Are Canadians considered Aliens in the UK?

[stephaniehoffman]

I want to know do Canadians being a commonwealth citizen have any advantage over other developed countries such as the USA in terms of being eligible towards obtaining British nationality with having no British ancestry? (Other than being eligible through joining armed services) I know that the United States of America gives preferential treatments to Canadians that no other alien gets to obtaining a green card. Or are Canadians treated like any other foreigner, and will have no more rights than the next Japanese coming into the UK?

[Joanne]

In regards to getting a visa, Canadians are treated like any other foreigner. Also to obtain British citizenship you have to live in the country (permanently) for around 5 years (and you can then apply for British citizenship.
One of the advantages to be from a commonwealth country is that once you are a resident here, you have the right to vote.

Joanne

[00Viggen]

Another advantage being a commonwealth citizen has in the UK:

You can own a UK registered aircraft.

Yes, I know, completely useless to 99% of people out there, but being a pilot, it was something I looked into until I found out my Transport Canada instrument rating would cost a small fortune to convert to a UK/European one.

Adam

[elevensie]

You can only vote in the European elections. For national elections, citizens only.

[Steven]

There are one or two visa types a commonwealth citizen can get that other nationalities can't, but there was a huge crackdown some years ago because of all the people coming in from south Asia. Big bone of contention. Canada treats British citizens the same way, btw.