davdah

Perhaps this is a no brainer. Long story short. A relative who I suspect may have been an illegal in the U.S. for about 50 to 60 years is going back to England. Will this person have any difficulties coming home? Or is there some rule that says once your gone for X number years you've lost the right?

ozhappy981

No, there is no such rule. If your relative still has a current UK passport, they can just travel to the UK. If they don't have a current passport, they need to apply for one and have the correct supporting documentation.

One thing they may need may be a copy of their birth certificate, which can be ordered over the internet here: www.gro.gov.uk

davdah

Thanks for the reply.

Second question to anyone who might know. This is very broad based and general. Hypothetically. If someone from the states who was older, say in their 70s, wanted to move to England who wasn't a citizen. Would it be difficult assuming they didn't have a lot of money aside their U.S. retirement? No living relatives either. No case to be made for asylum or anything like that.

Was told recently of an uncle who did just that. Prior to this was always under the impression the uncles and rest of the family, mother included, were U.S. citizens. However, was told the uncle was 'going home' to England. With going home having the assumed connotation of being where one grew up.

Am trying to figure something out here, as is obvious by now, LOL. Where were you born being the root of it all. Can't ask directly, for other reasons.

FlyergirlUK

Your answer can be found here though what it basically says is this:

On 27 November 2008 the immigration rules were amended removing the provision for applications to enter the retired persons of independent means route. Whilst it is no longer possible to enter through this route, it remains possible if you are already in the United Kingdom with leave as a retired person of independent means, to extend your leave up to the maximum period of five years under this category, or apply for permanent residence (also known as indefinite leave to remain).

Englishmum

I'm guessing that any resident of the USA aged in their 70s and has lived in the US (illegally) for 50 or 60 years is planning to return to the UK because of free healthcare on the NHS?

Surely that person would incur major culture shock - obviously illegals don't have the freedom to travel outside the US so the UK would be a totally 'alien nation' so to speak?