izzysmum
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Posts posted by izzysmum
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For those thinking about moving back to the UK, the British government has added yet more hurdles for potential immigrants today. Those who are thinking about or have emmigrated to the UK legally are up in arms about this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7253933.stm
As usual in everything here in the UK, the government has chosen the ones that have to go through all the protocol that suffer, the easy targets. The ones that can bypass all this are the ones that are really causing the problems, ie the EU citizens that are flooding into the UK, these don't seem to count in the figures, nothing can be done about them.
It would be like the USA suddenly opening its borders freely to Mexico, then expecting everyone else to obtain permits and visas, but not only that, everyone else has to pay extra fees and taxes so these Mexicans can stay. There would be an outcry and understandably so.
I am so glad to be moving out the UK, there is no law and order, no respect, housing prices are ridiculous, taxes, bills and cost of living are way too high. OK we get more holidays and vacations but have no spare money to enjoy them. Vacations to a lot of my friends are a stay in a caravan in a seaside resort in another part of the UK, how many Americans would spend a vacation in a trailer? The NHS is a joke, free healthcare is appealing, yes. But waiting 18 months for a routine appointment isnt the ideal, then another long wait for treatment? I would rather pay private and get seen right away, in fact because of the NHS I took out private medical insurance as many more people here are doing more. There is no confidence in the NHS.
The USA isnt perfect, but compared to the UK right now its so much safer. If the UK becomes a much safer place in the future, then maybe I would consider moving back, but as it is now there is no way. I can't honestly see a big change in the next few years though.
Yes, if this passes it will most definitely be very hard to acquire British citizneship. I think it is crazy that she proposes immigrants pay into a special "transitional impact" fund (on top of all the other fees you pay already), do volunteer work (the last time I checked volunteering was something you did on your own, not forced to do!....not to mention the fact that most are already working, taking care of children, etc. who in the H$%£ has time for volunteering), and even then you would only get a "probationary" citizenship. It will take 5 years to even be eligible for citizenship, even with being a spouse. These are a summary of her "Three Steps to Citizenship".
1. At first they will be classed as temporary residents - the status they receive as a worker, relative or recognised refugee.
2. After five years they will be given an entirely new status for a minimum of another 12 months - "probationary citizen".
3. This probationary status will ultimately lead to someone becoming a British citizen or permanent foreign resident - or being told it's time to move on.
The whole thing is ridiculous!
What about someone who moves here from a country that doesn't recognize dual citizenship? Being bullied into giving up citizenship of your home country or being told to leave is horrible! She's even talking about children born in England to someone with British citizenship will not automatically be given British citizenship. They will eventually have to earn their way to it, as well. There is also the possibility of benefits, such as NHS being withheld until a person becomes a citizen. 5 years without any access to the NHS...get real!! This article defines her proposal a little more. I am just totally insulted by everything she states and proposes! I think she is a total CRACKPOT!! My hubby agrees! That is precisely why we are repatriating back to the states next year...
I am so lucky that I will be applying for citizenship next month before all the possibility of this comes to fruition. I definitely feel sorry for the ones who follow, who might possibly feel the wrath of this though.
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Hubby and I met at the PX onboard Camp Lejeune US Marine Corps Base in North Carolina. His Royal Marines Commandos unit was doing 8 weeks of joint exercises with our US Marines.
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Absolutey what Lansbury said! I am in the process of applying for Brit Citizenship. I know we are repatriating to the US in a year or so, but this keeps our options open. Who knows, we may one day decide to move back to the UK, and then I wouldn't have to worry about a visa or anything because I would be a British citizen. It would work the opposite way, as well...US to UK and back to the US. That is just our reasoning for all of us to have dual citizenship.
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Hiya and welcome!
I am from Western NC and my husband is from South Yorkshire...
We both are now in NC and enjoying life together finally!
It is always nice to have new faces in our group! We have fun here!
Thank you! We are actually repatriating to Southeastern NC...Sneads Ferry/Topsail Island area. We love the Crystal Coast. I was living in Jacksonville when I met hubby. He is from Bournemouth, Dorset so has lived his entire life by the sea...hates to be landlocked.
Welcome (again) lolI live in SC and my future husband lives in Blackpool.
Thank you!
Hey Marci! Glad to see you found the UK forum!
Thanks, Dawn! Glad to be here.
