To be or not to be???

[bigtombowski]

I think it's just a case of weighing up the POSITIVES and the NEGATIVES . . . and seeing what is most important to you . . .

also . .. do you plan to both stay in UK, or do you plan to move away eventually - maybe to retire in Phils? ummm

i have no experience or advice to offer, just random musings

tom

[joebloggs]

as bigtom said, it depends on what your plans are..

i take it if you need to take the test and your married, your on a 2 year spouse visa ? .. if so, like you said you need to take the test and before you apply for ILR, or if you don't you need to apply for FLR for 2 years.

whats wrong with dual nationality ? .. then your free to go and do what you want without any restrictions. ILR has restrictions on how long you can leave the country, and also you stll can be refused entry clearance by an immigration officer at the airport

[hilda_danao]

Hi Flomike!
the decision is yours but if i were you,if i have the chance now to become a british national, i would. unluckily i am 1 year here yet. you can give up filipino citizenship, have british nationality, and then you can reacquire filipino citizenship afterwards by having dual nationality. Dual nationality right now is quite a debate in Philippines. the issue is, how can a dual national serve 2 masters, to whom would you be more loyal, stuff and stuff....the gov't might abolished it one day. so i think you should grab the chance while it's still allowed by the philippine gov't. it's just my suggestion.

[flomike]

Hi Flomike!
the decision is yours but if i were you,if i have the chance now to become a british national, i would. unluckily i am 1 year here yet. you can give up filipino citizenship, have british nationality, and then you can reacquire filipino citizenship afterwards by having dual nationality. Dual nationality right now is quite a debate in Philippines. the issue is, how can a dual national serve 2 masters, to whom would you be more loyal, stuff and stuff....the gov't might abolished it one day. so i think you should grab the chance while it's still allowed by the philippine gov't. it's just my suggestion.

thanks for the advice hilda_danao
I'll think that citizenship next year after our holiday in the Phils this Christmas about dual nationality I believe if you give up your filipino nationality that's it diba that's the choice you've made and stand for it! And they said you can't do things at the same time

[flomike]

as bigtom said, it depends on what your plans are..

i take it if you need to take the test and your married, your on a 2 year spouse visa ? .. if so, like you said you need to take the test and before you apply for ILR, or if you don't you need to apply for FLR for 2 years.

whats wrong with dual nationality ? .. then your free to go and do what you want without any restrictions. ILR has restrictions on how long you can leave the country, and also you stll can be refused entry clearance by an immigration officer at the airport

I am a permanent residence now here in the UK or is that ILR in another term? Yeah I know that I am not allowed to leave the country not morethan 2 years though my me and my husband plan in the near future is to stay in the Phils for 6 months and 6 months here! I didn't know that there's a chance that I might refuse to entry here for sure my husband will be like a rambo in the airport just incase it happens Well, with so many changes happen now in immigration I might think that British citizenship next year just that I am too lazy to read that book its so boring But thanks for the advice I appreciate it guys

[andypaul]

I am a permanent residence now here in the UK or is that ILR in another term? Yeah I know that I am not allowed to leave the country not morethan 2 years though my me and my husband plan in the near future is to stay in the Phils for 6 months and 6 months here! I didn't know that there's a chance that I might refuse to entry here for sure my husband will be like a rambo in the airport just incase it happens Well, with so many changes happen now in immigration I might think that British citizenship next year just that I am too lazy to read that book its so boring But thanks for the advice I appreciate it guys

If its a case of just wheter to take the exam due to the fact you have to revise and not money or a big problem with having dual nationality.
Do it is my advice many on here have taken it and not found it to tough.

I think they have already made it so that phills that have lost/given up phill nationality can still hold propety and business in phill in some form (im sure i read that somewhere) the phills goverment can't afford to anoy the huge wallet of the ofw masses, they will work out some way of allowing you to invest your money in the country.

Like Joe says the rules are only going to get tougher not easier for non europeans regarding visas so while its relatively simple start reading that book it might save your hubby having to wear a headband shooting people in heathrow

[joebloggs]

I am a permanent residence now here in the UK or is that ILR in another term? Yeah I know that I am not allowed to leave the country not morethan 2 years though my me and my husband plan in the near future is to stay in the Phils for 6 months and 6 months here! I didn't know that there's a chance that I might refuse to entry here for sure my husband will be like a rambo in the airport just incase it happens Well, with so many changes happen now in immigration I might think that British citizenship next year just that I am too lazy to read that book its so boring But thanks for the advice I appreciate it guys

how long have you been living in the uk ? , you mean you need to take the test before you can apply for naturalization/Citizenship?..
when you have ILR the uk is suppose to be your permenant home, the entry clearance officer can still question you if you have ILR, as you still are 'subject to immigration control' and even refuse you entry if you leave the uk, but i've no idea how often this happens, but it can, other users might have experience of this, when they've come back to the uk, i think rarely thou. , if your in and out of the uk for 6 months a time, maybe they would ask you about if the uk is your permenant home, unless its to do with employment. but yes upto 2 years you should be fine, but then i've read about people who have been refused entry after more than 2 years outside the uk, and have had to go back to thier country and apply for a spouse visa again, but i think there is a form you can fill in instead.

but if your planning to go in and out the uk for 6 months a time, maybe you would make your life easier by applying for naturalization.

[flomike]

Hi joe, been here for 3 years now I just had my residency last year before the new law in taking exam for spouse visa takes effect that's why Im quite lucky bec I didnt' go through that process but if I want to be a British citizen I must take the test:( Yeah Im going to make a decision next year and condition my self in reading as Im not fond of reading Thanks for the nice advice

[flomike]

I think it's just a case of weighing up the POSITIVES and the NEGATIVES . . . and seeing what is most important to you . . .

also . .. do you plan to both stay in UK, or do you plan to move away eventually - maybe to retire in Phils? ummm

i have no experience or advice to offer, just random musings

tom

salamat tom
your effort is morethan appreciated My husband wants to semi retire in the Phils may be in 10 years time so like you said I have to weigh in what's the good and bad and if i have the decision by next year I'll post it here