Form B(OTA): guidance - GOV.UK Cookies on GOV.UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. View cookies Guidance Form B(OTA): guidance Guidance on registering as a British citizen for Irish citizens and certain types of British national. From: UK Visas and Immigration Published 22 March 2019 23 April 2026 See all updates Documents Guide B1: registration as a British citizen – a guide for British Overseas Territories citizens (accessible) HTML Guide B1: registration as a British citizen – a guide for British Overseas Territories citizens PDF 358 KB 21 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk . Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. Guide B2: registration as a British citizen following residence in the UK (accessible) HTML Guide B2: registration as a British citizen following residence in the UK PDF 344 KB 32 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk . Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. Guide B3: Registration as a British citizen – Irish citizens (accessible) HTML Guide B3: Registration as a British citizen – Irish citizens PDF 263 KB 29 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk . Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. Details Guidance on registering for British citizenship using form B(OTA). Use guide B1 if you’re a British Overseas Territories citizen. Use guide B2 if you have lived in the UK for 5 years and you’re a: British Overseas Territories citizen British National (Overseas) British Overseas citizen British subject British protected person Use guide B3 if you’re an Irish citizen. Updates to this page Published 22 March 2019 show all updates 23 April 2026 Updated guide B1: registration as a British citizen – a guide for British Overseas Territories citizens to provide information on how to destroy a biometric residence permit. Also updated the travelling to and from the UK after becoming a British citizen section. 13 March 2026 Guide B3, 'travelling to and from the UK' section: updated a reference to certificates of entitlement to the right of abode, following the change to digital certificates. 22 July 2025 The form B(OTA) guidance has been split into 3 guides, following the creation of a new route to citizenship for Irish citizens. 28 April 2025 Updated the section on good character. 15 April 2025 Updates to the guidance, including how to prove being free from immigration restrictions, evidence of identity, travel after submitting an application, citizenship ceremonies and returning BRPs. 8 April 2025 Updated the sections on how to prove being free from immigration restrictions, evidence of identity, travel after submitting an application, citizenship ceremonies, returning biometric residence permits and citizenship-related queries. 27 March 2025 Amended to reflect that a biometric residence permit can be used for 18 months from the date of expiry. 24 July 2024 Updated Form B(OTA): guidance to update the section on 'Citizenship ban' to reflect changes as a result of the Illegal Migration Act 2023. 4 October 2023 Document format and style updated. Outdated information removed or updated accordingly. References and links to fees updated. 26 July 2023 Guidance updated to reflect changes introduced by the Illegal Migration Act 2023 and revisions to the sections on good character, lawful residence and freedom from immigration time restrictions. 28 June 2022 The guidance has been amended to reflect the changes the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 has made to the requirements for British nationals registering as a British citizen based on a period of residence in the UK. 17 February 2022 Added accessible version of guide. 22 March 2019 First published. Sign up for emails or print this page Related content Is this page useful? Maybe Thank you for your feedback Help us improve GOV.UK To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab