UK Chagossian Descendant Citizenship
United Kingdom
Citizenship
Could you qualify?
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See if you're a match →Direct descendants of someone born in the British Indian Ocean Territory can apply for British Overseas Territories citizenship and British citizenship under the Chagossian descendant route.
- Type
- British and BOTC registration
- Who it covers
- Direct descendants of someone born in BIOT
- Deadline
- 23 Nov 2027 for adults who were 18+ on 23 Nov 2022
- Core records
- Direct-line birth, marriage, and identity records
Summary
The UK has a special citizenship route for direct descendants of someone born in the British Indian Ocean Territory. GOV.UK says an eligible person can apply to become both a British Overseas Territories Citizen and a British citizen.
Direct descendant means a child, grandchild, great-grandchild, or similar direct-line descendant. It does not include aunts, uncles, siblings, or cousins. Some applicants face a time limit, so the deadline matters.
Eligibility
You may be a fit if:
- You are the direct descendant of someone born in the British Indian Ocean Territory (yourself, a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or older direct ancestor).
- You have never previously been a British Overseas Territories Citizen, British dependent territories citizen, or British citizen — or you already hold one of those two statuses and need the other.
- You can provide identity records and records showing the direct family line.
Eligibility Deadline
If you were already 18 or older on 23 November 2022, GOV.UK says you need to apply by 23 November 2027. Otherwise, the deadline is before your 23rd birthday.
What This Route Allows
If you qualify, you can apply to become both a British Overseas Territories Citizen and a British citizen. British citizenship comes with the right to a British passport. If you already hold one of the two statuses, you may still be able to apply for the other.
What This Route Is Not
- A general immigration or visa route.
- Open to non-direct relatives — aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins do not qualify on their own.
- Without a deadline — adults who were 18 or older on 23 November 2022 must apply by 23 November 2027.
- Already needed if you hold both British citizenship and British Overseas Territories citizenship — in that case the route is usually already complete.
Next Steps
- Confirm your direct family line to someone born in the British Indian Ocean Territory.
- Check which deadline applies to you based on your age on 23 November 2022.
- Gather birth certificates, marriage or civil partnership certificates, name-change records, and other documents connecting each generation.
- Note any gaps in your records — GOV.UK says UKVI can look for more detail if some relative records are missing.
- Review the GOV.UK guidance and apply before your deadline.