When do British citizens become permanent residents?

[harmonybunny114]

Hi,
I have a British Passport and have never had anything else; however, I have only ever lived in Austria and was granted the passport due to my mother being British. I am now in my second year of a degree here in England. In some cases I am still treated like a EU national though (for example with regards to University statues and student loans), and banks won't give me home student accounts because I'm not a permanent resident.

My question is, when do I become a permanent resident? Is it 3 years, or does my citizenship make it less? And is that 3 years after I finish my studies or 3 years from the moment I arrived here? Do I need to apply or will I automatically become a permanent resident? And, lastly, does it even matter much other than for fancy bank accounts?

Cheers,
Kathy

[JAJ]

Hi,
I have a British Passport and have never had anything else; however, I have only ever lived in Austria and was granted the passport due to my mother being British. I am now in my second year of a degree here in England. In some cases I am still treated like a EU national though (for example with regards to University statues and student loans), and banks won't give me home student accounts because I'm not a permanent resident.

My question is, when do I become a permanent resident? Is it 3 years, or does my citizenship make it less? And is that 3 years after I finish my studies or 3 years from the moment I arrived here? Do I need to apply or will I automatically become a permanent resident? And, lastly, does it even matter much other than for fancy bank accounts?

Cheers,
Kathy

The phrase "permanent resident" normally only refers to a foreigner who has been granted permission to live in the UK. It's not an issue if you are a British citizen.

You are a British citizen living in the UK, why on earth are the banks making an issue out of you not being a "resident"? Is it something you are telling them?

Off topic, but you need to be aware you are British "by descent" as you were born outside the UK. While it doesn't affect your British citizenship, it may affect the status of any children you have born outside the UK and its Territories. Home Office Leaflet BN4 is a reference:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en ... nship.html?

[harmonybunny114]

When I first arrived here I went to my bank and told them that I had a British passport but that I had never lived here, and asked them whether that meant they would treat me as a home student or foreign? They said foreign, so I assumed that I wasn't legally a permanent resident.

And when I'm asked to fill out forms, I always put my austrian address as my permanent address, because the only one I have here is my term-time one.

Is there any documentation or HO/IND webpage that confirms this? I've tried looking there and I've tried contacting them, both with no luck.

Cheers,
Kathy

[John]

Kathy, I think I have to say, you are causing this problem. Your address is where you live! If you have not lived there for three years then they might ask for the former address, in Austria, but that should not cause a problem.

[PASS]

The Qn should be

Tution fee at

Home rate or
EU/ Overseas rate

If a British Citizen lived outside the country (ex Australia) for long time (>6 months) and returns back to the UK. If he/she wants to study at universities, he has to pay overseas student rate. He/she is eligible for home rate upon completing 3 years continues stay here.

In this case, it is EU rate

Visit any university website, you will find out.