mellowred

Having sat waffling about with the idea of moving to the UK for almost a decade, at the age of 53 it is now or never.

I was born in Luton in 1962 and my family emigrated to South Africa in 1963. I currently hold South African and UK citizenship.

My British passport is long expired, so have to apply for a new one. Will this create any problems as far as my British citizenship is concerned? I always thought that I just need to renew my passport, hop on a plane and start looking for job. With all the changes to the laws, is this still the case?

When/if I arrive in UK, would there be any additional work permits that I would need to apply for, or would I automatically be eligible to apply for jobs? Would there be any additional restrictions regarding Wales, Scotland or Ireland?

I understand that I would not be eligible for any benefits for a period of time, which is not a problem at all, but what if I break a leg or something?

Thanks for reading, and looking forward to all comments.

Regards
Mandy

mikelincs

Quite correct, you are a British citizen and have the right to live and work in the UK. Once you are move to the UK permanently, then you will be entitled to use the NHS from day 1 as it is a residence based benefit.
No need to apply for any work permits for any part of the UK, aa UK resident has the right to work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and you would also be entitled to live and work in any part of the EU subject to fulfilling their residence requirements.

mellowred

Thank you for the response Mikelincs, that is very reassuring.

Now to get busy with the 100s of other questions.

BritInParis

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

mellowred

Thanks BritInParis, all done now.

feelbritish

Not sure if this applies to you but make sure when you do leave you retain SA citizenship.

mellowred

I hadn't thought of that FeelBritish. Something to bear in mind if I purchase a one way ticket. SA may assume that I am doing a runner and prevent me from returning.

I just remembered that when we visited England mum and I were blocked on re-entering SA as we did not have permanent residence stamps in our passports. We found that pretty amusing as we had been in SA for about 17 years

BritInParis

This problem arises when a South African citizen by birth acquires another citizenship voluntarily and does not seek permission from the South African authorities. This would then lead to a loss of South African citizenship.

Since mellowred is British by birth and a naturalised South African citizen this shouldn't an issue.

mellowred

Thanks for clearing that up BritInParis.

colchar

Expired passports have no bearing on citizenship for those born in the UK.


You are a British citizen, there are no restrictions on you entering the country.


Citizens do not need work permits. You would need a National Insurance number.


Since they are part of the United Kingdom (assuming you meant Northern Ireland) why would there be?

scot47

There are restrictions on working in the Channel islands and the Isle of Man.

mellowred

Thank you Colchar. Is the NI number something I can only apply for when I am in the UK?

Hi again Scot47 and thanks for the reply.

BritInParis

https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number

scot47

Security has been tightened up on issuing National Insurance Numbers. They want to see you in person with proof of identity and address etc.

You may have had a NINO when in Britain before emigrating.

mellowred

Hi Scot47. Took a look at BritInParis' link; so have put that on list of things to do when I arrive.

I was a baby when we emigrated, so in the eyes of the taxman I was just a NADA .