This page explains the purpose of a certificate of entitlement to right of abode. A certificate of entitlement to right of abode in the United Kingdom is proof of your right to live and work in the United Kingdom without any immigration restrictions. The certificate will be issued only if you have right of abode but do not have another way of proving it, for example a United Kingdom passport or identity card showing you to be a British citizen or British subject with right of abode.

The certificate is placed in a valid passport and expires when the passport expires. To have a certificate in your new passport, you must apply for one again.

If you have a certificate that was issued after 21 December 2006, it can be withdrawn if the Home Office find out that you no longer qualify for one or if an official order is made to remove your right of abode.

If you are in the United Kingdom, the UK Border Agency will deal with your application. If you are in another country, you must apply to the nearest British diplomatic post.

There is a fee for each application. If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom, your British diplomatic post can tell you what the fee is.

Before you make your application you should read the page on certificates of entitlement to right of abode to make sure you qualify to be issued with a certificate. If your application is refused because you do not qualify for right of abode, or you do not send enough evidence to support your claim, your fee will not be refunded.

If the Home Office refuses your application, you will have the right to appeal against the decision. The Home Office will tell you about this when they send you the decision.