Malawi
Malawi
Listen to our BRITISH NATIONALITY WEBINAR on Malawi where our two British nationality experts - Philip Gamble and Mishal Patel - discuss a family birth in Nyasaland and its implications for claims to British nationality in the modern day.
Nyasaland (the former name for Malawi) was a British Protectorate up to 05.07.1964. You could be eligible for British citizenship if you were:
- Born between 01.01.1949 and 31.12.1982, a parent was born in Nyasaland before 05.07.1964 and that parent had a parent born in the UK;
- Born between 01.01.1949 and 05.07.1964 in Nyasaland, and you have a UK-born grandparent; OR
- Born after 31.12.1982, a parent was born in Nyasaland before 1949 and that parent had a UK-born grandparent.
There are hundreds of other ways to qualify. As a general rule, if you were born in a country that is different to either parent or any of your grandparents, or you have a connection back to the UK, Ireland or a former British Territory, then you might have a claim.
How can I find out if I can claim British nationality?
We suggest following our 4 STEP PROCESS, designed to simplify the complex laws of British nationality and to avoid unnecessary and expensive application fees, to find your answer:
Step 1: Determine whether you have a Standard Route (birth in the UK before 1983, or a parent born in the UK before 1983)
Step 2: If not, complete our free Nationality Assessment
Step 3: Order a free Status Trace
Step 4: Conduct a Citizenship Report
STATUS OF MALAWI (formerly Nyasaland)
From 21.09.1889 until 28.02.1958, Nyasaland was a British Protectorate.
Between 01.03.1958 until 31.12.1963, it was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, an independent Commonwealth country but still treated as a Protectorate.
From 01.01.1964 until 05.07.1964, it was a British Protectorate.
From 06.07.1964 until the present day, it was an independent Commonwealth country.
Click here for more information on the status of a British Protected Person (based on birth in a British Protectorate).