DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION & HOME AFFAIRS (DIHA)
The Department of Immigration & Home Affairs (DIHA) in Gibraltar handles vital services such as birth, marriage, and death registrations, as well as citizenship, residency, and civil status documentation. It ensures legal compliance and maintains accurate public records, serving as a key administrative body for personal documentation and related matters in Gibraltar. The DIHA plays a central role in supporting residents and facilitating official processes efficiently and transparently.
SERVICES WE OFFER
British Citizenship Application
An individual can apply to register as a British citizen if they were naturalised in Gibraltar as a British Overseas Territories citizen after 21 May 2002 or registered in Gibraltar as a minor after that date.
How We Can Help
Our services include completing the application form, organising and photocopying all required supporting documents, submitting the application on your behalf and making payment of the government applicable fee.
- Applying for British Citizenship is a detailed process that can take several months to complete and is administered directly by the Home Office in the United Kingdom.
Civilian Registration Card Application
Civilian registration cards are issued to EU/EEA Nationals & Non-EU Nationals who are legally residing in Gibraltar.
How We Can Help
Our services include completing the civilian registration card application form, organising and photocopying all required supporting documents, submitting the application on your behalf and making payment of the government applicable fee, collecting your new card once issued, and delivering it to you at any location within Gibraltar.
- Your Register of Property Occupation (RPO) must be active and up-to-date to avoid any delays or issues with submitting your application.
- If you are replacing a lost or stolen card, ensure that you complete all relevant forms required for the replacement process, not just the main Civilian Registration Card application form.
- Your passport expiry date maybe taken into account when processing your Civilian Registration Card application. If your passport has only three months remaining, your card may be issued for the same period, even if you are otherwise eligible for a one-year card.
- First-time applicants aged 16 years or over must submit a police clearance/vetting certificate from the country they resided in prior to arriving in Gibraltar.
Exemption Application
Application for exemption is the initial step toward naturalisation as a British Overseas Territories Citizen. Applicants must meet the statutory 5-year residence requirement on date of application or 3 years if applying on grounds of marriage and residence.
How We Can Help
Our service is divided into two stages:
Stage 1 – Document Preparation: We prepare all required forms and obtain the necessary supporting documentation, including the Police Certificate, Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Social Insurance Contributions, and any other documents required for your application.
Stage 2 – Application Submission and Follow-Up: We complete and submit your Exemption application on your behalf, arrange payment of the applicable government fees, and liaise regularly with the Department of Immigration & Home Affairs to monitor progress and ensure everything remains in order until a decision is reached.
- Your Register of Property Occupation (RPO) must be active and up-to-date to avoid any delays or issues with submitting your application.
- The Department of Immigration & Home Affairs may request additional information or documentation at any stage of the process..
- Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application and the volume of applications being handled.
- All documents not issued in English must be translated into English by a certified translator.
Gibraltarian Status Application
Gibraltarian Status grants individuals full rights of residence within Gibraltar and is recorded in the Register of Gibraltarians. Amongst other requirements, applicants must have been resident in Gibraltar for a continuous period of twenty years immediately preceding the application date.
How We Can Help
Our service is divided into two stages:
Stage 1 – Document Preparation: We prepare all required forms and obtain the necessary supporting documentation, including the Police Certificate, Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Social Insurance Contributions, and any other documents required for your application.
Stage 2 – Application Submission and Follow-Up: We complete and submit your Gibraltarian status application on your behalf, arrange payment of the applicable government fees, and liaise regularly with the Department of Immigration & Home Affairs to monitor progress and ensure everything remains in order until a decision is reached.
- The Department of Immigration & Home Affairs may request additional information or documentation at any stage of the process..
- Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application and the volume of applications being handled.
- All documents not issued in English must be translated into English by a certified translator.
ID Card Application
Red ID cards are issued to Gibraltarians, persons naturalised in Gibraltar as British Overseas Territories Citizens & British citizens who were granted permanent residence in Gibraltar.
