Applying for British Citizenship or Ancestry Visa

[Nick86]

Hi there,

I'm an Australian currently in the UK nearing the end of a 2-year Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa.

I recently found out I should be eligible for UK citizenship due to a change in the law last year (http://www.1stcontact.com/blog/featured ... tizenship/).

My employer plans to sponsor me for a Tier 2 visa but they are worried they can't do the paperwork in time and recommended that I apply for an ancestry visa via an English grandparent. It was during my research into this process that I discovered my recently revised eligibility for UK citizenship.

Any help with some of all of the following questions would be greatly appreciated.

1. Would I be able to apply for my citizenship having lived here for 2 years?

1. Is it possible to apply for British citizenship while in the UK on a Tier 5 visa? If not, is there any way around this? I'm a teacher and my employer wants me around during upcoming exams. (Unfortunately my area of teaching is not officially listed as having a skills shortage regardless of facts on the ground so that wouldn't officially help.)

3. I have booked a 2 week holiday to Australia for a family event and this would mean I return to the UK with about 6 weeks left on my Tier 5 visa. Am I likely to be quizzed heavily on my return?

4. Should I start my application (for either an ancestry visa or citizenship - whichever is possible/quicker/better) before my holiday to Australia so I have proof of the process? The only trouble then would be a lack of passport to travel with.

5. Some sites suggest that I need to be out of the country to apply for an ancestry visa. Would a 3-4 day trip to the continent count or should I aim to do this during my upcoming holiday to Australia?


Many thanks,
Nick

[vinny]

If you are eligible for British citizenship, then go for it. You would probably be British by descent, meaning your subsequent children born outside the UK may not automatically claim British citizenship through you. But they may be entitled to register.