Growing up, as an American, we had to pledge allegiance to the flag every morning in school. It’s just what was done. Now, grown up and a permanent resident in the United Kingdom, despite not being able to claim citizenship yet, I also, in my own way, pledge allegiance to the Queen. I am proud to live in, work in and raise my family in the United Kingdom. I have never had to defend myself or my right to reside in this country until this year but now it seems that I do. So let me tell you how I’ve come to live in this great United Kingdom and what it means to me.
6 years ago I started my very long, arduous and rather expensive path to becoming a permanent resident. After entering the UK in June of 2005 (on a 6 month, no-Visa-required-because-I-am-an-American stay) I began to research what Mark and I would need to do to get married legally in the UK and for me to continue to reside here. The first step on our path was for me to apply for a Fiancee Visa as Mark and I were engaged and planned to marry in March of 2006. In order for me to do that I had to get OUT of the UK and apply in my home country (USA). I sent off the necessary paperwork, secured an appointment at the British Embassy in Chicago, Illinois and then headed back to the US in the middle of September 2005. I was advised (by Expat websites and Government data) that all paperwork that supported the evidence of our relationship was to be provided. I went through phone bills, postcards, emails and compiled a neat and tidy dossier showing that Mark and I intended to be wed in a normal fashion and weren’t just trying to fool the government.
I spent a long weekend in Chicago with my Mom and 2 other friends and visited the British Embassy for my appointment. The clerk assigned to my “case” went over all of my documents and asked questions while I nervously fidgeted in my seat. Ultimately, I was granted a Fiancee Visa with Temporary Leave to Remain. A sticker was placed in my US passport and I would be permitted to enter the UK and remain until the end of March 2006, after we were married. We would have to apply for a Marriage Visa and Limited Leave to Remain status after the marriage. I wouldn’t be able to apply for Permanent Resident Status and Unlimited Leave to Remain until we had been married for 2 years (March 2008).
All of these stages of visas, leave to remain and appointments were stressful, paper-heavy and EXPENSIVE. If memory serves me, each step was around £500 in costs not including transport to interviews and postage costs. Prior to being granted Permanent Resident Status/Unlimited Leave to Remain in March 2008, the government changed the protocol for application and required all applicants to take the UK Citizenship Test in addition to the paperwork and £500+ fee. I studied and studied. Heavily pregnant and full of inane knowledge about the UK I took the exam in a room where I appeared to be the only native English speaker. Approximately 5 minutes later, I left the room, having passed the test with flying colours (25/25) and would eventually be granted my Permanent Resident status.
Thankfully, after Mark and I were married and we were granted our Marriage Visa and Limited Leave to Remain status, I was allowed to seek employment. As of 2006, I became the proud bearer of a National Insurance Number and began paying taxes through my work. I was allowed to benefit from the NHS as any other citizen/leave-holder would be. England was now my official home and despite not being able to vote (as I am not, technically, a citizen) I have always been proud to live and reside here. I do fully intend to become a citizen of the UK (I would retain my American citizenship & officially be a dual citizen) as I plan to reside here for the forseeable future and am proudly raising my half-English/half-American daughter with my ever so wonderful English husband in this country. The cost of becoming a citizen is the prohibitive factor for the time being but one day, I will indeed pledge allegiance to the Queen and look forward to doing so.
Why am I relating all of this perhaps boring scintilating information to you? Well, in the last year, I have had people question my right to benefit from the UK and even point out to me that I perhaps don’t have a right to criticise the country in which I live. I know I have been critical of the NHS and have whinged from time to time about other annoying situations when I perhaps shouldn’t have. But guess what? When I was a full-time resident of the US, you can bet your sweet bippy that I was critical of government decisions that affected me. I whinged about annoying situations from time to time. It’s what people do. But is that only permissable when you are a citizen of the country about which you are whinging? NO! There are plenty of British Citizens who complain about America and other countries. And there are plenty of British Citizens who are critical of the British Government and all that comes with it. So why is it OK for them and not for me? I contribute to the UK through National Insurance, taxes and my presence. I have birthed another citizen of the empire and am cooking up another so am I not permitted to shout when something is wrong?
