Does an Army Pension qualify as "Crown Service"

[simmo78]

My GF is from New Zealand and is trying to apply for her UK Passport through the ancestry line. Her Grandparents were born in the UK and her Grandfather served in the army. He was discharged in 1946 and emigrated to NZ where he received an army pension from the UK till he died in 2011. His daughter (my GF's mother was born in NZ but had a UK passport in her adult life).

What we are trying to figure out is if having an army pension qualifies you as being in the "Crown Service". Technically he was being paid by the UK govt purse but its difficult to get confirmation on this.

Thoughts experts?

[Amber]

I think that would be a hard one to try and pull. I think in crown service means in service not retired. She could consider an ancestry visa.

Indeed see:

In general, an applicant is in
Crown service if:
• in an established permanent position, which can include a fixed-term
appointment; and
• paid for his/her service directly from funds voted by Parliament; and
• rendering service direct to the Crown

[Just Wondering]

To apply for a British passport, your girlfriend must be a British citizen. It doesn't sound like she's a British citizen. Her mother was born in New Zealand to British parents and may be British by Descent. A person who is British by Descent cannot pass on citizenship to children born outside of the United Kingdom.

As Amber pointed out, on the facts provided, it's possible she'd qualify for a Ancestry visa which would allow her to live and work in the UK for 5 years. If she meets the eligibility criteria after living/working here for those five years then she could apply for ILR and then onward for citizenship (if she meets the criteria at the time).