anarchist_nomad | You've Got Questions, I've Got Answers! (Reply)

In other news, we received a letter from the Home Office yesterday.

cheshcat's application to become a British citizen has been approved! Huzzah!!

Here are a couple of Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers) that we have received from our dear friends:

Q: Does this mean that she is a citizen now?
A: No, not quite yet.
Q: What does it mean then?
A: It means that, as far as cheshcat is concerned, we are done filling out forms, dealing with the UK Border Agency, and paying exorbitant fees for visa applications.
Q: So what else does she have to do to become a citizen?
A: The final step in the process is for her to participate in a Citizenship Ceremony. After taking a formal affirmation of allegiance to the Crown and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom, she will shake hands with the Lord Lieutenant and receive her certificate of citizenship. Then, she will be a British citizen.
Q: Sounds good -- when does this happen?
A: Her Citizenship Ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday December 6^th. That is less than five weeks away!
Q: Will she lose her US-American citizenship?
A: No. Contrary to widespread believe, the US does permit its citizens to hold multiple citizenships. After the Citizenship Ceremony takes place, my beloved cheshcat will be dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Q: What's the point? Why is she even bothering with all this, especially since you both have indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom?
A: Good question! Although we have both achieved permanent residency in the UK, there are still advantages to becoming a citizen. These include: (1) the right to vote, (2) the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union, (3) permanency -- indefinite leave to remain is revoked if you leave the UK for more than two years; citizenship is generally a permanent thing.
Q: If becoming a British citizen is so great, why aren't you doing it, too, Nomad?
A: The Home Office has some rather stringent requirements for becoming a British citizen. One is that you have a completely clean "criminal" record, which counts driving convictions. I had a driving offense back in 2009, so I am ineligible until it falls off of my record. It takes five years for minor offenses to be removed from one's record, so I plan to apply for my own British citizenship in 2014.
Q: Now that at least one of you will be a shiny new Brit, are you still going to be coming back across the pond to visit all your lovely US friends?
A: Of course! Next visit is planned for December and January -- can't wait to see many of you then, my dear friends!