US & UK Dual Citizenship: Advice & Application Support From Immigration Lawyers
The UK and US both allow dual citizenship, so eligible Americans can apply for British citizenship while keeping their US citizenship.
Our immigration lawyers can advise on your eligibility or handle your British citizenship application from start to finish. Call us today on +1 844 312 4979 or complete the quick enquiry form.
Does the UK Allow Dual Citizenship? US-UK Rules Explained 2026
Dual Citizenship is when a person holds British nationality and the nationality of another country at the same time.
The laws of both countries must allow dual citizenship. A large number of the world’s countries allow dual citizenships, including the US and the UK.
Having American British dual citizenship allows you to keep your citizenship status in the US while enjoying similar freedoms in the United Kingdom. This means you will have the right to live, work, rent, buy assets, and travel between the two countries with ease.
UK Dual Citizenship Requirements for Americans in 2026: Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for dual citizenship UK you must be a citizen of a country that also allows dual nationality.
The US does allow dual citizenship, so you are allowed to have American British dual citizenship.
For a US citizen to obtain dual British Citizenship the individual will also need to meet some British Citizenship requirements. These requirements vary depending on the route you are applying under but generally, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have held settled status for at least 12 months (unless married to a UK citizen)
- Be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the English language
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- Have not breached any UK immigration rules or laws
How to Get Dual Citizenship in the UK as an American: Step-by-Step
There is no application process specifically for American British dual citizenship. Both countries allow dual citizenship and US citizens who are granted British Citizenship will automatically have their dual citizenship status recognized in both countries. So, all you need to do is to apply to become a UK citizen.
There are several routes through which you can apply for British Citizenship, these include:
- British Citizenship by Naturalization
- British Citizenship by Marriage
- British Citizenship by Birth
- British Citizenship by Descent
- British Citizenship for Child Born Abroad
You can apply for British Citizenship online at the UK government website. To apply for citizenship you must fill in the application form and pay the application fee. It is also vital that you send a portfolio of supporting documents alongside your British Citizenship application to prove that you meet all of the requirements.
Benefits and Disadvantages of US-UK Dual Citizenship
Benefits of Holding US and UK Dual Citizenship
American British dual citizenship can be beneficial for many reasons, including having access to greater global mobility and improving your quality of life.
By holding American British dual citizenship you will be entitled to the same rights as both US and UK citizens. This means that with dual nationality you will be able to live and work in both countries without needing a visa or work permit. Holders of dual citizenship are also able to get access to public benefits if they are entitled to them and will have the right to study in either country as well as vote in their elections.
Once you have become a British Citizen you will also be able to apply for a UK passport. The advantages of carrying two passports are that you can travel more easily between the two countries. Having a passport removes the need for long-stay visas as well as any questioning about the purpose of your trip at customs upon arrival in the country. Moving between the two countries can be beneficial in situations where for example, a person has family in both countries, or conducts business in both countries.
Individuals who hold British dual nationality will also have access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Disadvantages and Tax Obligations of US-UK Dual Nationality
Whilst there are many benefits and privileges to holding American British dual citizenship there are also some drawbacks. These include the potential for double taxation and the usually lengthy and expensive process for obtaining dual citizenship. Another factor to consider is that you would become bound by the laws of two countries, not just one.
In terms of potential double taxation, you should note that US citizens who have dual citizenship with another country are still required to pay US taxes, even whilst they are not currently living as permanent residents in the US.
This rule requires you to pay U.S. taxes for life – even for income earned outside of the United States. This means that you have to pay double the tax on the same income to both the United States and to your other country of citizenship unless that country has an agreement with the United States permitting dual citizens not to have to pay “double taxation.”
Note also that persons who hold dual British citizenship cannot access diplomatic help from the British government when they are in their home country. This means that the UK government cannot offer help to US citizens who also hold British Citizenship whilst they are in the US.
If you would like to discuss the pros and cons of American British dual citizenship for your particular situation, get in touch with our experienced immigration attorneys, who will be able to discuss the merits as well as drawbacks with you.
UK Dual Citizenship Application Fees and Processing Times
You will need to pay fees when applying for British citizenship. The nationality registration fee is £1,540 for an adult and £1,000 for a child.
The cost of a citizenship ceremony is £130.
If you need to apply for a certificate of entitlement, the cost will be £589.
