Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of suspending the requirement to attend a citizenship ceremony during the outbreak of covid-19.

The citizenship ceremony is an important part of becoming a British citizen. Citizenship ceremonies have now resumed with reduced capacity due to social distancing measures in line with government guidelines. Local Authorities are also conducting virtual ceremonies where possible.

The usual deadline for a person to attend a ceremony within three months of their application being approved has been extended to six months. Advice regarding COVID-19 impacts on Citizenship ceremonies is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies.

There is discretion to waive the requirements to make the oath and pledge and attend a ceremony in the special circumstances of an individual case.