Who cannot apply for a British passport?

Asked by: Cathrine Larson  |  Last update: February 18, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (17 votes)

You generally cannot get a British passport if you're not a British citizen or don't hold another type of British nationality; even citizens can be refused if suspected of serious crime, have court travel bans, owe money from prior repatriation, or fail "good character" tests, while non-citizens might be ineligible if they don't meet citizenship requirements (like residency, English skills, or the Life in the UK test) or have broken immigration laws.

Who cannot get a British passport?

you're suspected of a serious crime and an arrest warrant has been issued. a court order stops you having a UK passport or restricts your travel. you're on bail and bail conditions mean you cannot leave the UK. you've been brought back to the UK before at the government's expense and have not repaid what you owe.

What disqualifies you from getting a passport?

You can be stopped from getting a passport due to legal issues like felony drug convictions, federal warrants, or owing over $2,500 in child support; financial problems, such as seriously delinquent federal taxes or defaulted federal loans; or administrative errors on your application, like missing information, incorrect photos, or inadequate proof of citizenship. National security concerns and specific sex/human trafficking offenses can also lead to denial.
 

What are the new rules for British passports?

Dual British citizens can no longer rely on a non-UK passport alone to travel to the UK. There have been no changes to the British Passport Dual Citizenship status rules, but UK border entry proof requirements are becoming stricter.

Can I get a British passport if my grandparents were British?

You may be able to apply for British citizenship by double descent if: You and one of your parents were not in a Commonwealth country, and you were born before 1915, or. You or one of your parents were born in a former British territory, or. You had a grandmother or mother who was married to a British man before 1949.

British Citizenship By Birth Or Descent 🇬🇧 | Do You Qualify For UK Citizenship?

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How many generations can you go back for UK citizenship?

You can usually claim British citizenship through a grandparent (double descent) if they were born in the UK or were British otherwise than by descent, but it often requires specific conditions, especially regarding birth dates (pre-1983 rules are different) and your parents' marriage/citizenship status, with claims past a grandparent (triple descent) being rare and complex, often needing ties to former British territories or specific historical contexts, as citizenship generally only passes down one generation born abroad automatically. 

Can I claim citizenship through deceased ancestors?

You may qualify for citizenship by descent if you can prove a direct biological connection to an ancestor who was a citizen of the country at the time your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was born.

Can you have a British and American passport at the same time?

Both the UK and US allow dual citizenship so Americans who would like to apply for British citizenship are able to maintain both citizenships. There is no specific application process to apply for American British dual nationality – all you need to do is to apply to become a UK citizen.

Who is eligible for free British passport?

Who is eligible? You can get or renew a British passport for free if you are a British national born on, or before, 2nd September 1929. Learn more about how to pay and the application process on the GOV.UK website.

How to apply for a British passport from the USA?

If you are applying for your British passport whilst you are in the USA you will need to apply using the online application forms, once you have completed the forms you will need to print and send them to Her Majesty's passport office alongside your supporting documents.

Who cannot apply for a passport?

Some reasons to deny a passport include: A valid, unsealed federal warrant of arrest. A federal or state criminal court order. A condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court)

What are reasons someone cannot get a passport?

Here's who can't get a passport:

  • You owe child support.
  • You missed payments on a loan from the U.S. Department of State.
  • You failed to pay taxes or debts.
  • You have a felony conviction.
  • There are court orders in your name.

What is a passport denial list?

Under the program, the federal Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) submits a record of parents certified by a state as having arrearages exceeding $2,500 to the State Department. The State Department denies the parents U.S. passports upon application or the use of a passport service.

Can an UK citizen be denied a passport?

British citizens can also be refused a passport or have their passport withdrawn. British passports are issued at the discretion of the Home Secretary under the royal prerogative (an executive power which does not require legislation). They can be withdrawn or withheld using the same discretionary power.

Why would a British citizenship be refused?

Common reasons for British Citizenship refusal include failing the good character test, not meeting residence or absence limits, or missing Home Office correspondence. Unlike other visa routes, there is no right of appeal for a British Citizenship refused decision.

What is the new rule about British citizenship?

The new law means that a person who has succeeded in their appeal against a deprivation order and who previously would have had their British citizenship reinstated at that point as though the deprivation had never been made, will not have their citizenship reinstated until the Home Secretary has exhausted her appeal ...

Can I get a British passport if my grandfather was British?

Overview. Under certain circumstances, you can apply for citizenship if one of your grandparents was born in the UK or was a British citizen at the time of your birth. This route is known as British citizenship by Double Descent. Whether you are eligible for this route or not depends on when you were born.

What are the new rules on British passports?

After Brexit the UK became 'third-country nationals', meaning two new conditions for UK travellers to the EU and wider Schengen Area.

  • Adult passports must have been issued less than ten years on the date you depart.
  • There must be three months left until the expiry date on the day you intend to return home.

Which passport is required for dual nationality in the UK?

The Home Office has been advising British dual nationals to travel on a British passport or with a certificate of entitlement for many months.

Should I travel with both passports if I am a dual citizen?

Yes, dual citizens generally need to travel with both passports to comply with laws, using the U.S. passport to enter/exit the U.S. and the other country's passport to enter/exit that country, which avoids visa issues and ensures you're treated as a citizen by each nation's immigration. Always carry both, as you'll show the U.S. passport at U.S. borders and your other passport at your destination's border, proving your right to be there and receive consular assistance if needed. 

Is it better to have US or UK citizenship?

The US is more extensive, has different landscapes, time zones, and climatic conditions, and is more culturally diverse. The UK, on the other hand, offers better healthcare. Although both countries have different histories and cultures, their requirements for obtaining citizenship are similar.

What is the easiest country to get citizenship by ancestry?

The 5 Easiest Countries to Get Dual Citizenship

  1. Ireland. Ireland is one of several countries that grants citizenship if you have family members, such as grandparents, who were Irish citizens. ...
  2. Italy. Italy offers an easy pathway to citizenship for people whose ancestors were born there. ...
  3. Israel. ...
  4. Paraguay. ...
  5. Dominica.

What are three ways you can lose your citizenship?

You can lose citizenship through voluntary acts like renouncing it or naturalizing in another country with intent to give up your original one, involuntary denaturalization for fraud, or through specific serious actions like treason or serving in a foreign military against your country, though these acts require proving intent to relinquish citizenship. The three main paths involve voluntary renunciation, involuntary denaturalization (for fraud/crimes), and specific expatriating acts like joining foreign military forces or taking foreign oaths.