Form ROA: guidance
Guidance to apply for a certificate of entitlement proving you have the right to live and work in the UK.
Documents
Details
Read the ROA guidance to find out if you can apply for a certificate of entitlement showing you have the right to live and work in the UK, or ‘right of abode’.
Updates to this page
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Updated the guide in the following sections: Changes to the certificate of entitlement to the right of abode, Expiry of certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the UK, Updating your photograph and Citizenship related queries.
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A new section "travel to the UK" has been added to the guidance.
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Updated to reflect that from 26 February 2026 certificates of entitlement will be a digital record.
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Updated guidance to add information about the Windrush Scheme; provide further clarity about who has the right of abode in the UK; add 'Citizenship-related queries' section; and amend 'Explanation of terms' section to clarify the meaning of being settled in a qualifying British overseas territory.
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The section 'OISC and immigration advice' has been updated to reflect OISC name change to Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
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Amended references to HMPO from 'Her Majesty' to 'His Majesty' and updated outdated links and email addresses.
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Added accessible version of document.
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First published.
Update history
2026-08-24 12:55
Updated the guide in the following sections: Changes to the certificate of entitlement to the right of abode, Expiry of certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the UK, Updating your photograph and Citizenship related queries.
2026-03-13 12:30
A new section “travel to the UK” has been added to the guidance.
2026-01-21 16:01
Updated to reflect that from 26 February 2026 certificates of entitlement will be a digital record.
2025-07-21 12:25
Updated guidance to add information about the Windrush Scheme; provide further clarity about who has the right of abode in the UK; add ‘Citizenship-related queries’ section; and amend ‘Explanation of terms’ section to clarify the meaning of being settled in a qualifying British overseas territory.
2025-04-17 12:30
The section ‘OISC and immigration advice’ has been updated to reflect OISC name change to Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
2023-06-22 10:06
Amended references to HMPO from ‘Her Majesty’ to ‘His Majesty’ and updated outdated links and email addresses.