British Citizenship For My American Wife

[CarolineLovesPaul 0]

Hi guys.

I know this is a long way off for us as we're getting married in a few weeks and yet to go through the AOS process, but we were both wondering if we would have to go through the same tiresome process again if we both moved back to the UK. Would we have to apply to the UK Border Agency or to the British Embassy here in the Los Angeles, what forms would be required and would it be easier for me to get dual citizenship first (I believe I can apply 3 years after my arrival, which was September 2008) before my wife does the same? I understand that there would be similar conditions (there would be a two year probationary period, for example) but just wonder what visa would be required and to whom would I apply such an application.

Kind regards.

Paul

[ginger1981 0]

Nicky and I have dabbled in this, so I'm hardly an expert but from what I have understood so far, after being married for 3 years the USC is eligible for dual citizenship. I believe the waiting period is relatively short in comparison with the USCIS process.

British EmbassyUSA Website might have some related info of usefulness to you.

[*julez* 124]

The caveat is that that your spouse must be resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more to qualify to become a British citizen, unless the British spouse works abroad for the crown.

Here is the scoop:

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishci...rtnerofcitizen/

But most importantly, you must be of sound mind and have good character.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

You have to take a citizenship test these days too called the Life in the UK test:

http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk/

Apparently it's not easy!

[Hannah+Vito 0]

You have to take a citizenship test these days too called the Life in the UK test:

http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk/

Apparently it's not easy!

i actually know someone who took it and passed when it first came in, i think i'll ask her about that one

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

My friend passed it but said it was difficult and required lots of studying.

[ginger1981 0]

My friend passed it but said it was difficult and required lots of studying.

Looking over some of the sample questions on the website...yes it is very hard! I at least knew the answer to where Geordie was spoken

[Damian&Kelly 16]

I can have dual US/UK citizenship.. even being a US citizen.. my understanding of the US was that if you want citizenship of another country that means you're giving up your US citizenship? I'm confused. but would love to eventually have UK citizenship.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I can have dual US/UK citizenship.. even being a US citizen.. my understanding of the US was that if you want citizenship of another country that means you're giving up your US citizenship? I'm confused. but would love to eventually have UK citizenship.

You don't - you can be a dual citizen

[SwanTiger 0]

I can have dual US/UK citizenship.. even being a US citizen.. my understanding of the US was that if you want citizenship of another country that means you're giving up your US citizenship? I'm confused. but would love to eventually have UK citizenship.

There was a really long discussion about dual citizenship for USCs a while ago. Here's the link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry2124366. Per the State Department, you only give up your US citizenship if you intend to do so. If a USC becomes a citizen of a foreign country but intends to remain a USC, then no harm, no foul.

I also checked out the UK Border Agency regarding UK citizenship and everything I saw was in line with what was stated before: 3 years of living in the UK with a UK spouse. What's the deal here in the US? Is it longer? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the beneficiary has to reside in the US for 6 years... I hope my memory is faulty.

[MargotDarko 0]

I can have dual US/UK citizenship.. even being a US citizen.. my understanding of the US was that if you want citizenship of another country that means you're giving up your US citizenship? I'm confused. but would love to eventually have UK citizenship.

There was a really long discussion about dual citizenship for USCs a while ago. Here's the link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry2124366. Per the State Department, you only give up your US citizenship if you intend to do so. If a USC becomes a citizen of a foreign country but intends to remain a USC, then no harm, no foul.

I also checked out the UK Border Agency regarding UK citizenship and everything I saw was in line with what was stated before: 3 years of living in the UK with a UK spouse. What's the deal here in the US? Is it longer? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the beneficiary has to reside in the US for 6 years... I hope my memory is faulty.

When the person is becoming a USC based on marriage, then they can apply 3 years after becoming a permanent resident, with some exceptions like no trips out of the US for six months or longer. For example, my husband got his CR1 visa last November, and he became a permanent resident in January this year. So in January of 2011, he will be sending in his application for US citizenship.

[SwanTiger 0]

I would not worry too much about the lifeintheuk test. The problem with the test is that it is geared totally to memorizing dates, names and locations. Even persons born in the UK could not walk through it without study the guide first.

I bought the study guide, read the chapters required over a period of two weeks, and got friends and work collegues to test me each day.

I guess there would be increased difficulty if a person did not have a confident grasp of the english language. However, it is just a case of memorizing chunks of information. Then you are sat down in front of computer to complete 45 multiple choice questions (IIRC). Then after you complete it, 5 minutes later, you have your results.

Best way to describe it would be the same as studying for a driving theory test. I don't remember the safe stopping distances when travelling at a certain speed

Tiger.

[SwanTiger 0]

I can have dual US/UK citizenship.. even being a US citizen.. my understanding of the US was that if you want citizenship of another country that means you're giving up your US citizenship? I'm confused. but would love to eventually have UK citizenship.

There was a really long discussion about dual citizenship for USCs a while ago. Here's the link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry2124366. Per the State Department, you only give up your US citizenship if you intend to do so. If a USC becomes a citizen of a foreign country but intends to remain a USC, then no harm, no foul.

I also checked out the UK Border Agency regarding UK citizenship and everything I saw was in line with what was stated before: 3 years of living in the UK with a UK spouse. What's the deal here in the US? Is it longer? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the beneficiary has to reside in the US for 6 years... I hope my memory is faulty.

When the person is becoming a USC based on marriage, then they can apply 3 years after becoming a permanent resident, with some exceptions like no trips out of the US for six months or longer. For example, my husband got his CR1 visa last November, and he became a permanent resident in January this year. So in January of 2011, he will be sending in his application for US citizenship.

Very cool. Hope it works just as smoothly and quickly for those entering on K-1 and getting married within in 90 days of arrival.

[MargotDarko 0]

I can have dual US/UK citizenship.. even being a US citizen.. my understanding of the US was that if you want citizenship of another country that means you're giving up your US citizenship? I'm confused. but would love to eventually have UK citizenship.

There was a really long discussion about dual citizenship for USCs a while ago. Here's the link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry2124366. Per the State Department, you only give up your US citizenship if you intend to do so. If a USC becomes a citizen of a foreign country but intends to remain a USC, then no harm, no foul.

I also checked out the UK Border Agency regarding UK citizenship and everything I saw was in line with what was stated before: 3 years of living in the UK with a UK spouse. What's the deal here in the US? Is it longer? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the beneficiary has to reside in the US for 6 years... I hope my memory is faulty.

When the person is becoming a USC based on marriage, then they can apply 3 years after becoming a permanent resident, with some exceptions like no trips out of the US for six months or longer. For example, my husband got his CR1 visa last November, and he became a permanent resident in January this year. So in January of 2011, he will be sending in his application for US citizenship.

Very cool. Hope it works just as smoothly and quickly for those entering on K-1 and getting married within in 90 days of arrival.

For those entering on the K1, it works the same once they have the green card. They can apply based on marriage three years from receiving their green card after adjustment of status as long as they don't have breaks of six months or longer of presence in the US.