How British dual citizenship works: Can you apply?

If you’re an expat living in the United Kingdom, you might be considering taking up British citizenship. Becoming a British citizen means you can come and go freely from the UK, you can vote and run for public office, and have access to the National Health Service.

There are lots of advantages to becoming a British citizen. But what if you don’t want to give up your original nationality to do so?

Taking up dual citizenship might be the answer. In this guide, we’ll answer questions such as does the UK allow dual citizenship, who can apply, and what are the costs.

Can you have dual citizenship in the United Kingdom?

So, can you have dual citizenship in the UK? The answer is yes, if you fulfil the criteria and submit an application.¹

But whether or not this works for you will depend on your original citizenship, as some other countries don’t accept dual nationalities. In this case, you might be forced by the law in your home country to give up your original citizenship at the point that you become a British national.¹

📚 Citizenship by descent

Which major countries don’t allow dual citizenship with the United Kingdom?

The laws regarding dual nationality are complex, and if you’re considering taking up a second citizenship you might want to seek legal advice from an immigration lawyer or immigration advisor.

Ultimately, whether you can take dual citizenship of the UK depends in part on your country of origin. There are a number of countries which don’t allow dual citizenship, regardless of the circumstances.

This list includes:²

• China
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Myanmar
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Vietnam

Which countries allow dual citizenship with the United Kingdom?

Some countries allow dual citizenship without restriction, while others have certain rules in place, which means you can only accept a second citizenship from certain countries. For instance, Pakistan has a limited number of countries which it approves for second citizenship, and the UK is one of them.³

Some of the main countries which accept dual citizenship with the UK include:⁴

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• France
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Pakistan
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United States.

Can you get triple citizenship in the United Kingdom?

Triple citizenship, also referred to as multiple citizenship, is allowed in the United Kingdom. You don’t need to give up previous nationalities when you apply to become a British citizen, and holding other citizenships won’t affect your application for British citizenship.⁵

How many nationalities are you actually allowed to have?

There’s no limit to the number of nationalities you can have in the eyes of British law. However, because many other countries do ban dual citizenship, or limit the terms under which people can hold multiple citizenships, this can effectively cap the number of citizenships any one individual can hold.⁵

How can you lose British citizenship?

You can choose to renounce your British citizenship if, for example, you want to take citizenship of a country which doesn’t allow dual nationality. You have to be over 18 and of sound mind, and renouncing your citizenship might mean that you no longer have the right to live in the UK.⁶

Additionally, you can lose your citizenship if it’s found that you’ve lied on your application and essentially committed fraud. Although it’s possible to lose your citizenship if you’re a British national by birth, it’s unusual, and usually only happens if someone is considered a threat to national security.⁷

What are the actual steps to becoming a citizen of the United Kingdom?

Here’s an outline of the steps you’ll have to take to become a British citizen:

• Ensure you meet the requirements, and are eligible for British citizenship
• Submit your application
• Pay your fee - currently this is £1,330 if you’re becoming a citizen by naturalisation⁸
• Provide biometric information - usually fingerprints and a photo
• You may be invited to an interview
• You may have to sit a ‘Life in the UK’ test, depending on your circumstances⁸
• Assuming your application is approved, you’ll attend a citizenship ceremony.

How long does it take to become a British citizen?

Before you can apply to become a British citizen you have to fulfil some fairly strict requirements. One of them is based on your residency, and states that you usually need to have lived in the UK for 5 years prior to submitting your application.⁸

If you fulfil this requirement and send in your application, you should hear back to confirm that your paperwork has been received within about 4-8 weeks. A fast-track service is available if you need your passport sooner.⁸

Do I need to inform both countries that I want to obtain new citizenship?

The short answer is - it depends.

The UK allows dual citizenship, so holding another nationality alongside British citizenship isn’t a problem in Britain. However, if your country of origin doesn’t allow dual nationality this could get tricky.

It’s best to check with an immigration lawyer, or your local embassy or consulate, if you have a duty to inform your home country of your intentions. Do this before you start the process to become a British citizen, to make sure you don’t fall foul of the law.

Cost of British citizenship

After you’ve determined which countries allow dual citizenship and what steps you have to take, it’s time to look into the exact costs. British citizenship is not cheap, so time won’t be the only thing you’re investing.

As mentioned before, the application fee itself is £1,330, but make sure to add in another £80 for the ceremony costs. The biometric enrolment fee is around £20.⁷

Also, the UK nationality test or the so-called ‘Life in the UK’ test will set you back £50.⁹ Keep in mind that, in some cases, you’ll need to show a certain knowledge of the English language in order to apply for citizenship, too. Only approved test providers are accepted, and the price of the IELTS Life Skills Test starts at £170.¹⁰

You always have the option of consulting an immigration lawyer to help you with the whole process. Law firms and legal fees vary greatly, depending on the office and its location.

Some people may only need to apply for a British passport, not citizenship, so check if this is the case for you first. You can find out more about the process and the cost of a British passport on the official government website.

Trying to save time and money? Wise could help

If you have, or hope to acquire dual nationality, chances are that you live and work away from your home country, or frequently need to travel.

Juggling your life between different countries can cause some practical headaches - and be costly. This is especially so, when it comes to moving your money between accounts held in different countries and currencies.

The Wise account is a neat solution for people who need their money to be flexible. You can hold your cash in any one of dozens of different currencies, all within one account, and see your balance at a glance. Then, when you want to convert money between currencies, you can do so.

With the Wise account, you can send money for low, transparent fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features and your money is safeguarded.

Open a Wise account 🌍

—

After reading this article hopefully you have a better idea of how to apply for dual citizenship as well as some practical considerations to keep in mind. Whether or not you can acquire British citizenship will depend on your country of origin - but for many expats who live and work in the UK, it's possible.

And if you’re splitting your time between two or more countries, then it also pays to think about solutions that make your money work for you. The Wise account could be a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders.

—

Sources used for this article:

1. Gov.uk - dual citizenship
2. Warren Law Firm - guide to dual citizenship
3. The Express Tribune - Pakistan dual nationality
4. Davidson Morris - UK dual citizenship
5. Sterling Law - dual citizenship in the UK
6. Gov.uk - renouncing British citizenship
7. Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors - losing British citizenship
8. Expatica - citizenship in the UK
9. Gov.uk - Life in the UK test
10. British Council - IELTS test

Sources last checked on date: 25-Apr-2025