I have fully adopted life in the UK. I pronounce words the way they are meant to be pronounced, I spell the way the English do, I drive (fully licensed) on the left side of the road and obey all rules of the road. I make tea and enjoy drinking it, I use my food utensils properly and am quite fond of the Royal Family (well, most of them anyway). I do my part and say “we” when referring to my adopted homeland. I even support England Football when the chips are down (as they usually seem to be these days). So what more do I have to do to be accepted? Shell out £600+ to participate in a ceremony where I officially pledge allegiance to the Queen and get a certificate and UK passport to take away? Well, I’m working on that. But will that make a difference? Does that suddenly grant me the permission and acceptance to whinge about the UK? You tell me!
I have also been told that writing critically requires skill in order to NOT incite backlash. Apparently I don’t have it. I can say that I have really tried to be respectful of my adopted home and curtail my whinging since events occurred earlier this year as it’s never been my desire to offend or upset. I’m simply a wife/mother/woman who has become frustrated from time to time and has used her blog to vent those frustrations. I’m going to go make a cuppa now, have some scones and keep calm while carrying on. Oh, and sing “God Save the Queen” while doing so…feel free to join me…pip pip!
I don’t really have anything insightful to add but just wanted to ask ‘pledge allegiance to the Queen?!’ Do they really ask people to do that? Just as well they don’t ask people who were born here because there’s no way I’d do it! (Although I shall spare you my socialist ranting!!) I did use to work with an American who spent THE ENTIRE DAY (and I’m not exaggerating) criticising this country and every aspect of our daily lives, while telling us how it was much better in the States. Now that was annoying. But I think everyone is perfectly entitled to have a whinge about the country that they live in – who could blame anyone for that?! Personally, I think a wee rant now and then is perfectly acceptable.
Hi, I recently became a citizen of the UK through marriage (my husband is English too) and I can totally relate to what you have been through. I believe we contribute to this country, like you said through taxes etc, more than some British people so a little criticism should be ok. Besides who doesn’t critise governments these days whether your own or any other?
I understand where you’re coming from perfectly. I went through the same processes as you, except that I got my permanent residency in 2005 and didn’t have to take the test. The one thing that I would question, though, is your assertion that you will become a dual citizen… It’s not possible. If you become a British Citizen, you will have to give up your American citizenship. America does not recognise dual citizenship UNLESS you have another citizenship through birth. My son is a dual British/American citizen, but I can not be. I’ve been through this with the embassy and unless rules have changed in the last few months, I’m pretty sure it’s still a no go.
If you know something I don’t, though, PLEASE do say, as I would be SO happy to be able to become a dual citizen.
As far as your right to whinge about the UK, I think it’s inherent in living here. You are a PERMANENT RESIDENT, and everyone has the right to complain about their home. It’s like a homeowner telling a renter that he can’t complain about his house because he doesn’t own it. It’s just silly.
Katie- I had investigated this pretty thoroughly and have never heard that you had to renounce your American citizenship to become a British Citizen. I looked on the US Embassy site (UK) & it says that in the 1980′s the Supreme Court stated that no Americans would have to renounce their US Citizenship to become a dual-national of another country AS LONG AS that country permits dual citizenship. Due to the “special relationship” with the US and UK, it is permitted. Both Jen and Susanna, who are founders of BritMums and Americans, are dual citizens of the UK and US & have not had to give up US citizenship. This article has a simple answer to it as well: http://www.ehow.com/how_6388333_apply-dual-citizenship-uk.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask
Maybe it’s down to me being married to a British Citizen?? Not sure! But everything I have read and been told indicates that I can become a British Citizen…just looked at the fee though and now it’s up to over £800!! Might be a while yet!
Karin
interesting, challenging – great Day 1 post! Go you!
Everyone has a right to an opinion and you can’t please all of the people all of the time.
All I would add, this is not a critique of you – just something for people to think about. I spent 6 years working with Asylum seekers. Imagine that process, if you feared persecution if you failed to jump through all the hoops correctly, often people are rejected on a formality of paperwork not because of their claim. Imagine doing all that without money, having arrived with nothing, with no one to support you and doing all that in a language not your own, in culture that is unfamiliar and still at the end wanting to Pledge Allegiance to the Queen – always amazed me!
Gemma,
Thank you love!
The asylum process is nightmarish! And I know how tenuous your applications can be if the “T” isn’t crossed or the “i” isn’t dotted right and how confusing it all can be with the “legalese” that these forms are written in. We nearly cocked up the Marriage Visa with the PHOTOCOPY of Hubby’s Divorce Decree instead of the OFFICIAL ORIGINAL copy that we should have had. The woman took kindly to us and let it slide. How ridiculous that having the wrong type of evidence could prevent you from achieving your goal AND losing you your fee. Shocking!
