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Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 11:27 am
by EEApartner
Hi all,
I might have a job opportunity to work in Sweden. I am going to submit my British application form this weekend. I would like to know if I am free to live anywhere after this?
Though technically I assume I still need to attend the ceremony and apply the passport, not sure if I need to reside in the UK for this or can I still fly back for this?
Having said this, I understand I will need a proof of being British citizen in order to work in Sweden.
FYI I have held ILR for a year before submitting the British citizenship application form.
Thanks
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 12:02 pm
by mariof
Technically you are not allowed to do this. There is a question on the form AN
2.3 Please tell us in which country you intend to have your main home if you are naturalised.
if you answer anything other than the UK, it would be very likely that your naturalisation request would be denied.
Once you obtained citizenship you'll be allowed to move abroad just like any other british citizen.
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 12:56 pm
by EEApartner
Hi
Just to clarify, I will not be moving away until I submit the application which is this weekend.
I will be completing BOTA and will tick intending to stay in the UK permanently.
However, there might be opportunities arising that I might live in Sweden for a job opportunity.
So does it mean that I'd better wait until I attend the ceremony and get the certification of British citizenship?
Can I apply the passport from Sweden or do I have to apply the passport in the UK - cos that would mean another 4 - 6 weeks' wait!
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 1:15 pm
by mariof
EEApartner wrote:Hi
Just to clarify, I will not be moving away until I submit the application which is this weekend.
I will be completing BOTA and will tick intending to stay in the UK permanently.
However, there might be opportunities arising that I might live in Sweden for a job opportunity.
So does it mean that I'd better wait until I attend the ceremony and get the certification of British citizenship?
Can I apply the passport from Sweden or do I have to apply the passport in the UK - cos that would mean another 4 - 6 weeks' wait!
IMO, you'd be better off waiting in the UK for citizenship before moving to Sweden. Once you attended the ceremony you are free to move anywhere and you could apply for your passport from Sweden.
I also don't see why you couldn't apply for the passport on the same day that you attend the citizenship ceremony.
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 2:32 pm
by akhurshid
You are free to go abroad once you have made citizenship application as long you are not leaving UK forever. Why do you think HO has allowed you to keep your original passport while your application is being decided?
Just remember, if your application is approved, you need to book ceremony in few weeks and attend that within 90 days.
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 2:47 pm
by Wanderer
Slightly OT but Swedish tax/NI is amongst the highest in the world, something like 56%. Welfare system is the best in the world but you can see where the money comes from!
Something to be wary of.
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:20 pm
by EEApartner
Thanks all, I will look into the tax but Sweden is my favourite country after London.

I didn't say I would never come back to the UK, didn't I?
Last question though, to apply the first British passport, it says somewhere on the site that I must submit also 'the passport you used to come into the UK or foreign passport you’re included on' (
https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-pa ... pplication) Is this correct? In that case, does it mean I will not be able to travel during applying passport??? This makes no sense to me though!
Please advise.
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:24 pm
by milan69
I had to submit my current passport that had ILR in it when I applied for British passport.
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:03 pm
by EEApartner
How long did they send you back the passport which has ILR?
Actually my ILR is not attached on my passport, but issued separately on a biometric card.
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:03 pm
by EEApartner
How long did they send you back the passport which has ILR?
Actually my ILR is not attached on my passport, but issued separately on a biometric card.
Re: Moving Abroad after applying British Citizenship
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:11 pm
by milan69
It took about 4 weeks to get my old passport back as well as my new British passport.