Immigration Solicitors in the UK for Deprivation of British Citizenship of Albanians

If you are an Albanian national under investigation by the Home Office, our Immigration Law Solicitors can help you immediately.

Thousands of Albanian nationals arrived in the UK during the late 1990s and early 2000s, many of them claiming to be Kosovar refugees fleeing the Balkan conflict. They built lives, raised families, paid taxes, and, over the years, obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship. For some, these foundations now rest on a legal fault line. The Home Office has been actively investigating and stripping citizenship when the original claim to Kosovar citizenship turns out to have been false.

If you are an Albanian national caught up in this situation, you are likely dealing with a deprivation of citizenship notice, loss of the right to work, fear of removal, and deep uncertainty about your family’s future in the UK. You are not alone in this, and it is a situation Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors has been handling for clients for many years.

The firm understands both the historical context and the complex legal framework that applies to these cases. You can contact Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors for an honest, confidential discussion about your position and what can realistically be done to protect you and your family.

Why choose Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors to deal with the deprivation of British Citizenship of Albanians

These are not ordinary immigration cases. They involve intersections between nationality law, fraud allegations, human rights, the best interests of children and the exercise of the Home Secretary’s personal discretion. They demand Immigration Law Solicitors who understand all of these areas in depth.

Long track record representing Albanian nationals in deprivation cases

Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors has represented Albanian clients facing deprivation of citizenship proceedings for many years, including cases involving Albanian nationals who claimed Kosovar identity during the Balkan conflict. The firm has published detailed case studies on these matters, demonstrating deep familiarity with the factual patterns, the Home Office investigation process, and the available legal arguments.

This experience means we already understand the background: the advice given by networks and traffickers at the time, the reasons people felt unable to correct their accounts as adults, and the way lives became impossible to “unravel” because they were built on false documents.

Recognised expertise in deprivation of citizenship and human rights

Our firm is ranked as a top-tier immigration and human rights practice by The Legal 500 and has acted in some of the most significant deprivation-of-citizenship and immigration human rights cases heard in the UK courts and tribunals. Its senior lawyers, including cofounders Dr Bernard Andonian and Paul Gulbenkian, both former Immigration Judges, bring decades of courtroom and advisory experience to these proceedings.

Deprivation of citizenship work sits at the heart of the firm’s human rights practice, alongside related areas such as deportation challenges, removal cases, statelessness and Article 8 family and private life claims.

Deep understanding of Hysaj v Bakijasi

The 2017 Supreme Court decision in  R (Hysaj and others) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Bakijasi v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] UKSC 82, fundamentally changed the way the Home Office handles Albanian deprivation cases. Before that ruling, the Home Office had been treating many grants of citizenship to Albanian nationals as a “nullity”, declaring that the person had never been a British citizen at all. The Supreme Court held that this approach was unlawful and that the Home Office must instead follow the formal deprivation process under section 40(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981, with a right of appeal.

Since that ruling, the Home Office has been revisiting old cases and issuing fresh deprivation decisions. Our Immigration Law Solicitors understand precisely how these cases have evolved and use the full range of arguments available following Hysaj and subsequent case law, including challenges to materiality, the exercise of discretion and proportionality under Article 8.

Sensitive to the human reality behind each case

Many clients in this situation arrived in the UK as teenagers or young adults. Those around them advised them to claim to be from Kosovo because “it never failed”. Over two decades later, they have mortgages, careers, partners, and British children who have never known another country.

Our team treats these cases with the care they require, taking full account of remorse, the passage of time, family circumstances, and the devastating practical consequences of losing citizenship, including the loss of the right to work, the inability to drive, loss of access to banking, and the risk of removal.

Regulated, London based firm with a multilingual team

The firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and operates from its London base, serving Albanian clients across the UK and abroad. The multilingual team includes staff who can communicate in several languages, and the firm has long experience working with clients from Albanian and wider Balkan communities.

Understanding the Albanian Kosovar identity issue

During the Kosovo war of 1998 to 1999, the UK adopted a sympathetic policy towards refugees fleeing Serbian persecution. Many genuine Kosovar Albanians received protection and settled permanently. At the same time, a significant number of Albanian nationals from Albania itself claimed to be from Kosovo to benefit from that policy, often on the advice of intermediaries, smugglers, or community contacts.

Many of these people used false names, dates of birth, and nationalities. They were granted Exceptional Leave to Remain, then Indefinite Leave to Remain, and eventually applied for and received British citizenship, continuing to use their incorrect identities throughout the process.

When the situation came to light several years later, the Home Office initiated deprivation proceedings under section 40(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981, on the basis that citizenship was obtained by fraud, false representation, or the concealment of a material fact.

