In what lawyers call the first successful challenge to the government’s new ‘good-character’ policy, a 48-year-old woman who fled rape and torture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 18 years ago has been granted British citizenship following a High Court judicial-review claim.
Under rules introduced in February 2025, refugees who arrive via unauthorised routes are normally refused citizenship on the grounds of poor character, even if they were later granted asylum. The claimant—whose identity is protected—entered the UK on a forged passport arranged by a smuggler, was recognised as a refugee in 2009 and has three British-born children. In July her £1,600 citizenship application was rejected, prompting a legal challenge that argued the policy conflicts with Article 31 of the 1951 Refugee Convention protecting refugees who use irregular travel documents.
Shortly before the December hearing, the Home Office reversed its decision and invited her to a citizenship ceremony. Although the department insists the policy remains intact, immigration lawyers say the climb-down creates a precedent that other long-settled refugees can invoke. The Refugee Council estimates that 71,000 people could be affected.
![Refugee who entered UK on false passport wins citizenship after Home Office U-turn]()
For anyone caught in similarly complex immigration mazes—including companies supporting staff to secure the right status—VisaHQ offers hands-on assistance with UK paperwork, from visa applications to citizenship submissions, guiding clients through forms, evidence requirements and tight deadlines. Their London-based specialists can be reached at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/ for tailored advice that helps minimise the risk of refusals and delays.
Practically, the case will increase the workload of corporate mobility teams helping senior staff or dependent family members move from refugee to British status, as additional documentary evidence may be required to demonstrate ‘exceptional circumstances’.
Campaigners are now pressing ministers to rewrite the policy to bring it in line with international law and to introduce refund mechanisms for applicants who are refused on good-character grounds.
Under rules introduced in February 2025, refugees who arrive via unauthorised routes are normally refused citizenship on the grounds of poor character, even if they were later granted asylum. The claimant—whose identity is protected—entered the UK on a forged passport arranged by a smuggler, was recognised as a refugee in 2009 and has three British-born children. In July her £1,600 citizenship application was rejected, prompting a legal challenge that argued the policy conflicts with Article 31 of the 1951 Refugee Convention protecting refugees who use irregular travel documents.
Shortly before the December hearing, the Home Office reversed its decision and invited her to a citizenship ceremony. Although the department insists the policy remains intact, immigration lawyers say the climb-down creates a precedent that other long-settled refugees can invoke. The Refugee Council estimates that 71,000 people could be affected.
For anyone caught in similarly complex immigration mazes—including companies supporting staff to secure the right status—VisaHQ offers hands-on assistance with UK paperwork, from visa applications to citizenship submissions, guiding clients through forms, evidence requirements and tight deadlines. Their London-based specialists can be reached at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/ for tailored advice that helps minimise the risk of refusals and delays.
Practically, the case will increase the workload of corporate mobility teams helping senior staff or dependent family members move from refugee to British status, as additional documentary evidence may be required to demonstrate ‘exceptional circumstances’.
Campaigners are now pressing ministers to rewrite the policy to bring it in line with international law and to introduce refund mechanisms for applicants who are refused on good-character grounds.
