Iconic London Blogger, Diamond Geezer recently wrote a very interesting post about what it’s like to attend a British Citizenship ceremony.
From his great post:
Most of us take being British for granted, having had no say whatsoever in the country of our birth. But, for some people, choosing to become British is a very big deal, and not to be undertaken lightly. There are a lot of hoops to jump through. You have to have lived in the UK for at least five years (various technicalities apply). You have to be able to speak English (other home nation languages acceptable). You have to pass a ridiculously difficult “Life in the UK” test that 99% of British nationals would fail (go on, try it). You have to be of good character (no nasty criminals please, because the Daily Mail wouldn’t approve). And you have to want to reside in a country full of fish and chips, queues, drizzle, wonky teeth and various other national stereotypes. At £720 per application, plus costs, only a solvent Anglophile would ever apply.
I think it will be many, many years before I’m able to live in the UK and even longer before I could consider citizenship. However, holding that scarlet passport is on my bucket list nonetheless.
Read the read of Becoming British here.
Author Info - Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile with an obsession for Britain that borders on psychosis. He keeps Anglotopia running in his spare time, always dreaming of his next trip to England, wishing he lived there - specifically Dorset - and is always trying to figure out a way to move to England. It will happen one day. Keep up with him on Twitter here. Read more from this author
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dream of living in the UK a reality.
Yes great post. Don’t worry Jonathon… I’ll be right behind you in that line, if the opprotunity ever presents itself. Us dreamers need to keep together…
720 GBP?!?!?! Holy moly!
That’s leaving out that if you want a simple work Visa you need something like £3000 in the bank for 3 months before you even apply. They certainly don’t want any poor and huddled masses!