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Who has the right to live in the United Kingdom?

This page explains who has the right to live permanently in the United Kingdom without any immigration restrictions. This is officially known as right of abode in the United Kingdom. It means you do not need an immigration officer's permission to enter the country and may live and work here without restriction.

All British citizens have the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Some Commonwealth citizens also have the right of abode.

If you wish to claim the right of abode, you must prove it by producing:

  • a United Kingdom passport describing you as a British citizen or a British subject with the right of abode; or
  • a United Kingdom identity card describing you as a British citizen or a British subject with the right of abode; or
  • a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the United Kingdom that has been issued by the Government of the United Kingdom or on its behalf.

Information about obtaining a United Kingdom passport is available from the Identity and Passport Service.

If you are not sure whether you have the right of abode, you may phone us for advice on 0845 010 5200.

How to apply for a replacement registration/naturalisation certificate

If you need to apply for a duplicate registration/naturalisation certificate because you have lost yours, you should complete and return the duplicate registration form which you can download from the right side of this page.

Our fees leaflet (2.0M opens in a new window) contains information about the fee you will have to pay when you apply.