Becoming a citizen

What about me? I lived here for two years on a work permit, and am coming up on a year married, so that will be three total. When do I get to apply for a whats-it?

I don't know what the regulations about marriage involve. But it's 4 years on the work permit to the same company before you can apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). If you change jobs, then the 4 year clock goes back to zero (so it's a form of indenturement). One year after you get the ILR, then you can apply for citizenship (and by that point the citizenship exam will probably be in place, but it's not clear if you can take the exam before the date when you can first apply). The rules are slightly different for marriage to a Brit. Ask Garry who know all about this.

Once again, garry's right. I can't access the ind pages, but it seems to be 4 years on a continuous work permit, but not necessarily with the same company. I take it that it means that you'll have to be hired by a new firm without an employment gap. To my defense, I positively remember getting the info about 4 years with the same company from many expats and my firm as well (so maybe they were just having one on me at the time, although it seemed believable since another Aermican at the company stayed until the 4 year time came due, and then she jumped).

About gaps:  I had a wp person get made redundant in late Nov several years ago.  So we had to go to WPUK to extend his grace period because it's not feasible to look for a new job in December - based upon industry practice, nobody  hires until Jan/Feb.  So they put it through until March of the following year. 

They can be astonishingly reasonable *IF* (and that's a big IF) you put all your cards on the table in enough time for them to react.  In the absense of that *IF*, you can get an AR after 28 days.

Having good grounds is also helpful, and - of course - a good advisor in your corner...   

When you apply for a new US passport (as I have to in 3 months), the form specifically asks if you've become naturalized elsewhere in the interim and if so to give a separate letter indicating that you did/did not intend to renounce US citizenship.

Oooooh! Very good to know, thanks! I'm going to have to renew next year.
(Whoa, that'll be 10 years since I first stepped foot in the UK...gulp!)

It sounds scary, but I don't think that it's a big deal. They just want a record. While it's fun to think that we might have a "secret" identity, there's no such thing, alas.

It sounds scary, but I don't think that it's a big deal. They just want a record. While it's fun to think that we might have a "secret" identity, there's no such thing, alas.

*stops humming the Mission: Impossible theme*  Awww..... 

As for me, I'm quite looking forward to getting my British citizenship.  The idea of ebing able to live anywhere in the EU?  Very nice.