Renouncing British Citizenship to use EEA FP route

[tigerram]

I changed address at the same time as asking for my passport back. They rang me the next day and asked to what address it should be sent to and if I wanted it sent courier or first class. This was a day after I had rang them to ask for website info.

Are you based in South Africa? Not sure they would ring there. Also, if they haven't taken the money by now I would be concerned and ask to speak to an office manager.

[Lissa6]

Oh i see, I'm guessing it's a bit easier when you are actually in the UK.

The did take the money off a few days after the 9th July. So.. I know they have it at least!
It will possibly be a good idea to speak to an office manager.

I wonder if they don't hurry it along because we are "giving up" our citizenship to Britain...
Thanks for sharing what you are going through and your experiences. It helps to know that we aren't the only ones..

[tigerram]

They are under no obligation to give any information. It's an option, but an unlikely one.

They don't hurry it along because they are surely understaffed, underpaid and unaccountable. A dangerous combination. Honestly my case is so straightforward they could deal with it in the time it takes me to write this message. But I guess they work on cases to a time frame and do other sorts of administration around this area.

I am hoping that if the confirmation turns up on the doormat tomorrow, or soon at any rate, posting the news here will bring some hope and relief to those in dire need of a reasonably speedy resolution to their own nationality situation. It must be horrible sat waiting for it to be sorted out to be reunited with loved ones.

[mfhkay]

Hi Angela,
Sorry to pop in when you and Clive are doing do well getting all this sorted (btw I think he has so much more knowledge than those that are on the FB group).

I also renounced British citizenship and my non EU husband has just gotten his 5 year RC. I'm mid forties and have a very settled life in the UK with lots of ties and commitments. I couldn't have gone to another EU country to do SS that's why I gave up BC and relied on my Irish passport to get the RC for my husband.

It's not an easy decision by any means. When you put your British passport in an envelope knowing that you'll never see it again, it's very hard, I hope your son is aware of the drasticness of it all.

hi lunagirl i am about to give up my bc just i wanna know were you always been living in uk or were you born in ireland

[mfhkay]

hello
I am just worried I have dual nationality was born in england and been living in england all my life I am affraid
they will refuse my husband application for EEA2 because I am using my irish nationality and i was english
can anyone help

[Lissa6]

hello
I am just worried I have dual nationality was born in england and been living in england all my life I am affraid
they will refuse my husband application for EEA2 because I am using my irish nationality and i was english
can anyone help

Hi mfhkay,

I'm not 100% sure, but I live in South Africa and was told by a immigration company that the only way to get my South Africa husband into England was to give up my British citizenship and go in on my Irish passport as a EU citizen, with the EEA family permit for my husband.
I was told that seeing that I am british born they would expect me to go in on the British passport, questioning why I am using the Irish instead, or just not give the family permit to me seeing that I am a British citizen.
I don't have the money necessary to come to the UK on the British passport.

Quite ridiculous that I we as British can't get in with our families on a British passport...

I'm not to sure the difference for you as you have lived in the UK, but from what I've read others are also giving their citizenship up to get their partners into the UK. Hope that is of some help!

[Lissa6]

Hi again,

Does anyone know if you are able to go to the office in Liverpool and speak to someone?
My father is in the UK at the moment, I'm just trying to see if anyone knows if this is an option or not!

Thanks

[tigerram]

hello
I am just worried I have dual nationality was born in england and been living in england all my life I am affraid
they will refuse my husband application for EEA2 because I am using my irish nationality and i was english
can anyone help

The ruling is that if you are a dual national, you will be counted as British for their purposes. They will refuse it.

[White Emerald]

Hi Tigerram,

Are you still awaiting your returned and stamped RN application? How many weeks has it been now?

[mfhkay]

Hi again,

Does anyone know if you are able to go to the office in Liverpool and speak to someone?
My father is in the UK at the moment, I'm just trying to see if anyone knows if this is an option or not!

Thanks

i think you can if you call them in this number 0300 123 2253
i think i will take a german course and go to germany with my partner and stay there with him better than all those problem

[tigerram]

Hi Tigerram,

Are you still awaiting your returned and stamped RN application? How many weeks has it been now?

Entering Week 18. Not impressed, but they are under no obligation to deal with it until those six months are nearly up.

[tigerram]

Hi again,

Does anyone know if you are able to go to the office in Liverpool and speak to someone?
My father is in the UK at the moment, I'm just trying to see if anyone knows if this is an option or not!

Thanks

No. They are not set up for that; they will just fob off your father, and under the data protection act, they would probably insist to speak to you on the phone anyway. Individuals can be helpful but as a whole they are not a people-friendly institution and are not set up as such.

