Talk:Right of abode in the United Kingdom

Unless anyone can cite an official source, more official than the BHC in Ottawa, stating otherwise, I'll edit the page to include that a father can also confer (perhaps not the best word) Right of Abode status onto their Commonwealth children, before January 1, 1983. I wouldn't think the British government would make a mistake like that (which is also on the application). 72.141.132.137 01:49, 25 May 2006 (UTC)DBN

A child born before 1983 with a British born or naturalised father is usually a British citizen. In this context, Right of Abode refers to those citizens of Commonwealth countries who are not British citizens. Those born before 1983 with a British mother are usually not British citizens (they may have an entitlement to registration) but are entitled to Right of Abode. JAJ 17:54, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

The confusion may arise because (a) although British citizens have the right of abode in the UK, some people have the right of abode although they are not British citizens; and (b) British citizens who are also citizens of another country are entitled to have a certificate of entitlement (to the right of abode) inserted in their non-British passport (now provided that they don't also hold a British passport) if they want to.

Under the heading 'Commonwealth citizens and British subjects', some of the information is misleading. For example, the first point says that: "Additionally, Right of Abode is also conferred on the following Commonwealth citizens and British subjects: ... born before 1983 with a UK born parent."

This is true, but the point is that those born before 1983 with a UK-born mother are not automatically British citizens (some now have the right to register as such) but have the right of abode in the UK nonetheless. Those born legitimately to UK-born fathers, whether they themselves are Commonwealth citizens/British subjects or not, are in general British citizens (and thereby have the right of abode, of course - but this article is essentially about people who have the right of abode but who are not British citizens).

Before and After 1983

This article left me wondering why the rules changed for those who became citizens after 1983. Does anyone know why? Or what rights are extended to thos who became Commonwealth citizens after that date? GBMorris 03:05, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

In 1981, the British government decided that in future, Right of Abode would only be held by British citizens. This came into effect on 1 January 1983. Commonwealth citizens and British subjects with Right of Abode on 31 December 1982 were allowed to keep that status (provided they remained citizens of a Commonwealth nation or British subjects), but those acquiring citizenship of a Commonwealth nation after that date were no longer eligible for it. However those who acquire Commonwealth citizenship during or after 1983 are still entitled to apply for the Ancestry Visa. JAJ 04:40, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

And don't forget that those who became British citizens after 1983 do have the right of abode in the United Kingdom. When people talk loosely about someone 'having the right of abode in the UK', they are usually talking about the status of people in those residual groups who have the right of abode without being British citizens. The existence of such groups of people is unusual, and the changes that came into effect in 1983 (from the 1981 Act) were the beginning of an attempt to bring the right of abode into line with citizenship (as it is in most countries). But it was decided that those who already had the right of abode but who did not become British citizens under the 1981 Act ought nevertheless to retain that right for the rest of their lives (barring changes in their individual circumstances, such as ceasing to be a British subject or, as the case may be, a Commonwealth citizen).

Picture of "British Subject, with abode status"

See here https://i.imgur.com/UlnJwdA.jpg -- someone knowledgeable on how could use for commons upload, perhaps. --Jimthing (talk) 00:31, 20 July 2019 (UTC)