overseas territories operate their own immigration controls which apply to British citizens as well as to those from other countries. These territories generally have local immigration laws regulating who has Belonger status in that territory.

Further Information

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