This is what I just filled in. It was pretty straightforward. You need your NI number, your passport number, place/authority it was issued and issue date. Oh and last address in the UK.

S

I got part way through but couldn't do the passport bit as I just sent it off for renewal last week.

Since I completed the application I can no longer go back and access the old passport details.

I'll have to wait for it to come back.

Thanks.

As this doesn't appear to be happening until end of 2017 and I am not guaranteed to get my PR application approved, would it be best for me to wait until I know for sure?

I am only really interested in voting regarding the EU issue

Indications are that it might happen this year

David Cameron: I will stay as PM if I lose EU referendum | Politics | The Guardian

The referendum has to happen by summer 2017 - Cameron indicated yesterday that he wants it to happen this summer depending on the outcome of next month's negotiations with the EU.

I was given to understand that the 15 year rule was brought in because of the number of people outside the UK for longer who really wouldn't have a lot of knowledge of what the UK needed from it's political parties, and just what they were proposing.

In fact the rule HAS been abolished, BUT the change will not come into effect before the EU referendum, the bill was brought in by the House of Lords (see they do do some good) when it appeared that the House of Commons wouldn't get round to it.

Expat vote ban lifted, but not in time for EU referendum - Telegraph

That article is misleading. The Votes for Life Bill is still only a proposal. It hasn't been debated in Parliament let alone received Royal Assent yet. It could still easily be forgotten about or defeated in a vote.

When do they get around to Sun readers?

I think I'll just keep an eye on this. My 15 year limit will be December this year, and as I've no intention of voting in regular elections, I don't think it's worth registering if the referendum will be next year.

Only allowed two what?

I think this is about passports. Who does the allowing ??

S

Yes, passports. My previous understanding was you were allowed to be a dual national but not, officially, any more. I don't know where I got that from. Under 18s are allowed as many nationalities as they can acrue, but have to cut to two at 18. (so the little wheels who currently have three would cut to two at 18).

But then I was thinking- who does the allowing? Some few countries do not permit dual nationality, but those that do can't have much say in other countries giving citizenship, especially when they're so many countries operating far more informally.

Wondering if anyone else might have any idea where I got my two-only idea from?

Don't know where you got the idea from ?? Not criticizing, just don't know. But both Canada and the UK permit dual citizenship so you don't have to make a choice and can hold a passport from each. It's up to the individual countries concerned as far as I know. I don't think there can be a "world law". So if Canada permitted it and (say) the UK didn't then you would have to make a choice. You can only renounce (e.g. Canadian) citizenship if you are living outside of Canada and you have another citizenship or will get another citizenship when you are no longer Canadian. I'm sure other countries have similar rules so you cannot be stateless through choice.

Countries that don't permit dual: many e.g. India, China, The Netherlands. Germany used to be but I think may have changed in some circumstances. I think you have to get permission (but I'm unsure).

S

Restrictions on dual nationality tend to be the exception rather than the rule. All the 'Five Eyes' countries permit unrestricted dual nationality. Some EU countries - the Netherlands, Germany, Austria - restrict it to different degrees. It's rare for it be banned outright.

As I'm from Northern Ireland I don't think I can apply online. Pretty sure I can still register but I'm a bit on the fence as to whether it's ethical for me to vote when I'm not living in the UK and have no plans to in the future.

If I do decide to register I'd vote to leave the EU.