Important!....major changes in UK nationality law

[retromelissa]

Saw this on some other forums, and thought the people here should know:

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/siteco ... escontract

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7253933.stm

If you are any of the following, you will be affected:

- UK ancestry
- Spouse/civil partner of a UK national
- Work permit/HSMP holder
- Right of abode holder

What is basically happening is that a concept of "probational citizenship" is replacing what used to be an ILR application after two years on a spouse visa or five years on a AV/work/HSMP visa.

Now you will have to spend between one and five years as a probational citizen before you can apply for full citizenship. You will be able to apply earlier if you can accrue more "points" through volunteer work and being a good boy/girl. If you don't want to be a citizen, you must accrue enough points to become a permanent resident within three to five years. If you don't accrue enough points within five years to become either a citizen or a permanent resident, you must leave the country.

This may effect anyone applying for "settlement" or citizenship after about the beginning of 2009, considering that the bills will be submitted to Parliament this November.

[UKbound]

I saw this item this afternoon on the BBC site, and am somewhat confused on what it means for me. As I mentioned in a previous thread, my wife (who is already a British citizen) and I will be relocating to the UK for at least three years. Do these changes mean that the normal three-year 'waiting' period has been extended? Moreover, since I will be there on a marriage visa, which places me into the new 'family' category, are there any special new requirements? The source I saw, as well as those named above, are rather vague - they refer to community service, something about money in the bank, etc., etc. Is there a better source somewhere, or does someone have more information?

[retromelissa]

Are you planning to settle in the UK permanently at some point? Or only for those three years?

http://www.ukresident.com/forums/index.php <<< this is another forum with lots of information and loads of knowledgeable, helpful people (some are immigration and benefits experts!) if you have more questions about your situation

[UKbound]

I wouldn't say settle permanently at this point - probably somewhere between five and ten years at the moment. It's hard to say from this end, it all depends on my options after completing my degree program. I do know, however, that citizenship is a goal I would like to achieve. I'll have a look at that site you sent, thanks for the information.

[riverfox]

ummm. yeah, I had this sent to me by a couple of people.

My understanding is that it is still in the proposal stage and nothing has been implimented. As such specifics are likely change, and there is the possibility that it will not be passed into completion at all.

I recall a few years ago they were attempting to do a way with the Ancestry visa altogether and there was so much hue and cry about it, that it never happened.

I'm of the mind that there's no point in worrying about any of it until it IS policy at which point you figure out what you need to do, and do it.

Alot of this is being done because the british public has issues with the large numbers of immigrant workers coming into the UK and not integrating to the degree the public might which them to. There have a been a number of issues with this in the past specifically with romanian visas I believe, and the home office has been seen to do nothing.

By taking the current stance the goverment is being precieved at least as making progress, when in reality the most the changes they make will do is generate more revenue and make it a little harder to gain full citizenship within the uk. In reality these new measures will do little to mitigate the problem, as the issue in my opinion isn't the long term residents. It's more the influx from the European countries.

I find it funny really in some respects, when I was living over there the last time I heard so much complaining about it from those people who were originally immigrants themselves about all the new laws allowing everyone and anyone to enter the country.

I do think stricter passport and visa controls are necessary, however they are going about it the wrong way IMO.

I'm speaking in generalities of course and this is simply opinion.

*shrug*

[Tigerlea]

I agree with Riverfox. This has yet to be accepted as a new law in the UK, and was just proposed yesterday. I was going to post about it, but my boyfriend managed to allay my worries by telling me that it is just proposed, and also, we won't have to deal with it until my 5 years ancestry visa is up anyhow, so that gives us 5 years to figure out what it means for us.

It is good knowledge to know, but until it is either accepted or denied, I don't think we have to worry too much. Things are bound to change, if it's accepted at all.

We'll just have to wait.

[mari-mac]

Note that there is a consultation on the website (along with the actual green paper itself):
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/siteco ... tizenship/

It looks as though it can be filled out by members of the public. And one of the questions is 'should the UK Ancestry visa be abolished' - along with other views on the paper.

As people who could be impacted by this, it is worth taking a look and filling out the questionnaire.

I am concerned about certain aspects of the proposal such as denying access to certain benefits (possibly including some or all of the NHS and school for children) - again, this isn't strongly defined, but is very worrying. If people are working and paying taxes, they should have access the same as everyone else.

[Tigerlea]

PS ~ If there is a mod reading this, this thread should -probably- be put on the main "Canadians in the UK" forum because it has to do with anyone in the UK, and not everyone will see it in the Visa's section.