How We Can Help
Our services include completing the ID card application form, organising and photocopying all required supporting documents, submitting the application on your behalf and making payment of the government applicable fee, collecting your new card once issued, and delivering it to you at any location within Gibraltar.
- Your Register of Property Occupation (RPO) must be active and up-to-date to avoid any delays or issues with submitting your application.
- If you are replacing a lost or stolen card, ensure that you complete all relevant forms required for the replacement process, not just the main ID Card application form.
Naturalisation Application
Once the Exemption application is approved, the applicant is invited to apply for naturalisation. If successful, a certificate of naturalisation as a British Overseas Territories citizen is granted.
How We Can Help
Our services include completing the Naturalisation application form, organising and photocopying all required supporting documents, submitting the application on your behalf and making payment of the government applicable fee.
- If your passport has changed since you submitted your exemption application, you must provide a copy of your new passport with your naturalisation application.
Passport Application
Applications for Gibraltar Variant Passports (First time applicant/Renewals/Change of particulars) are available for British citizens who are residents in Gibraltar and British Overseas Territories citizens.
How We Can Help
Our services include completing the passport application form, organising and photocopying all required supporting documents, submitting the application on your behalf and making payment of the government applicable fee, collecting your new passport once issued, and delivering it to you at any location within Gibraltar.
- Your Register of Property Occupation (RPO) must be active and up-to-date to avoid any delays or issues with submitting your application.
- If you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, ensure that you complete all relevant forms required for the replacement process, not just the main passport application form.
Permanent Residence Application
British citizens residing in Gibraltar and have not been naturalised in Gibraltar as British Overseas Territories citizens can apply for permanent residence. Amongst other requirements, applicants must have been resident in Gibraltar for a continuous period of ten years immediately preceding the application date.
How We Can Help
Our service is divided into two stages:
Stage 1 – Document Preparation: We prepare all required forms and obtain the necessary supporting documentation, including the Police Certificate, Certificate of Compliance, Certificates of Tax & Social Insurance Contributions, and any other documents required for your application.
Stage 2 – Application Submission and Follow-Up: We complete and submit your Permanent Residence application on your behalf, arrange payment of the applicable government fees, and liaise regularly with the Department of Immigration & Home Affairs to monitor progress and ensure everything remains in order until a decision is reached.
- The Department of Immigration & Home Affairs may request additional information or documentation at any stage of the process.
- Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application and the volume of applications being handled.
- All documents not issued in English must be translated into English by a certified translator.
Request to Reside
A Request to Reside is an application for a permit of residence made by a British Overseas Territories citizen to bring into Gibraltar a Non-EU spouse, civil partner or minor child.
How We Can Help
Our service is divided into two stages:
Stage 1 – Document Preparation: We prepare all required forms and obtain the necessary supporting documentation, including the Certificates of Tax & Social Insurance Contributions, and any other documents required for your application.
Stage 2 – Application Submission and Follow-Up: We complete and submit your Request to Reside application on your behalf, arrange payment of the applicable government fees, and liaise regularly with the Department of Immigration & Home Affairs to monitor progress and ensure everything remains in order until a decision is reached.
- Applicants aged 16 years or over must submit a police clearance/vetting certificate from the country they resided in prior to arriving in Gibraltar.
- All documents not issued in English must be translated into English by a certified translator.
The Process of DIHA Applications
Initial Consultation
We engage with you to understand your requirements and gain a clear understanding of your objectives.
Preparation & Submission
We meticulously prepare the necessary documentation, complete the application forms, and handle submission on your behalf.
Collection & Delivery
We stay committed to supporting you throughout the application process, ensuring we collect your documents and delivering them to you if required.
*Disclaimer: The processing of the above services is the sole responsibility of the Department of Immigration & Home Affairs in Gibraltar. A2Z Business Solutions acts only as an independent facilitator and assumes no responsibility for the processing, approval, or outcome of these services.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not official. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that all details are complete, up-to-date, or free from errors. Use this information at your own discretion, and verify with official sources before making decisions based on it. We are not responsible for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this information.
P/A = Per Applicant.