to wonder why they didn't apply for citizenship before?

[butterfly133]

Yesterday I discovered that two colleagues are, in their words "frantically" applying for British citizenship. One of them has been here 35 years - nearly the length of my life! - as an adult (came here to work at 22) and the other has been here 18 years and spent 12 of those married to an English man. They are both from within the EU and in a panic about a possible Brexit. A more nosey colleague asked why they'd never applied before. I was surprised by the answers. 1) Neither of them care about voting 2) both of them had such full confidence in the EU getting ever closer and even Britain adopting the euro, they didn't think it would ever be "necessary".

My parents are not from the UK but they applied for citizenship the minute they were allowed (before I was born). They found the idea of wanting to live permanently in a country - which both of these colleagues wanted as well - and not having official citizenship to be odd and worrying, as well as "why pay taxes and have no vote".

I was also really amazed by the confidence these colleagues showed in the EU. I remember arguments about the EU from when I was a child, so certainly the older one would have known about those debates. Oh - they also said they were shocked how many votes UKIP got - in numerical terms even if only one seat. I was surprised by all of this. I don't think we will see Brexit, but if I were either of these two, I would have applied ages ago. So I was just surprised. Wondered what others thought?

The life in the UK test (I had to sit it for my ILR) was ridiculous bollocks. Studying for it (when DS was 8 weeks old) did give DH and I much hilarity, though.

However, I can now tell you all sorts of administrative trivia. I believe it's changed to a more historical bent now, which would be a better fit for me.

Oh yeah, the life in the uk exam. That sounds fun.

Friend of mine did the life in the Uk exam years ago, We giggled with disbelief at the frankly bonkers things it asked. What it needed to ask was things representative of democracy,religious freedom and tolerance, IMO.

I got ILR last year and didn't pay £1200

I am also able to vote in elections, although this last one was the first GE since I've lived here.

I also didn't do the life on UK test. Think l better double check it is ILR l have

Life in Uk

The test has only been required since 2008 or so for ILR, maybe? Around then.

I'm non-EU and haven't gotten citizenship. I'd like it, but we saved up and then I had DD and so the savings went to baby things. Saved up again and started the forms -- and now have reached a roadblock of needing to know things about DH's ex that we don't. DH has tried through several relatives, but hasn't gotten anywhere yet. Alternative is to get an immigration lawyer to explain why we can't get the info, but that will require saving up more!

To cheer everyone up here is the link to the MN alternative Life in the UK test which was put together after many of us indigenous Brits had a go at the test and failed dismally

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1661032-Given-that-most-of-us-failed-the-on-line-British-Citizen-test-lets-make-up-our-own-questions-about-what-its-like-to-be-British

Your colleagues don't necessarily need to apply to become British citizens.

You don't mention whether they have ever formalised their permanent residence here (which is not quite the same as ILR for non-EU citizens). There's a page on gov.uk called 'prove your right to live in the UK as an EU citizen' which explains who is eligible for an EU residence certificate and how to apply for one. One obvious advantage of that route is that it costs £55.

"Brexit" is widely used- a quick Google shows it has been used by the Guardian, the telegraph, the Financial Times, the BBC and the Huffington Post to name a few.

Culture is a funny thing, you don't realise how much the culture of a place where you were born and grew up shapes who you are until you leave that culture behind. That's so true!

I have lived in the UK for nearly all of my adult life and plan to stay here. I took out British citizenship after dd was born. (It cost a lot less then and I never had to take any test ) If I had to give up my original nationality, I never would have done it.

Anyone want to know the restrictions on minors working? I am equipped to help thanks to LITUK!

I am an EU citizen and have lived, studued and worked here for nearly 11 years. DH is British, and DS has a UK passport. I don't think they (the government) would throw me out of the country even in the unlikely even of "Brexit". Not while I am doing my degree anyway and paying through the nose for it (so, for the next two years). After that if, they are inclined to throw me out.. fankly, I will go somewhere I am wanted. Either my DF's country where I grew up until the age of 22 and where most of the rest of my family is, or my DM's country where I have family ties, speak the lingo, and there's a family house sitting empty. DH and me can work anywhere in the world. I'd rather not spend over a thousand I don't have and study for a ridiculous test, just to be able to vow allegiance to the queen (I am an anti-monarchist).

Incidentally I have never heard of a Taff. Sounds like a breed of dog

I want to say that I do love the culture here (just in case someone though I didn't!), which is why I have come here, and would rather not move away any time soon. However, maybe my ideal way of living, where I can float from a country to country at will (I feel very much an European citizen, rather than any one nationality), is about to come to an end

I'd rather not spend over a thousand I don't have and study for a ridiculous test, just to be able to vow allegiance to the queen

If vowing allegiance to queen and country a la 007 allowes me not to worry about visas in the future i will do it!

My friend sat the Britishness Exam (can't recall what its actually called) and there several questions about Dialects, asking where a Scouser, Geordie, Taff might be from, etc

Was there not a booklet to study from?

ToysRLuv - that is how myself (British) and husband (not British) feel, European.

Was there not a booklet to study from?

Yes. It's another way the government rakes in the cash (especially with the accompanying 'official study guide' and 'practice test' they offer as well...)

I think it's a result from having parents from completely diffent corners of Europe, them having met and lived in a third country until I was a 1 year old, and then me having lived in a fourth country for half a year before finally moving to the UK (5th country). I speak 5 European languages and my DS is four quarters different European nationalities (DH is also half and half). It's impossible for me to commit completely to one country.

I see your point, Jassy, about the study costing yet more money but I assume ActiviaYoghurt's friend, described as "....an exec, lives and works in the City, not really travelled much in the UK, is a higher rate tax payer..." could have afforded it.

YABU for the abomination that is 'Brexit'!

This.

I lived in the UK for 14 years and it never once occurred to me to become a citizen!! I could vote (sometimes)

Does it really cost as £1000 ?
I got citizenship through descent and applied for the same for my children in 2010 and 2011 and it was less than £100.

That is a crazy amount of money! No wonder I never looked in to that, or thought of it.

1005 gbp for naturalization to be exact. Citizenship through descent is another route.

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/430354/Master_Fees_Leaflet_2015.pdf