Duncan_BC

My nephew was born in Canada. His mother was born in Greece and his
grandmother was born in England. He will be studying in Switzerland this
fall. I advised him to get a Greek passport and he has begun the process.
Would there be any particular advantage to him obtaining a UK ancestry
visa? He is planning on living and working in England after he graduates.
His UK ancestry could lead to British citizenship but would it be moot if
he has a Greek passport?
Thanks!

JAJ

A few points:

1. An ancestry visa may be moot if he has a Greek passport.

2. If the plan is to get British citizenship however, if he has a Greek passport he should get an EEA residence permit, and after 4 years employment in the UK he can apply for indefinite leave to remain, and British citizenship a year later.

Since October 2000, citizens of EEA countries are not automatically considered permanent residents of the UK. There are some rights in the UK which EEA citizens can't obtain - and immigration control could always be reimposed. So it's usually advisable for EEA citizens in the UK to look at British citizenship as a medium term option if the plan is to make the UK home.

3. There is talk that the four year period (for indefinite leave) might be raised to five years. In that circumstance there might be an advantage of having an ancestry visa if the period for these visa holders to get ILR stayed at 4 years.

4. He should check the situation regarding military service in Greece.

5. Switzerland has a labour agreement with the EEA so a Greek passport may help him there. The agreement is still in a transition period so it's going to depend on the details.

Jeremy

Duncan_BC

He has checked out the military service issue. If he remains a
non-resident of Greece, he is not subject to the 6-18 month service
requirement. He may even visit Greece for less than 6 months and
be OK.

CPW

Another thing to think about (minor and of academic interest only, possibly, depending on who you are and what your interests are) is that as a Canadian citizen with an ancestry visa he would definitely be entitled to vote in all elections in the UK (including elections for the Westminster parliament).

Greek citizens living in the UK are not entitled to vote in Westminster elections. The exact entitlements of a Canadian citizen who is living in the UK on the basis of being a Greek citizen isn't really spelt out anywhere, as far as I know.

JAJ

I see no reason why he would be unable to vote (as a Commonwealth citizen) while living in the UK on the basis of having a Greek passport. But it's a good point.

Either way, if he's living in the UK long term he should be aiming for British citizenship (barring a good reason not to) so these issues will become moot after a few years.


Jeremy