Q: I have dual nationality (Australian and Dutch) and hold a valid EEA permit for the UK for over 3 years now. Do I need to apply for Permanent Residency before applying for British Citizenship?
A: As an EEA national you will automatically be deemed to have been granted Permanent Residency once you have resided in the United Kingdom continuously for five years, provided that you have consistently exercised your treaty rights during the whole of the five year period.
In order to apply for British Citizenship you need to demonstrate that you have resided in theUnited Kingdomfor five years, that during those years you exercised your treaty rights consistently, and that you have held Permanent Residency for at least 12 months. Accordingly, if you do not have a Permanent Residency Visa in your passport you will need to demonstrate that you have resided in the United Kingdom for six years in total and that for the first of those five years you consistently exercised your treaty rights.
Please contact our offices for further advice and assistance.
JP Breytenbach
Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Limited
www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com