If you call in the afternoon, it should be a simple call without being put on hold for too long. Yes it costs money but hey everything in this process costs money.

[White Emerald]

Hi Tigerram,

Are you still awaiting your returned and stamped RN application? How many weeks has it been now?

Entering Week 18. Not impressed, but they are under no obligation to deal with it until those six months are nearly up.

That is just terrible news! both for you personally and from my viewpoint too; that's 4.5 months, which is the longest time I've read on here. I'd read 2-3 months for quite a few and even 1 month for one lucky person. Mine won't be 12 weeks until the 21st of this month which is still a full 6 weeks short of how long you have been waiting. Although, they cover themselves with the 'up to 6 months', I'd never actually heard of it taking that long and It's putting a terrible strain on my marriage. I needed to take a holiday recently just to meet up.

However, if this is how long it's going to take I think it's time to start looking at looking for work in another EU country. Can you guess as to why It's taking this long? Do you think they have a backlog or have they just twigged as to why so many are renouncing? I know you can't give a definitive answer, just searching an opinion.

[tigerram]

I am sorry it is affecting your marriage. Considering my marriage is set to be more or less six months after the process started, chances are it will not affect my situation. I will soon check if they have accidentally sent correspondence to my old address.

Why is it taking so long? We cannot say exactly but given the hardening political climate towards immigration and the cuts in funding to many government departments: it's not surprising. The Conservatives are also in power for another five years, this time without the Libs in tow. This is all speculation. There is no point guessing their motivation; however, don't kid yourself that they are set up to help immigration. If you look at the ways in which the UK system clashes with European directives which should take priority, you will not be surprised there will be delays and problems. They will never be anything but awkward over something which they wish to discourage.

[White Emerald]

I am sorry it is affecting your marriage. Considering my marriage is set to be more or less six months after the process started, chances are it will not affect my situation. I will soon check if they have accidentally sent correspondence to my old address.

Why is it taking so long? We cannot say exactly but given the hardening political climate towards immigration and the cuts in funding to many government departments: it's not surprising. The Conservatives are also in power for another five years, this time without the Libs in tow. This is all speculation. There is no point guessing their motivation; however, don't kid yourself that they are set up to help immigration. If you look at the ways in which the UK system clashes with European directives which should take priority, you will not be surprised there will be delays and problems. They will never be anything but awkward over something which they wish to discourage.

I've been married just over a year and it took me a while to find a job and accomodation as I'd been working abroad for 10 years. However, I made a fundamental mistake mistake myself only realising the dual nationality rule as I was about to send all the pre-prepaired documents to my wife. This is where a lot of the stress started and is now continuing and I'm angry with myself for not noticing this from the start. With your application entering its 18th week, I've nothing to show me that mine will be processed any quicker; therefore, I'm ready to look for work in another EU country. It's a major decision as it took me a lot to get all this set up but we can't wait another 4 months.

I'm certain that all you have written above is correct. I find it disgusting how they treat their own citizens with such contempt. When I told people about the £2,500 extra you need to earn per child, some were shocked and others disgusted. In Italy, I was told all you need is your wedding certificate and a job.

[Lissa6]

Hi,

Well you were right tigerram., My dad phoned and he was told the renunciation department was in the "depth" of another department and they aren't allowed to put calls through. Nor can you go to the office. The guy that spoke with my dad gave the same "6 months" story, although he did say he has never heard of it taking a full 6 months. (I had phoned twice before and received the 6 month response)

Well all there is to do is sit and wait! Life on hold so to speak is exhausting. If we had the option and savings to go to another country we would definitely be looking at something like that. Even if it was for 6 months.
My whole family is moving over, we are just waiting for my parents house to be sold! Hopefully we will all get our documents soon!

[White Emerald]

Hi,

Well you were right tigerram., My dad phoned and he was told the renunciation department was in the "depth" of another department and they aren't allowed to put calls through. Nor can you go to the office. The guy that spoke with my dad gave the same "6 months" story, although he did say he has never heard of it taking a full 6 months. (I had phoned twice before and received the 6 month response)

Well all there is to do is sit and wait! Life on hold so to speak is exhausting. If we had the option and savings to go to another country we would definitely be looking at something like that. Even if it was for 6 months.
My whole family is moving over, we are just waiting for my parents house to be sold! Hopefully we will all get our documents soon!

It's so frustrating isn't it. I've been re-reading some posts on here about renunciation from December last year and many were getting their stamped forms back in 2 months. I've been looking for work but it's also going to take time. I really hope everyone waiting will get their forms soon.

