Citizenship and migration

Last checked 16 Sep 2026Suggest a correction

The case for independence

The Scottish Government proposes that British citizens living in Scotland or born in Scotland would be entitled to Scottish citizenship, and that Scottish law would allow dual Scottish and British citizenship.¹
It says nobody would have to hold a Scottish passport if they did not want one.¹
It proposes new visa routes, such as a “Live in Scotland” visa, for people to live and work in Scotland without employer sponsorship.³

Immigration and nationality are reserved to Westminster.²

The UK Government set out its analysis in “Scotland analysis: borders and citizenship” (23 January 2014).⁴

British citizens who live in Scotland, were born in Scotland, or previously lived in Scotland for at least ten years would be entitled to Scottish citizenship on independence day.¹
People could hold Scottish and British citizenship, or only one of them.¹
Scotland would remain in the Common Travel Area, so British citizens would not need Scottish citizenship to live and work in Scotland.¹
A “Live in Scotland” visa, allowing people to live and work in Scotland without employer sponsorship; a “Scottish Connections” visa for people with ties to Scotland; and the right to work for people seeking asylum.³

Source: Building a New Scotland, Papers 5 and 6

Would the UK continue to allow dual British–Scottish citizenship?

This has not been settled, and we have not yet found reliable published analysis. We will add sourced material when it becomes available.

How would migration policy differ from the UK's?

This has not been settled, and we have not yet found reliable published analysis. We will add sourced material when it becomes available.