bitful

Ever since I moved back to the UK in May 2002 to settle down for good, it was my strong intention to apply for naturalisation. Ever since then, I have a filled naturalisation application form from the Home Office ready in a folder, waiting for the day when I can finally apply.

However, between then and now, the rules have changed a few times, and it is rather unsettling. It's as if, uhm, the UK would not want me here, like.

The following information is from the Indefinite Leave to Remain article on Wikipedia (yes, I know, it's Wikipedia, but as it summarises changes in the law, it's easily verifiable - I hope):

• Prior to 1 October 2000, EU citizens were deemed to be permanent residents immediately upon taking up residence in the UK.
• Between 2 October 2000 and 29 April 2006, a EU citizen could be granted permanent residence on application after four years resident in the United Kingdom, and could apply for naturalisation after five years (or three years if married to a UK citizen).
• From April 2006, Indefinite Leave to Remain can be applied for after five years residency, and must be held for at least one year before applying for naturalisation.
• I used to be proud of the fact that my British degree automatically proved my knowledge of English. The exemption has been removed, and I will have to sit through the compulsory Life in the UK test that was introduced in October 2005.
• Last week, UK Chancellor Gordon Brown argued that immigrants must earn citizenship declared that it is 'right to consider asking men and women seeking citizenship to undertake some community work in our communities'.
• Yesterday there were talks of plans to stop illegal immigrants getting housing, healthcare or work, including a proposal to run a pilot scheme to send text messages reminding people not to overstay their visas.

I am now by law an Italian national and a temporary resident in the UK. Even if I do obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain, it can be curtailed by the Home Secretary for reasons of national security, and will be lost if I leave the UK for more than 2 years. And in any case, Indefinite Leave to Remain does not constitute a formal Right of Abode in the United Kingdom.

I have elected the glorious shores of Albion to provide the peaceful setting for the rest of my life. The UK is my home now, it always will be and I want to feel that nothing can come between it and myself. At the moment nothing and nobody can force me to leave it, but you never know. An idiotic war? The EU splitting up? A new law in Italy withdrawing the right to travel from all citizens born on a Saturday?

So I am applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain this coming May, with a view to applying for naturalisation in May 2008. Although something tells me the rules are going to be made tougher and tougher on several occasions between now and then.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 8th, 2007 at 6:46 am and last modified on March 8th, 2007 at 6:48 am, and is filed under uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.