If you are british are you classed as a Commenwealth Citizen?
Filling out an application form and it says if you are a Commenwealth Citizen is your stay in the UK free from restrictions?
Commenwealth Citizen
Started by
specialconstable1
, Mar 25 2012 09:20 PM
12 replies to this topic
#3
Posted 25 March 2012 - 09:28 PM
If you are british are you classed as a Commenwealth Citizen?
Filling out an application form and it says if you are a Commenwealth Citizen is your stay in the UK free from restrictions?
Membership of the commonwealth is fluid and has varied over the years but the United Kingdom is a member of the commonwealth.
The question on the application form relates to commonwealth citizens from outside of the UK.
Not all commonwealth citizens have a right to live here and that is why they ask the question.
#4
hathaway
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Posted 25 March 2012 - 11:23 PM
I've always answered no to that question, the reason being that it's meant for people who aren't British subjects themselves. Answering a 'yes' is purely facetious.
#5
Posted 25 March 2012 - 11:50 PM
As an Immigration Officer I can tell you categorically the answer is no.
#6
Posted 26 March 2012 - 12:01 AM
As an Immigration Officer I can tell you categorically the answer is no.
I understand your view from an Immigration perspective but are you saying that the United Kingdom IS NOT a member of the commonwealth?
I'm pretty certain it is.
#7
Posted 26 March 2012 - 12:25 AM
In British Nationality law a Commonwealth citizen is a person who is either a British Citizen, British overseas territories citizen, a British subject, a British national, or a national of a country listed in Schedule 3 of the British Nationality act 1981.
So, technically the answer is yes, you are a Commonwealth citizen, but that's probably not what the question on the form means. The question on the form probably means are you a non British Citizen, who is a citizen from a commonwealth country?
So, technically the answer is yes, you are a Commonwealth citizen, but that's probably not what the question on the form means. The question on the form probably means are you a non British Citizen, who is a citizen from a commonwealth country?
#8
Asimov
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Posted 26 March 2012 - 12:45 AM
Yes, exactly. While UK citizens are (of course) Commonwealth citizens, the question is really directed at non-UK citizens.
For immigration purposes, in order to be a Special, you need to be either (a) a UK citizen; (b) a citizen of an EU country (other than the UK) or © if you are a citizen of some other country you need to have permanent (unrestricted) residence in the UK (usually called ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain).
The question is trying to find out whether you fall into one of the three categories above and therefore qualify to be a Special. If you're a British citizen I wouldn't worry too much about your question - they'll just check your passport when you go in on Day 1 or Day 2 and you'll be fine (having said that - I thought you could be a citizen of *any* country to be a Special, as long as you had UK permanent residence - but the above question seems to imply that you can only be a citizen of a *Commonwealth* country with UK permanent residence to be a Special..that's a bit puzzling).
For immigration purposes, in order to be a Special, you need to be either (a) a UK citizen; (b) a citizen of an EU country (other than the UK) or © if you are a citizen of some other country you need to have permanent (unrestricted) residence in the UK (usually called ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain).
The question is trying to find out whether you fall into one of the three categories above and therefore qualify to be a Special. If you're a British citizen I wouldn't worry too much about your question - they'll just check your passport when you go in on Day 1 or Day 2 and you'll be fine (having said that - I thought you could be a citizen of *any* country to be a Special, as long as you had UK permanent residence - but the above question seems to imply that you can only be a citizen of a *Commonwealth* country with UK permanent residence to be a Special..that's a bit puzzling).
#9
Posted 28 March 2012 - 11:38 AM
SC1 I think you should have put the question into context ( we all know you're filling in your regs app) 
FYI: I've put No
FYI: I've put No
#10
UK_Bod
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Posted 28 March 2012 - 12:10 PM
Why would you answer no? I put, and I would again, n/a as I'm British. The question isn't applicable to UK citizens.Or answer 'yes', answering 'no' implies that your are staying here not free from restrictions.
#11
Posted 28 March 2012 - 12:17 PM
When I filled out my application, I put British as nationality, then didn't tick the Commonwealth, or the other option box.
I presumed if you are British then there is no need to clarify those later questions.
I presumed if you are British then there is no need to clarify those later questions.
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