How was it?

Hello everybody. I have a question. When you took the Life in The U.K. test to be able to stay in the U.K. How was the test? Was it easy or hard? Did you have difficulty with the test.

Also, during your swearing in ceremony, did you have to travel far just to get sworn in? Was it allot of other Expats there? Did you receive a parting gift?

 Thanks for the help.

Was it easy or hard?

I thought it was easy.  YMMV

Did you have difficulty with the test.  

No, the main difficulty was that the testing centre wasn't really all set up and ready for us (where I took it).  So the better part of an hour was spent just sitting there while they went around, turned on & checked all the computers.    Additionally, some of the staff administering the test had difficulty speaking and conveying test instructions in clear English (which was their second language).  Meanwhile, a forklift driving test was going on next door...  All of that made it an especially memorable experience.  

Also, during your swearing in ceremony, did you have to travel far just to get sworn in?

It was held in some of my local council's offices, so no.

Was it a lot of other Expats there?  

Yes, the city of Leeds does ceremonies for groups of 50 at a time, and they mentioned the demand was so great they were also starting to do smaller groups of 20 in a different room (that would only accommodate 20).

Did you receive a parting gift?

Yes, the pièce de résistance given me (in return for the approx £2500 I had spent in visas & citizenship fees) was a white coffee mug with gold leaf and the seal for the city of Leeds upon it.  I keep it in a kitchen cupboard, but I do not drink coffee from it.  Being able to vote here + no more immigration hassles:  priceless.

We got a passport holder  .  I was hoping for something more local.

I was disappointed because beforehand someone had told me that we would probably get a gold (not real gold!) pin/badge of an owl - which is the symbol for the city of Leeds.  But it was a coffee mug instead.

It was quite cheap, but the professional photographer wasn't.  Oh well.

We skipped that (professional photographer - it was optional) and just took our own, or had our friends take pictures.

Meaning we had to pay for the professional photos if we wanted them.  Did yours come included?

There was a professional photographer option?  How did my parents miss this?   

1. I thought the test was easy but I studied for it for about 3 months by reading the book and doing the test books.

2. My swearing in ceremony was in York city centre so no.  I think about 20 of us were sworn in.  And my parting gift was a gold coin and a book on what makes York special, plus the certificate.  We also got tea and a chance to meet the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of York while we were there.  You do only get two seats for when for your ceremony which may become important if your family decides to fly over for the ceremony.   

I was disappointed because beforehand someone had told me that we would probably get a gold (not real gold!) pin/badge of an owl - which is the symbol for the city of Leeds.  But it was a coffee mug instead.

Maybe that's 'cause someone decided to take more than one? 

I got a pin and a mug and paid for the photograph.

I accidentally broke my mug and had to pay for a second after showing my certificate of naturalisation! Like I am running an underground Leeds City Council mug scam........

Yes, the pièce de résistance given me (in return for the approx £2500 I had spent in visas & citizenship fees) was a white coffee mug with gold leaf and the seal for the city of Leeds upon it.

£2500 Yikes!

2. My swearing in ceremony was in York city centre so no.  I think about 20 of us were sworn in.  And my parting gift was a gold coin and a book on what makes York special, plus the certificate.  We also got tea and a chance to meet the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of York while we were there.  You do only get two seats for when for your ceremony which may become important if your family decides to fly over for the ceremony.   

I read this and I was wondering how you could get sworn in in NYC. I'm OK now

Oooh, according to this, when my time rolls around, I might get an engraved crystal paperweight! Wheee! Only one more year to go! 

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/citizenceremony

Oooh, according to this, when my time rolls around, I might get an engraved crystal paperweight! Wheee! Only one more year to go! 

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/citizenceremony

Hmpf. I just checked, and Manchester makes no mention of gifts! Only a certificate and "information pack".  I can only hope for a surprise...

We didn't really get much of a chance to take photos afterwards.  We had to pay for the photographer. 

I feel ripped off.  I knew I didn't want to have this ceremony in Cambridge.  It blows. 

You do only get two seats for when for your ceremony which may become important if your family decides to fly over for the ceremony.

Oh I think that I was allowed up to four guests if I wanted - I think it depends on the individual council and the size of the venue.

Maybe that's 'cause someone decided to take more than one? 

Was it you?! 

£2500 Yikes! 

Yeah and I got lucky!  That was the approx going rate then (fiancee visa + FLR + ILR-in-person + KOL + Leeds document checking service + Citizenship fees).  Nowadays, people have to pay even more than that!

Was it you?! 

No, it wasn't.   

I got a passport holder and I sprang for the professional photos, which even after sending them back to be re-touched, look hideous