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Thanks again everyone!Hey, you're not too far from me
I'm in Cornwall and i'm moving to Maryland
Welcome to VJ and good luck!!
How cool! Where in Cornwall are you, if I may ask? Love it, such beautiful countryside!
I'm in St Ives at the moment, it certainly is very beautiful.. But I cannot wait to leave! Although.. I am sure I will miss living so close to the ocean.
My Mum lives in Devon too, in Paignton
I have been to St. Ives. It is stunning! We have been to Paignton, as well. We went to the zoo. Hubby can relate to the seaside thing. He is originally from Bournemouth, Dorset, so has grown up his entire life beside the sea. Even now we live on a peninsula here in Plymouth surrounded by the sea on both sides. He hates to be landlocked. Living in the London for the last year or so of our time here in the UK is going to drive him mad! That is why we are repatriating to Southeastern North Carolina. It's got the beautiful Crystal Coast. Good luck with everything!
Thank you for the welcome, clairern!
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Thanks again everyone!
Hey, you're not too far from meI'm in Cornwall and i'm moving to Maryland
Welcome to VJ and good luck!!
How cool! Where in Cornwall are you, if I may ask? Love it, such beautiful countryside!
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Thank you!
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Congrats on the promotion! Best wishes on the move
Chris will be retiring in '09 so we also have some time to get those visa papers together
Sounds like we will be doing our paperwork for repatriation at about the same time. We are looking at '09 to move back as well.
Thanks again for the warm welcomes everyone!
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Welcome to VJ and the UK forum!! I'm the USC, hailing from Buffalo, NY and my fiance is about 20 minutes outside of Chester. We can't wait to be done with this process! Sounds like you've got a few big moves coming up! Good luck with it all. I'm sure you'll find lots of helpful information here once you're ready to get started on your move back to the US.
Yes, the next year or so is going to be very busy. Thank you for the welcome.
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Hi, Robert. Thanks for the welcome! West Virginia and Kentucky are right next to each other. We had the old Hatfield and McCoy feud going on for ages. We had the Hatfields, Kentucky had the McCoys.
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Hi Marci! We are already familiar with one another (Welshcookie) but thought I would extend the welcome to VJ!
Hi, Dawn! It's always nice to see a familiar face. Hope things are going well for you and yours! We are getting ready to move to London soon, as hubby got a promotion within the Royal Marines, so looks like that will be our last posting before he retires and we repatriate.
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I am actually getting ready to go through this process in the next few months. It has taken me 3 years as a spouse to get to the point of where I can apply. You do have to have been present and living in the UK for 3 years. I went through being here for 2 years on an FLR (Further Leave to Remain) visa, then applied and received my ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain). As of April this year, you have to take and pass the "Life in the UK" test before you can receive ILR. Once you receive ILR you can apply for citizenship a year after that, so a total of 3 years to being eligible. I received ILR before April, so have to take the "Life in the UK" test on the 20th of this month, so I can apply for citizenship. Been studying the test guide, so hopefully will do well. I know we are repatriating to the US, but we just want to keep our options open. If we ever do decide to move back to the UK, I will never have to go through all the visa stuff again because I will have Brit citizenship.
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Thank you for the warm welcomes.
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Hello there. I just posted in the introduction section, but thought I would introduce myself here, as well, seeing as this is where I will most likely be "hanging out" the most. I'm an American (from West Virginia) living in beautiful Devon with my hubby (the UKC) and our 2 1/2 year old daughter (dual). We are hoping to repatriate to the US in about a year to year 1/2 time (once hubby retires from the Royal Marines Commandos). He just recently got a promotion and posting to London, so looks like we will be spending the last of our time here in England in the capital. I'm excited, but am really going to miss Devon, as it has become my home. Look forward to getting to know everyone.
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Hello, everyone. I'm an American (by way of West Virginia) living in Devon, England with my hubby (the UKC) and our 2 1/2 year old daughter (dual). We are hoping to repatriate to the US in about a year/year in a halfs time, once hubby retires from the Royal Marines Commandos. He just recently got a promotion and posting to London, so looks like we will be spending the last bit of our time in England there. Just thought I would get a head start on all the information and paperwork we need to eventually get together. Look forward to learning more and meeting everyone.
Can I have a vent....
in United Kingdom
Posted
Ditto here!