Once you have British citizenship, you can then apply for a British passport. The cost of a British passport is £102 for a standard passport and £116 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport.
Processing times vary but you can expect to wait around three to six months for a decision on your application.
How Immigration Lawyers help Americans get UK Dual Citizenship?
Applying for a second citizenship can seem complex, but our immigration lawyers can help you to understand the process of maintaining multiple citizenships. We provide a variety of high-quality services to guide you through the process.
We offer advice sessions, where one of our lawyers will discuss your circumstances with you and will let you know if you qualify for British Citizenship, as well as explaining what dual citizenship will mean for you. This session will give you the chance to ask our lawyers any questions you may have about American British dual citizenship.
Our immigration attorneys can also assist you with your British Citizenship application and will ensure that you are able to keep your American nationality when guiding you through each stage of your application process. We offer a number of services to assist you with this.
If you choose to get the help of IAS, you will be assigned a caseworker who will work with you one-on-one to gather and organize your supporting evidence. Your immigration attorney will also submit a detailed Letter of Representation to support your application, liaise with the UK government on your behalf, and can even help you to prepare for the Life in the UK test.
Our IAS attorneys will take care of every aspect of your application, for more details about the services our attorneys offer, or to find out more about dual citizenship UK, speak to one of our immigration experts today on +1 844 312 4979.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on August 23rd, 2026 at 3:33 pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
When US citizens apply for citizenship in another country this does not automatically jeopardize their American citizenship.
However, some US Citizens who apply for British Citizenship may not wish to have a second citizenship and don’t want to keep their US citizenship.
In this case, individuals who do not wish to have American British dual citizenship can voluntarily relinquish their US citizenship.
To do this, the person must apply for another nationality with the intention of relinquishing their American citizenship. This intent can be shown by a person’s statement or conduct.
You must be over the age of 18 years old to apply to become a British Citizen. If you would like your child to also have dual citizenship then you will need to register them as a UK citizen. This is done by a child’s parent on their behalf.
If your child is a US citizen and is successfully registered as a British Citizen, they will be able to maintain both of their nationalities.
A child born in the UK does not automatically have British Citizenship, this is something that many parents are not aware of. To be registered for citizenship at birth at least one of the child’s parents must be a British Citizen.
You can also find out more about how to register your child as a British citizen if they were born abroad and you, as their parent, are British: British Citizenship for child born abroad.
Yes. The United States generally permits its citizens to acquire foreign nationality without automatically losing their American citizenship. As long as you do not formally relinquish your US citizenship at a US Embassy or sign a formal oath of renunciation, you retain it. Becoming a British citizen does not affect your US passport.
There is no legal obligation to notify the US State Department that you have acquired British citizenship. US citizens with foreign financial accounts may also have FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) and FATCA (IRS Form 8938) reporting duties. These apply because of US citizenship itself — wherever the citizen lives — once foreign account or asset values cross the reporting thresholds. Consult a US tax advisor familiar with expat obligations.
Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain offences can result in refusal. The Home Office considers the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred, and the sentence imposed. Non-custodial sentences and old minor convictions are less likely to cause issues. Anyone with a criminal history should seek legal advice before applying.
No. A child born in the UK does not automatically become a British citizen unless at least one parent is a British citizen or has settled status (ILR) at the time of the child’s birth. American parents who are on a visa at the time their child is born will not pass on British citizenship automatically.
Yes, When you apply for British citizenship, you gain the right to live and work across all four nations of the UK — including Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You will hold a British passport regardless of which part of the UK you live in.
There is no separate Scottish citizenship.
US law requires you to enter and exit the United States on your US passport.
UK and Irish citizens must travel to the UK on a valid British passport and using your US passport alone risks being denied boarding. This is because the UK operates a digital permissions system where carriers verify travel authorisation automatically, and British citizens cannot apply for an ETA.
In other countries, you can use whichever passport you prefer as holding both is entirely legal.
The UK places no restrictions on its citizens holding a second nationality so any constraint is always the other country’s rules.
The US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, France, and most EU states permit it. Germany now allows dual citizenship following its June 2024 reform, reversing its longstanding restriction.
Countries that still prohibit dual citizenship include China, Japan, India, and Singapore, which generally require renunciation upon naturalising elsewhere.
Even where dual citizenship is permitted, some countries require formal notification or registration to retain your original nationality.