Thanks for the support for Day 1 of NaBloPoMo!
Karin
Yasemin,
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your support and it’s nice to know that someone else has been through this as well.
Karin
Thrifty,
Yes, that is the protocol for the Citizenship Ceremony! And I do know a lot of nationals who are ridicuously critical of their adoptive homelands which is not fair. I have never felt that the US is perfect, by any means and I am ready to admit that. I spent the whole of the George Bush years saying “I DID NOT VOTE FOR THAT MAN” and keeping my mouth SHUT when abroad!
Thanks for your comment!
Karin
Hey hon. I’ve just been on the various government sites to see what’s what, and I’m still quite confused. They seem to be echoing exactly what the embassy told me (ie – if you are given citizenship automatically in another country then you won’t lose US citizenship, but if you have to APPLY for citizenship in another country, it is seen as turning your back on US citizenship), but then it goes on to say that you CAN get citizenship elsewhere… it’s very confusing.
I was married to a Brit for 8 years whilst trying to figure out the dual citizenship thing, and everyone I spoke to said it wasn’t possible. But now I’m starting to believe that I was gyped! Gah!
And now that I’m no longer married to a British Citizen (despite the fact that I’m a permanent resident), I fear I won’t have another chance.
I think you have every right to criticise & comment. It’s those who make no contribution, whether British or ‘foreign’ that shouldn’t complain. We have sort of experienced the situation the other way round. Our eldest son has lived in the US for the last 10 years and has married and had children there too. I feel uncomfortable when he criticises politicians over there, but what do I know? He lives there and pays taxes etc., so I guess he’s allowed an opinion!
PS I’m so glad that you can use your cutlery properly, half Brits can’t !!
Just chiming in from the “other side of the pond.” My sister-in-law is a German citizen with U.S. permanent residency, and had to go through much of the same protocols (but with the U.S.) as you. She is NOT planning to get U.S. citizenship because there appears to be no options for dual citizenship for her, and she’s a proud German. I will say, though, as an American resident, she has LOTS of opinions about local, state and federal politics. I’ve never heard anyone say she didn’t have a “right” an opinion because she wasn’t a citizen! She lives here and pays taxes here! It’s strange to me that anyone would think you don’t have a right to an opinion in the place where you live and pay taxes.
Feel free to whinge! It’s an integral part of British culture so should probably help you make a case for citizenship
People get very protective of the NHS but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to moan about.
What?!
I am always a little surprised when I hear stories like this. And disappointed. Of course you have a right to make comments (positive and negative) about a system you use and support. I don’t think becoming a citizen will change how people will feel about your comments as they won’t know you’re any different from today. Unless the Queen started handing out badges. That would be fun! It could have a trendy little Union Jack on it and say ‘I love HM!’ or something. Ah, you can see why I’m not a badge designer.
Anyway, I moan about things in the UK but I also celebrate a lot about it too. Do those people hear you celebrating things here as well? Perhaps remind them how much you love living here the next time they start in on you!
By the way, I’m not a dual yet either because I couldn’t afford it when it was cheap (and I was a student living with a student!) and I cant afford it now that it’s so expensive! Maybe one day. But I have always been advised the same as you, that I can have dual citizenship. However, I am not sure if that has changed in the past few years or if it depends on marriage status. One thing I do know is that when I was a single mum, divorced from my first English husband, if I had left the country for more than x amount of time (can’t remember what it was) then I would have lost my right to permanent UK residency. As I am now married to a UK citizen again, it all goes back to normal permanent residency.
These laws all change so much–when I first got married (wayyyy back in ’93) I only had to be married a year before getting my permanent residency.
Anyway, hugs. I’m indignant on your behalf. x
I read your post with interest as I’m in the same position as you – eligible for Citizenship but haven’t taken it up yet and have gone through years of waiting and hundreds of pages of forms and thousands of pounds to be in this position. It’s good for people to read your post and realise becoming a citizen of another country is not something that’s easy or that you’d do on a whim. I hate hearing people say it’s too easy for people to come to this country and stay. It’s far from easy isn’t it!
I know what you mean about the arduous journey to becoming a citizen. I keep JUST missing the cut-off. When I was finally eligible to apply, the fees went up. Right when my paperwork was done, they started requiring the test.
