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Prove you have right of abode in the UK

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1. Overview

Having the right of abode means you’re allowed to live or work in the UK without any immigration restrictions.

If you have the right of abode, you do not need a visa or electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to come to the UK.

There’s no limit on the length of time you can spend in the country.

All British citizens automatically have the right of abode in the UK.

Some Commonwealth citizens may also have the right of abode.

You can prove you have the right of abode if you have a UK passport describing you as a British citizen or British subject with the right of abode.

Otherwise you need to apply for a ‘certificate of entitlement’.

2. Commonwealth citizens

If you’re part of the ‘Windrush generation’ (also known as ‘Windrush cases’), there’s a different way to prove your right to live in the UK.

You may have the right of abode in the UK either because of your parents or because you are or were married to someone with the right of abode.

Parents

You have the right of abode if all the following apply:

  • one of your parents was born in the UK and a citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies when you were born or adopted
  • you were a Commonwealth citizen on 31 December 1982
  • you did not stop being a Commonwealth citizen (even temporarily) at any point after 31 December 1982

Marriage

You can only get the right to abode through marriage if you’re a female Commonwealth citizen.

You must have:

  • been married to someone with the right of abode before 1 January 1983
  • not stopped being a Commonwealth citizen (even temporarily) at any point after 31 December 1982

You usually will not have the right of abode if the person you were married to has another living wife or widow who:

  • is in the UK, or has been in the UK at any time since her marriage (unless they entered the country illegally, came as a visitor or only have temporary permission to stay)
  • has a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode or permission to enter the UK because of her marriage

However, you may still have the right of abode if:

  • you entered the UK while married and before 1 August 1988, even if your husband has other wives in the UK
  • you’ve been in the UK since your marriage and at that time were your husband’s only wife to have legally entered the UK or been given permission to do so

3. Apply for a certificate of entitlement

A certificate of entitlement can be used to prove your right of abode in the UK. For example, when you travel to the UK or need to prove your right to live and work in the UK.

How you apply depends on whether you’re inside or outside the UK.

You cannot get a certificate if you already have a British passport or a valid certificate of entitlement vignette sticker in another foreign passport.

How much it costs

It costs £589 to apply.

What you’ll get

If your application is approved, you’ll get a digital certificate of entitlement. This is a digital record of your right of abode, which you access online. You’ll need to set up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account if you do not already have one.

If you have a vignette sticker in your passport

You can use your vignette sticker until your passport expires.

You can also change your vignette sticker to a digital certificate. It’s free to change.

You’ll need to set up a UKVI account, if you do not already have one.

After you change to a digital certificate, you will not have to make another application or pay the fee when your passport expires.

If your passport with your certificate of entitlement expired before 26 February 2026, you’ll need to make a new application.

How to use your certificate of entitlement

Your digital certificate is not a visa. It does not expire so you will not need to make another application when your passport expires.

Instead, you will have to update your UKVI account when your passport or personal details change.

You can view your certificate and use it to get a share code if you need to prove your immigration status, for example when you travel, rent a property or start a new job.

If you’re a dual citizen travelling to the UK

You may be able to travel to the UK using another type of permission, for example if you settled in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. Find out more about travelling to the UK if you are a dual citizen.

Apply in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

Read the guidance to check you can apply.

Fill in the form online. You’ll usually be able to keep your documents while your application is being processed.

You can also download the application form and guidance to apply by post.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

  • do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
  • do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

How long it takes

You’ll usually get a decision on your application within 8 weeks of applying online and sending in your documents by post.

If your application is approved, your decision email or letter will tell you how to access your certificate of entitlement.

Apply from outside the UK or from a British overseas territory

If you are not in the UK, or you live in a British overseas territory, you must apply online.

How long it takes

You’ll usually get a decision on your application within 3 weeks of attending an appointment at a visa application centre.

If your application is approved, your decision email or letter will tell you how to access your certificate of entitlement.

North Korea

You cannot apply online if you’re living in North Korea.

To apply from North Korea you must:

If your application is refused

You can apply to have your application reconsidered if you think UKVI did not make the decision in line with the law or their policy.

Your application fee will not be refunded if your application is refused because you do not qualify for right of abode or you did not send in enough evidence to support your claim.