Just yesterday my friends told me they are not sure if they really need PR in order to apply for BC. So, I read everything I could. One point remains unclear. It is true that EU country can come up with whatever Naturalization rules it feels like, and if the rule was that a EU has to be a holder of that PR sticker for 12 consecutive months prior to applying for BC, that would be fine. But it does not really say anything about stickers. At least I could not find it. Moreover, it uses the same term "permanent residence status" for both purposes - to explain naturalization requirements for EU citizens (domestic law) and acquisition of permanent residence status by EU citizens (EU law). The permanent residence status is acquired by the Principle of Direct Effect. Unless the same term "permanent residence status" changes its meaning over a short paragraph, I do not really understand how PR sticker can be a requirements, under either domestic or community law. Or am I wrong?Obie wrote:Under community law, your friend acquire PR automatically without necessarily needing the PR sticker endorsed on his passport.
When it comes to Naturalisation, this is outside the EU jurisdiction, and the memberstates are free to set the criteria that applicants are expected to meet in order to qualify.
Like here:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... uirements/
If you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or you are the family member of such a person, you will automatically have permanent residence status if you have exercised EEA free-movement rights in the UK for a continuous five-year period ending on or after 30 April 2006. You do not need to apply for leave to remain. You should have held permanent residence status for 12 months before you apply for naturalisation.