Guidance

Good character: nationality policy guidance

Guidance on assessing the good character requirement in nationality applications.

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published
27 July 2017
Last updated
20 September 2022 — See all updates

Documents

Good character requirement (accessible version)

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Good character requirement

PDF, 412 KB, 54 pages

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Details

This guidance tells Home Office staff how to assess the good character requirement in relevant nationality applications.

It applies to:

  • all decisions made on or after 14 January 2019 which are as a result of a person’s association with war crimes or extremism
  • all new applications for citizenship made on or after 14 January 2019
Published 27 July 2017
Last updated 20 September 2022 + show all updates

  1. Added accessible and pdf of updated versions. Aligned with provisions on lawful residence introduced into the British Nationality Act 1981 (BNA) by section 9 and Schedule 1 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (NABA), and with differentiation of refugees in section 12 of the NABA 2022. There is also a new section on travel bans and clarification that a fine imposed under the coronavirus regulations counts as a fixed penalty notice. Finally, there is clarification that pending prosecutions include where a person is under investigation but has not yet been charged with an offence.

  2. Updated Good character: nationality policy guidance document

  3. Updated date in details section.

  4. Updated guidance.

  5. Updated guidance.

  6. Updated guidance on good character requirement published.

  7. Updated document.

  8. First published.