Citation, commencement and interpretation

1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the British Nationality (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 and come into force on 1st December 2020.

(2) In these Regulations, “the 2003 Regulations” means the British Nationality (General) Regulations 2003( 2 ).

Amendment to Regulation 5A

2. —(1)Regulation 5A (knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom) of the 2003 Regulations( 3 ) is amended as follows.

(2) For paragraph (5)(a) substitute—

“ (a) held indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands within the meaning of section 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 as at 1st January 1973; and

(aa) holds such leave (whether or not that leave has been held continuously since 1st January 1973); and ” .

(3) In paragraph (7)(a)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (ii) omit “or;”

(b) at the end of paragraph (iii) insert “or;”

(c) after paragraph (iii) insert—

“ (iv) a person who would be (or would have been at the time of their death) a relevant pre-1973 entrant but for a subsequent lapse in their indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands;. ” .

Amendment to Schedule 2A

3. —(1)Paragraph 2 (specified English speaking countries) of Schedule 2A (specified English language tests and English speaking countries) to the 2003 Regulations( 4 ) is amended as follows.

(2) After sub-paragraph (j) insert—

“ (ja) Malta; ” .