Question on gaining citizenship/changing status

I have status as the spouse of an EU citizen, which does not expire until 2007. I recently became an Irish citizen. Do I let the HO know now, or when the status is up? Thanks

You are not obliged to do anything really.  It might be that you would have a quicker route to British Citizenship through your dependent status, but now you are an EEA national and have the same rights as a UK national too, you may decide not to bother.


Victoria

I was under the impression that as I claimed status under my husband's Irish citizenship, I was not entitled to then pursue legal status (including citizenship) under his British citizenship, that once we decided on one, we couldn't then employ the other?

Oh, and I wasn't sure which the HO would prefer, if I waited til the expiry date to tell them, and they'd ask when did you get citizenship and I would say last year and they'd say why did you wait to tell us, or if I tell them now and they say why are you telling us now? LOL. How does it work, anyway?

How does it work, anyway?

You post a notice of variance when it happens, or as soon as practical thereafter (like the next day), and then shove it under their noses anytime they say *anything*.  But that's my guidance, and I play everything by the book.  I doubt very much they receive more than 100 notices of variance all total for a whole year...

But Garry...surely she would still be entitled to British Citizenship after three years, *if* she can still get an ILR stamp on her (I assume) US passport?  Or can she no longer get this stamp now she has Irish Citizenship?

(I know you love nationality law, so I bet you have the answers at your fingertips.....!!!!)


Victoria

(I know you love nationality law, so I bet you have the answers at your fingertips.....!!!!)

The challenge!  Such an exciting practice area!  So vivid and animated!  A thrill a minute.  It's a lot more fun than knowing the ins and outs of a cat's a*se.    

You know...you have inspired me....

I am going to stay up all night with my copy of 'Fransman'...I was going to go out with a boy tonight, but I'm ditching him for the 1981 Act!

 

Stella Marie....sorry about this.  We *hate* nationality law!

How about this....if Irish nationals are deemed to have ILR anyway, by virtue of their nationality, how about just not telling anyone about the dual nationality, not renewing the spousal visa, and then applying for British Citizenship after three years anyway, because Irish citizenship is, in effect, ILR?  Good?  Or risky?

I might have to take advice on this one.


Victoria

You know...you have inspired me....

Me too!  I'll send my regrets to the sneak of 'Da Vinci Code' and hole up with Phelan & Gillespie.

I still don't get it tho     If somebody is naturalised Irish, what do they get by acquiring British?  Except for an ungodly run-around from social services when they go on pension, does it do any benefit whatever?

I dunno.  But I'm getting an Irish passport too, just for the hell of it, so why shouldn't Stella get a British one if she is entitled to it?

Vicky

I dunno.  But I'm getting an Irish passport too, just for the hell of it, so why shouldn't Stella get a British one if she is entitled to it?

Is there a tangible benefit?  Or truly just for the hell of it?    

Just for the hell of it...and for the EU benefits.

Victoria

Now you all have me intrigued.

Can you tell me what you mean by having an ILR with Irish citizenship? What exactly does the Irish citizenship have, or what status, what entitlements, in the UK? What will I do come pension time, and how about for voting?

Could I really obtain the British citizenship on top of the Irish one? My children have 3 citizenships, but I did not think I would be able to claim the British one. How would that work? I would not be claiming it through my husband, but through my naturalized Irish citizenship?

I vaguely knew there was a special understanding vis a vis Irish citizens in the UK but never knew the details. Any elaboration would be fascinating, or pointers to somewhere online I could read about it.

Thanks!

Oh, Irish nationals are so lucky!!!

You can claim all benefits that British nationals can.
You can vote in every election.
You can stand for public office.
You are entitled to a UK state pension (though this will be dependent on your earnings in the UK)
You have every entitlement that a UK national has, bar taking some posts in Crown Service where being a UK or Commonwealth national is a condition.
You also have the same rights as any other EU national, including those which those who are only UK nationals do not have.
You also have the same rights as any non-UK national with ILR.

You are, in short, totally sorted now!!!

You probably don't *need* a British passport...unless you have a craving to become a senior civil servant!!!

Victoria

So 800 years of oppression was good for something? 

That is cool about the voting rights, I wasn't sure if I could only vote in certain elections but not all. How do pensions work?
What do EU nationals get that UK nationals don't?

If I am sorted, this is way cooler than I thought.