WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!! *runs in circles*
I got a letter last night dated November 4 2004 from the Home Office to let me know that my application for British Nationality WAS APPROVED!!! They'll be sending me a letter in the next couple of days to invite me to a citizenship ceremony where I'll be given my certificate of citizenship!
I have to say, I SO wasnt expecting to hear from the Home Office for another 6 - 8 months! The waiting times (last I checked) on the website were about 8 months for nationality applications. They recieved, looked at mine, and approved it in 15 DAYS!!! I sent my application pack in on the 19th of October and they got it on the 20th. There were no questions what-so-ever. I sent in a copy of my passport because I had to use it to travel and I sent copies of my high school diploma for the English Language requirement. Piece-of-cake.
I highly encourage anyone about to embark on dual nationality to just get to it!
Oh and before my application went out there was a lot of speculation about weather I actually qualified or not. So now I can officially say that YES I did qualify for nationality based on my time in the UK which was as follows:
Entered UK July 27 2001 on VISITOR'S VISA
Entered US Oct 21 2001
Entered UK Nov 11 2001 on FIANCEE'S VISA
There were several trips to the USA between Nov 11 2001 and Oct 21 2004. When I applied for nationality I had been in posession of my Indefinte Leave to Remain for 1 full year. I had also not been out of the UK for more than the alloted amount of days between July 27 2001 and Oct 20 2004. I was also present in the UK on the day my application was recieved three years earlier (Oct 20 2001).
A lot of people believe that their 3 years requirement starts on the day the enter the UK on their fiance(e) or spousal visa but this isnt the case. I started my three years on July 27 2001 even though I was only on a Visitor's Visa. The requirement is that you must not have been absent from the UK for more than so many days from the date of entry to the date the application is recieved. The only other stipulation is that you must have entered the UK LEGALLY (ie, not stowed away on some boat). So I was legally in the UK as a visitor and was preparing for my permanent legal relocation to the UK.
That might all be a bit confusing but if you have any questions feel free to get in touch with me (PM ME PLEASE) and I'll be happy to try and explain it a bit better.
So all in all -
I AM NOW A DUAL NATIONAL!!! HOOORAY!!!
