Citizen or National?

[dhyperion]

Hi All

this is possibly not the right forum but I'm a bit at a loss here as I can't seem to be able to get a straight answer to this question. I'm filling out a form and it's asking me about my nationality, ie whether I'm a British National or Citizen - with a very vague explanation as to the difference between the two.

I can't seem to find any information that explains that difference and what I am. I applied for BC via naturalisation last year (which was successful) via the EEA route. I now have "a certificate of naturalisation as a British Citizen" which says

Now, am I British National or a British Citizen?? Very confused!!

Thanks

[CR001]

Citizen NOT national!!

British National (Overseas), commonly known as BN(O), is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens.

[dhyperion]

Thanks CR001.

This is how they "describe" the difference between:

"Nationality is the status of belonging to a particular nation, whether by birth or naturalisation. Citizenship is a particular type of nationality. If you have citizenship in a country, you have the right to live there, work, vote, and pay taxes."

It's the statement around naturalisation which threw me!!?? I'm supposedly naturalised??

[CR001]

Without knowing what form you are completing and purpose, difficult for anyone to advice.

But you are a British Citizen, not a British national.

[secret.simon]

Also see similar thread.

What form are you filling in? And crucially which country's form are you filling in?

Nationality can mean different things in different countries. In Russia and former Soviet countries, for instance,nationality roughly translates as ethnicity.

In UK law, there are many forms of British Nationality, one of which is British citizenship. Other forms include British Overseas Territories Citizenship, British Overseas Citizenship, British National Overseas, British Subject without Citizenship, etc. Persons holding the latter forms of nationalities are all British nationals and can apply for and receive a British passport and get British consular assistance overseas, but do not have the right to reside in the UK automatically.

To sum up, if you are a naturalised British citizen, you are a British citizen and therefore also a British national.

[dhyperion]

This is a UKSV form. The wording was a bit confusing and they were unable to provide any guidance themselves... But I think I've ticked the right box!

[CR001]

This is a UKSV form. The wording was a bit confusing and they were unable to provide any guidance themselves... But I think I've ticked the right box!

Just looked at form and Citizen would be the correct one yes.

[dhyperion]

Thanks CR001!