Belgian in UK wanting British Citizenship

[nickuk282]

Hi guys,

Hopefully someone can help me to the correct answer to this.

Me and my wife have been married for nearly 10 years (Oct 2003). I am a UK national by birth.

We lived in Belgium originally which she is a citizen of. In 2006 we moved to the UK, gained a N.I number for her and have lived here ever since.

Now, her Belgian I.D has expired and we thought we might be able to get her a British passport but it has proved allot more complicated than I ever expected.

I see that she needs to become a British citizen but despite speaking to several Border Agency staff it seems to be the worlds best kept secret.

I think she needs to fill in an AN form ... paying around £900 for the fee and go through the ceremony etc and then she can apply for the passport....

I am beginning to think applying to the Belgian embassy in London to renew her passport would be the cheapest option. There is no other reason she needs the citizenship.

I would appreciate any advise, help and opinions on this.

Thanks so much
Nick

[Plum70]

To make it short - Yes, it will no doubt be cheaper, quicker, easier and wiser to renew your wife's Belgian passport/ID!

Obtaining any nationality is a big deal and certainly not comparable to renewing a travel document.

Since your wife is not interested in naturalising it is pointless clarifying the path to British Citizenship and, at a cost of £851 to start off, it seems obvious which way to go.

[nickuk282]

Yeah, it does seems so. Unfortunately means a trip to London to renew it

[Plum70]

Yeah, it does seems so. Unfortunately means a trip to London to renew it

Still, cheaper!