Zimbabwe - Passport & Nationality - British Nationality for Rhodesians

Listen to our BRITISH NATIONALITY WEBINAR where our two British nationality experts - Philip Gamble and Mishal Patel - discuss a family birth in Rhodesia and its implications for claims to British nationality in the modern day.

You could be eligible for British citizenship from your links to Rhodesia and Southern Africa in the following circumstances:

Born between 1 Jan 1949 and 31 Dec 1982

• You were born in Northern Rhodesia, Bechuanaland, Nyasaland, Swaziland or Basutoland before these territories gained Independence and you have a UK-born grandparent;
• You were born in South West Africa before 30 May 1962 and you have a UK-born grandparent;
• You have a parent born in Southern Rhodesia before 12 Sep 1923 and that parent had a parent born in the UK;
• You have a parent born in South West Africa between 1920 and 30 May 1962 and that parent had a parent born in the UK;
• You have a parent born in Northern Rhodesia, Bechuanaland, Nyasaland, Swaziland or Basutoland before these territories gained Independence and you have a UK-born grandparent;
• You were born in South Africa after 31 May 1962 but before 1 Jan 1983, and have a UK-born grandparent;

Born after 31 Dec 1982

• You have a parent born in Northern Rhodesia, Bechuanaland, Nyasaland, Swaziland or Basutoland before 1 Jan 1949 and that parent had a parent born in the UK; OR
• You have a parent born in the Kenya Colony, and that parent had a parent born in the UK.

Other scenarios that can lead to a claim to British Nationality are:

• You were born to a parent* (father or mother) who was born in the UK before 1 Jan 1983;
• You were born after 31 Dec 1948, your parents were married before 1 Jan 1949 and your paternal grandfather (your dad’s dad) was born in the UK.

* new nationality legislation will give those born out of wedlock the opportunity to claim. 

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 do I find out if I have a claim to 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

 

Other than through family ancestry, the most common route to British Nationality is often through residency in the UK while on a UK Ancestry Visa. This Ancestry Visa for the UK is available to a Zimbabwean aged 17 or over, and entitles you to live and work in the UK. It is possible to obtain a UK Ancestry Visa Extension, and then then to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) leading to British Nationality.

STATUS OF ZIMBABWE (formerly Rhodesia)

From 04.06.1891, Southern Rhodesia as a foreign country in which the Crown exercised extra-territorial jurisdiction.

Between 12.09.1923 and 31.12.1948, the Colony of Southern Rhodesia was within the Crown Dominions.

From 01.01.1949 until 28.02.1958, Southern Rhodesia was an independent Commonwealth country.

Between 01.03.1958 and 31.12.1963, it was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, an independent Commonwealth country.

From 01.01.1964 until 17.04.1980, it was Southern Rhodesia, an independent Commonwealth country.

From 18.04.1980 until the present day, it was known as Zimbabwe and was an independent Commonwealth country.