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Meghan Markle’s path to British citizenship

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Updated on July 5, 2023

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Meghan Markle is about to marry into the British royal family, but that does not imply she will become a British citizen immediately.

When the engagement was announced in November 2017, Kensington Palace officials stated that Markle would have to go through the same procedure as anybody else seeking residence in the UK.

Similarly, the Daily Mail claims that Ms. Markle will become a British citizen after the wedding and that the process would take “a number of years,” with no effort to go around the country’s normal regulations.

Here’s what it means to be compliant with immigration laws.

Above the age of 18.
Of sound mind and able to think and make choices on your own
Have no prior felony convictions
Must have lived in the United Kingdom for at least three years (she will have to wait).
Indefinite permission to remain in the United Kingdom, or a permanent residency card or paperwork proving permanent residence (again, she’ll have to wait).

2. Becoming settled

One of the unavoidable criteria for obtaining British citizenship as the spouse of a British citizen is that the applicant be settled at the time of application. Paragraph 3(c) of Schedule 1 of the British Nationality Act 1981 imposes this requirement:

‘That on the date of the application he was not subject under the immigration laws to any restriction on the period for which he might remain in the United Kingdom.’

Non-EU individuals who enter the UK as the fiancee of an existing British citizen must marry within six months of arrival, according to TIME. But, as the rest of the world knows, that won’t be a problem since Harry and Meghan will marry in less than two weeks.

When Markle landed in the UK, she would have needed to apply for a family visa, which requires UK residents to have a minimum annual income of £18,600 or cash savings of £16,000 in order to bring a spouse into the country. We’re confident that wasn’t a problem since Harry has access to a sizable trust fund left by his late mother, Princess Diana, as well as income from his father.

A US citizen marrying a British person would usually take five years to become settled and therefore able to seek for naturalization.

3.She’ll have to determine whether or not she wants to remain a citizen of the United States.

Meghan will have to pay taxes with the IRS every year, just like the rest of us, since the United States is one of only two countries that tax its expatriates. She will not be required to file if she chooses to renounce her citizenship. Meghan may give up her passport since retaining it would entail exposing numerous royal financial secrets, which is a difficult decision.

Ms Markle may apply for settlement, commonly known as indefinite permission to stay or ILR, after she has lived in the United Kingdom for five years. The premium service application will set you back £2,999.

4.Meghan will be required to take a test.

Markle will be eligible to take the £50 Life in the UK test after three years in the UK.

Meghan, like the rest of people seeking to become British citizens, will have to pass a 24-question, 45-minute exam, according to TIME. The exam comprises of questions about British customs and traditions, which we are certain Meghan is well-versed in.

Family visa applications cost £1,464 and non-EU spouses of British Citizens also have to pass an English speaking exam – unless they come from a nation where English is an official language as Markle does.