Does being a citizen of a Commonwealth country make it easier to get citizenship or legal resident status in the UK?

October 16, 2007 12:00 PM

Can Canadian citizens become permanent residents or citizens of the UK more easily than, say, a U.S. citizen?

I'm just curious, since Canada--and other Commonwealth countries--share the same queen.

posted by HotPatatta to Law & Government (8 answers total)

See this: Do I need a UK Visa?

See also: How do I know if I am a Commonwealth citizen with the right of abode?

You will have the right of abode as a Commonwealth citizen if you have been a citizen of a Commonwealth country up to 1 January 1983 and, immediately before that date:

you were a Commonwealth citizen with a parent who, at the time of your birth or legal adoption, was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies and had their citizenship by being born in the United Kingdom, or

you were a Commonwealth citizen and are, or were, the wife of a man with the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Pakistan and South Africa were not part of the Commonwealth before 1 January 1983 and their citizens have no right of abode under this provision.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:23 PM on October 16, 2007

While the Commonwealth nations certainly do share ties, they are still independent nations with independent Customs & Immigration bureaucracy. The average Canadian's immigration application to the UK is not likely going to be significantly shorter than an Amercian's or someone from another EU nation.

However, many Canadians seem to have a grandparent, or even parent, who was born in the UK. I'm an ex-pat American living in Canada (and I'm applying for permanent residence here, but that's a whole different beast) and I'm shocked as to how many people I meet are second or third generation UK immigrants. With proper access to a relative's documents, I imagine this could expedite the immigration process.
posted by Nelsormensch at 12:23 PM on October 16, 2007

I wonder why swapsies aren't allowed? I'd rather like to go to Canada... one in, one out
posted by A189Nut at 1:57 PM on October 16, 2007

If you have a grandparent who was from the UK you can work there without a work permit for up to three years.
posted by loiseau at 2:10 PM on October 16, 2007

Sorry, I meant to add that it's called an Ancestry Visa.
posted by loiseau at 2:14 PM on October 16, 2007

Oh... and I was wrong, it's 5 years. Eep! Last post I swear.
posted by loiseau at 2:15 PM on October 16, 2007

The average Canadian's immigration application to the UK is not likely going to be significantly shorter than an Amercian's or someone from another EU nation.

I don't want to nitpick, but EU citizens have MUCH shorter road to legal resident status than Americans, Canadians, Kiwis or Australians.
posted by jedrek at 2:16 PM on October 16, 2007

Note , it is possible to get multiple ancestry visas. In my case we left the UK before we were eligible to become residents, but the foreign office tells me I can get another ancestry visa if I want to return.
posted by bystander at 12:04 AM on October 17, 2007