Eligibility: who is affected and when to seek legal help

You should seek specialist legal advice if:

• You are an Albanian national who entered the UK during or shortly after the Kosovo conflict and claimed to be from Kosovo.
• You received Exceptional Leave to Remain, ILR and then British citizenship under a false identity or nationality.
• You have received a letter from the Home Office asking you to provide evidence about the validity of your identity or indicating an intention to deprive you of citizenship.
• Your citizenship has already been revoked, and you want to understand your appeal and human rights options.
• You have family members, especially Britishborn children, who may be affected by a deprivation decision.

Key legal questions in these cases

The outcome of an Albanian deprivation case typically turns on several closely examined issues:

• Was the fraud “material” to the grant of citizenship? The Home Office must show a direct link between the false representation and the decision to grant citizenship. If the deception was not causally connected to naturalisation, the deprivation may be challengeable.
• Should the Home Secretary’s discretion be exercised differently? Even where fraud is established, the decision to deprive is discretionary. The tribunal can consider the circumstances of the original deception, the length of time since, remorse, cooperation with the Home Office and the practical consequences of deprivation.
• What are the consequences for family members? British children of deprived parents generally retain their own citizenship. Still, the wider impact on the family unit, including separation, loss of income and housing instability, is relevant to both the discretion argument and any subsequent Article 8 human rights claim.
• Does deprivation create statelessness? The UK has international obligations not to render a person stateless, although Albanian nationals generally retain Albanian citizenship, making this argument harder to advance.
• What happened during the delay? In some cases, the Home Office knew or had reason to suspect the true nationality years before taking action. Significant and unexplained delay in initiating deprivation proceedings can be a relevant factor.

How the Albanian deprivation process works with Gulbenkian Andonian

Step 1: Review the Home Office letter and your history

You share the Home Office correspondence, your original asylum and nationality files, and any other relevant documents with the firm. Your Immigration Law Solicitor reviews the full timeline, from your arrival in the UK, through your grant of leave and citizenship, to the discovery of the deception and the current deprivation proceedings.

You will receive a clear explanation of what the Home Office is alleging, what evidence it holds, and where the legal vulnerabilities and strengths in your case lie.

Step 2: Preparing representations to the Home Office

Before a deprivation order is made, you normally have a period, often 21 days, to respond to the Home Office’s notice of intention to deprive. We use this window to make detailed written representations on your behalf, addressing the materiality of the fraud, the circumstances in which it occurred, the passage of time, your conduct since, your family situation, and the impact deprivation would have on you and your dependants.

These representations can be decisive. In some cases, a wellargued response at this stage persuades the Home Office not to proceed.

Step 3: Appealing the deprivation order

If the Home Office proceeds with the deprivation order, you have a right of appeal to the Firsttier Tribunal under section 40A of the British Nationality Act 1981. Your Solicitor will prepare the grounds of appeal, gather evidence, draft witness statements, and present your case at the tribunal hearing.

The appeal gives the Tribunal the power to examine afresh whether the fraud was material to the grant of citizenship and whether the Home Secretary’s discretion should have been exercised differently in your favour.

Step 4: Human rights and further representations after deprivation

If citizenship is revoked, you revert to being subject to immigration control. At that point, the Home Office must decide whether to grant you leave to remain or to pursue removal. This is where human rights arguments, particularly Article 8, family and private life, become central.

Our team can prepare further representations or, if necessary, a separate human rights appeal arguing that removal from the UK would be disproportionate given your established life, your family ties and the best interests of any children.

Step 5: Ongoing support and status regularisation

Whatever the outcome at each stage, your Solicitor will advise on the next steps: further appeal options, applications for limited leave, or longterm routes back to settlement. The firm’s goal is to protect your position at every turn and, where possible, secure a lawful status that allows you to live and work in the UK.

Timescales and costs

Albanian deprivation cases are often protracted. The Home Office investigation itself can take months or years, and the appeal process through the First-tier Tribunal and, potentially, the Upper Tribunal can extend well beyond that. You can rely on our in-depth experience in advising and representing clients in similar situations. We will do everything possible to move your case forward as swiftly as possible.

Costs depend on the stage of proceedings, the complexity of the factual and legal issues, and whether the matter involves tribunal hearings, Upper Tribunal challenges or linked removal cases. Your Immigration Law Solicitor will explain its fee structure at the outset, provide a written breakdown before you commit, and keep you informed of any changes as the case develops.

Given the seriousness of the consequences, which include loss of citizenship, loss of employment, housing difficulties, and the risk of removal, early legal investment in a properly prepared case is far more costeffective than trying to repair matters after a deprivation order has been made.

Common issues and mistakes to avoid

Albanian deprivation cases are particularly sensitive. Small missteps can weaken your position or close off legal routes.

