Can my child get citizenship.

[AntCoe]

Hello All.

I am a british citizen by naturalisation after my son was born. I was born in South Africa. My child was born in 2001 (South Africa) and is now 15 years old. He has never been to the UK. His mother and i never married but i am named as his father on his birth certificate.

Can i apply on his behalf for BC ? I would like him to stay with me permanently and to further his education here in the UK.

Thanks.

[CR001]

No he cannot as he does not qualify for British Citizenship if he was born BEFORE you became British.

Even for a child settlement visa, you would have to prove with documentary evidence that you have sole responsibility.

[avjones]

You son isn't a British Citizen, because you were not when he was born.

Who does he live with at the moment in South Africa?

[AntCoe]

He lives with his mother. Thanks

[vinny]

Unlikely.

[AntCoe]

What about a dependant visa or any route that will lead to BC ?

[vinny]

Difficult.

[avjones]

Very, very unlikely. He lives with his mother, so is excluded as a child of a BC because you don't have sole responsibility.

[Casa]

In addition to the advice you have been given, visa/BC applications for children born to unmarried parents, now generally requires DNA evidence from the father.