Still, I think it’s a good thing that you have to work a little to be part of a new country. My swearing-in ceremony was very serious. It was at the local council hall, there was a photographer to capture the moment, I got a certificate (although my name was spelled wrong – ah well), and it was PACKED.
An interesting note: you could chose whether you swore allegiance to God, Queen and country, just to Queen and country or just to country. My husband thought it all a bit ridiculous – if you want to join the club, you must agree with the rules is his thinking. I swore to all three, cuz I’m just that kind of girl.
Good grief you cannot possibly become a citizen unless you DO whinge I thought it was a national pastime!!! Welcome to the Club!!!
Hi Karin – I totally empathise with where you’re coming from; I’ve lived in France, Thailand, Canada, the States (very briefly) and New Zealand. I would say though that over my years of living abroad, one of the many things I’ve learnt is that whilst it is OK for a native to criticise their own system, it’s often less accepted for someone who sounds or is known to be foreign to do so. I’ve often found that people who have been very critical on a point have almost ganged up against me in patriotism if I’ve ventured to express the same opinion when abroad. I guess we all like to protect what we know …. not saying it’s right or good, just that I’ve learnt to be very careful about what I say – particularly around “national institutions” or customs….. and I usually find it very difficult to keep my mouth shut
Fiona
My husband just pledged to the Queen last year, and tell you what, it doesnt make a difference whether he’s a citizen or not. It’s not like the British will look at his passport and say, oh yea you are British, we won’t be racist to you then. The only time he really benefit from it, is when he’s at the airport going through the custom, where he doesn’t need to queue in the non-EU line.
To me, as long as you have a PR, you contributed, you have every right to criticise about the government. Why not? It’s your money too they are playing with, and whatever decision they make, it affects your life too.
As one of those that is probably referenced in you piece in respect to commenting on your whingeing, I would like to be clear.
As stated complaining/whingeing is British past time so on that score your already a Brit
but my annoyance was the constant comparison on how great US is, in relation to UK, this is what I found hard to swallow, not the criticism, nothing you have said is any different to what is said by thousands of Brits every day, and you have every right to say it.
I certainly do not decry you right to work, receive benefits or in fact enjoy anything the UK has to offer, I hope you are able to sort your citizenship as it seems important to you, but it isn’t necessary to do any of the above.
If any of my comments added to the feeling of not being accepted, then my apologies as wasn’t what was meant, I like anyone else has no right to pass judgement on you in the respect of your Britishness, I was only refering to the manner of the Whingeing.
Hope that makes sense
Dean,
I don’t believe I have ever made “constant comparison on how great the US is, in relation to the UK” in any of my “rants”. I have occasionally referenced to the US, as that is my only other experience, but by no means am I of the kind who thinks that everything in the US is perfect. If I were back in the US at the moment, as a self-employed expectant mother I would have to be paying for my antenatal and maternity services including what would be an astronomical labour/delivery/hospital bill as I more than likely would not be able to afford insurance nor would my pregnancy be covered. I have never said that PreNatal care in the US is better than in the UK…it’s different and carried out by Doctors and Obstetricians as opposed to midwives and is much more medicalised than here. I never experienced prenatal care in the US so I honestly could not say whether it is better and I never have in any of my posts. Where I have made comparisons is to Private Health Care in the UK and NHS care as I have knowledge of both.
I am well aware that I could definitely stand to praise more about the UK and I plan to work on that this month but please rest assured that I do not think nor have I ever written that the US is better than the UK. I would not be living, working and raising a family here if I was so partial to the country of my birth.
Karin
Well said. Although it could be argued that by whingeing you’re adapting to the UK very nicely. It’s not a criticism, it’s just a very obvious quirk. My favourite is the “typical!” people say when things go wrong.
And I can’t believe you had to pledge allegiance to the flag!! Oh my.
“God Save the Queen” was Australia’s national anthem until about 1983 (or 1984?), so it’s the first anthem I remember being sung at school. Strange to think that was our anthem for so long.
This Mid 30s Life,
The Pledge of Allegiance in the US was a daily requirement. Only recently has it been called into question in some states as one of the lines is “One Nation, Under GOD, Indivisible. With Liberty and Justice for all.” The “under God” part is what people have objected to.
I didn’t know that God Save the Queen was Australia’s National Anthem! Thanks for educating me today. What’s the one you sing now though?
Karin