Common problems include:

• Ignoring the Home Office notice of intention to deprive or failing to respond within the deadline.
• Providing further false information to the Home Office once the investigation has begun can destroy credibility entirely.
• Failing to instruct a specialist Immigration Law Solicitor and instead responding to the Home Office without legal advice.
• Not addressing the “materiality” question directly, which is often the strongest line of legal argument.
• Overlooking the discretion argument and focusing only on whether fraud occurred, the exercise of discretion can be equally important.
• Neglecting to prepare human rights arguments in parallel, so that if citizenship is lost there is already a foundation for a private and family life claim.
• Assuming that because you have lived in the UK for over 20 years and have British children, deprivation cannot happen. It can and does, and only a properly argued legal case will protect you.

How Gulbenkian Andonian supports you at every stage

The firm treats Albanian deprivation cases as among the most consequential immigration matters it handles, given the high stakes for clients and their families.

You will be advised and represented by one Solicitor or Caseworker who understands the specific history and law around these cases and who stays with your matter from initial advice through to final resolution. Communication is clear and regular, with updates on Home Office correspondence, Tribunal listing, and any developments in relevant case law.

Where your case involves overlapping issues, such as children’s citizenship, partner visas, criminal convictions, or pending family court proceedings, our broader immigration, human rights, and litigation teams work together to ensure every aspect is covered in a coordinated way.

Above all, you will receive an honest assessment of your prospects. If there are strong grounds to fight the deprivation, the firm will pursue them with determination and attention to detail. If there are weaknesses, these are discussed openly so that you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.

FAQs

Why is the Home Office investigating Albanian nationals who claimed to be Kosovar?

During the Balkan conflict, many Albanian nationals from Albania claimed to be from Kosovo to benefit from the UK’s sympathetic asylum policy. The Home Office has been investigating these claims since embassy staff in Tirana noticed discrepancies when individuals tried to bring family members to the UK.

What is a deprivation of citizenship order?

It is a formal decision by the Home Secretary to remove a person’s British citizenship under section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981, usually on the ground that citizenship was obtained by fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact.

What changed after the Supreme Court decision in Hysaj and Bakijasi?

Before 2017, the Home Office treated many fraudulently obtained grants of citizenship as a “nullity”, meaning the person was deemed never to have been British. The Supreme Court ruled that this approach was unlawful except where someone had actually impersonated a real person. The Home Office must now use the formal deprivation process with a right of appeal.

Can I appeal against a deprivation order?

Yes. You have a statutory right of appeal to the Firsttier Tribunal. The tribunal can examine whether the fraud was material to the grant of citizenship and whether the Home Secretary’s discretion should have been exercised differently.

What happens to my children if my citizenship is revoked?

British children of deprived parents generally retain their own citizenship under current Home Office policy, as they are considered innocent parties to the fraud. However, the broader impact on the family, including financial hardship, housing instability and the risk of a parent’s removal, can be severe and is relevant to any human rights arguments.

Can I still work in the UK after my citizenship is revoked?

If your citizenship is revoked and you have no other immigration status, you lose the right to work in the UK until the Home Office grants you leave to remain or your appeal succeeds. This can also affect your ability to hold a driving licence, access banking services and rent property.

Is it possible to keep my citizenship even though I used a false identity?

In some cases, yes. If the fraud is found not to have been “material” to the grant of citizenship, or if the tribunal finds that the Home Secretary should have exercised discretion in your favour, given all the circumstances, the appeal can succeed. However, these are demanding legal tests, and strong legal representation is essential.

What if I came to the UK as a child?

The Home Office has, in some cases, accepted that minors who used a false identity cannot be blamed for the initial deception, as they were acting on the instructions of adults. However, the position becomes more complex once that person continues to use the false identity as an adult, for example, when applying for ILR or citizenship.

How long do these cases take?

Albanian deprivation cases often take many months or years to resolve, particularly where there are appeals and linked human rights proceedings. The Home Office investigation, tribunal listing times and any further appeals all contribute to the overall timeline.

How can Gulbenkian Andonian help me?

We have extensive experience representing Albanian nationals in deprivation proceedings and understand the specific historical, factual, and legal context of these cases. We can advise on your response to the Home Office, represent you at appeal, prepare human rights arguments to resist removal, and support you through every stage of what can be a lengthy and stressful process.

Take the next step now

If you are an Albanian national who entered the UK during the Balkan conflict and are now facing questions about your identity, a notice of intention to deprive or an active deprivation order, the single most important thing you can do is get specialist legal advice before responding to the Home Office or before a deadline passes.

Contact Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors in London by phone on +44 (0) 20 7269 9590, by email or through the online enquiry form. An initial discussion will help you understand your position, the strength of your case and the options available to you. The firm has been through this with many Albanian clients before you, and that experience is directly available to help protect you and your family.