[White Emerald]

Has anyone waiting had any positive news on their RN application? Tigerram, you must be going into your 19th week now? It seems to have gone very silent again. Also, I read that as the spouse of an Irish citizen, you would qualify for Irish citizenship if residing in NI for 3 consecutive years as it is considered part of Ireland; is this correct? Any information or links on this would be appreciated. Good luck to all those waiting.

[tigerram]

I think I miscalculated and it will be 17 weeks from tomorrow.

From what I know, the Irish citizenship rules will count in the circumstances you mention. Check with Irish immigration; they should be much easier to deal with than the UK lot.

[Lissa6]

Hi all,

Nothing new from this side either! We are heading to week 15 now. So not to far behind.. speaking of Ireland etc, do you know what the cost of living is in comparison to the UK? in terms of renting, working etc.

[BCarter]

Hi guys,

I am in the same position as you, coming up to four months now and still nothing back about my renounciation. My wife and myself speak everyday and I wouldnt say its causing a major strain on our marriage but it does not help us being so far from each other!

Anyway, lets keep the faith and hopefully soon we all get the replies we need. In the meantime if anyone gets a reply it would be awesome if they would reply on this thread so that the rest of us know roughly how long theirs took so we can gauge how long more we might have to wait.

Be strong guys!

[White Emerald]

I think I miscalculated and it will be 17 weeks from tomorrow.

From what I know, the Irish citizenship rules will count in the circumstances you mention. Check with Irish immigration; they should be much easier to deal with than the UK lot.

Thanks Tigerram! So you're going into the 17th week; wow still over 4 months. Maybe this while problem with the influx of migrants has caused the delay. Who knows, but we're all waiting much longer than those who were in the same boat even 6 months ago. All I can do is repeat BCarter's words and wish everyone the best of luck; I hope none of us has to wait the full 6 months. I wonder have they twigged as to why people are now renouncing and are therefore deliberately leaving the process the full 6 months? Just a thought.

[BCarter]

I think I miscalculated and it will be 17 weeks from tomorrow.

From what I know, the Irish citizenship rules will count in the circumstances you mention. Check with Irish immigration; they should be much easier to deal with than the UK lot.

Thanks Tigerram! So you're going into the 17th week; wow still over 4 months. Maybe this while problem with the influx of migrants has caused the delay. Who knows, but we're all waiting much longer than those who were in the same boat even 6 months ago. All I can do is repeat BCarter's words and wish everyone the best of luck; I hope none of us has to wait the full 6 months. I wonder have they twigged as to why people are now renouncing and are therefore deliberately leaving the process the full 6 months? Just a thought.

Perhaps they figure we have to wait anyway so they prioritise other forms of application like asylum, EEA routes etc since they could be more restricted for time when it comes to those?.. i'm just speculating of course and just hope soon that things all work out.

[White Emerald]

Perhaps they figure we have to wait anyway so they prioritise other forms of application like asylum, EEA routes etc since they could be more restricted for time when it comes to those?.. i'm just speculating of course and just hope soon that things all work out.

Quite possible! I'm sure the influx of assylum seekers hasn't helped the speed of the process but it could be any one of a number of reasons or a mixture of them all. It's all so cloak and dagger, that's what really gets me; the deliberate unavailability. I've been looking at work in other EU countries but no joy at present. Looks like we may just have to grin and bear it.

[louise2]

Hi al i am wishing to add my story.

I am known on this board as Louise however cannot access that account so chaoclive if your reading , Hi

I am also in the process of waiting for my renunciation of my british citizenship, I too at present am Irish and British, my husband is american.

The home office received my renunciation back on the 5th may 2015, payment was taken around 16th june 2015 ( due to a problem with payment being made, that delayed things slightly. I called cashiers made payment .

Then nothing, for a few weeks , then received a letter saying thank you for my application for British citizenship. yip i got one too. I wasnt going to email them so called the only number i had which was cashiers they laughed it of and said do not worry error on their side and my application for renunciation was in.

I still to this day havnt received my renunciation and it will be 6 months on the 5th November 2015.

And the waiting game continues, i too have rang them to chase things up , im also told there is nothing they will tell me until 6 months have passed. I have emailed them to be told the same thing. It is slowly destroying my marriage , my husband and I are so frustrated , upset , all the different emotions im sure you can all understand. I honestly thought i would have had my renunciation done by summer holidays thought be nice for kids .. nope, now all i can is hope is he home for xmas, but at the back of your mind you start to wonder will they find anything to not process it. They have had both of my passports ( Irish and British) for neally 6 months now, and every day when postman come slight hope comes, then quickly goes where there is nothing.

I am sorry for you al in the waiting game. but at least we are not alone.