Entering the UK- or going to happen now

Tuliptree

That’s laudable Mamie but doesn’t really address the core issue does it? One thing I have wondered is that under the double taxation rules on your UK income are you better or worse off by paying Uk income tax rather than French income tax? Just out of interest.

Slightly worse off because the French rate would not be as high as the UK.
As I asked upthread, with frequent lengthy visits, in constant touch with immediate family and friends all over the UK, teaching online, what is it I can't know? Nobody has answered that for me that yet?

They are making it very, very hard for the girls to get their British passports . They want original copies of their birth certs. The girls are not comfortable with sending the original ones to them. A matter of trust , they could steal them or copy them. My daughter is going to ring the consul again. When they deign to answer the phone and don’t hang up on them as they have been doing the last few days. They want them to get their passports but they are making it very hard for them. No, I am not angry, just resigned DissyAnneReturns

nanna8

They are making it very, very hard for the girls to get their British passports . They want original copies of their birth certs. The girls are not comfortable with sending the original ones to them. A matter of trust , they could steal them or copy them. My daughter is going to ring the consul again. When they deign to answer the phone and don’t hang up on them as they have been doing the last few days. They want them to get their passports but they are making it very hard for them. No, I am not angry, just resigned DissyAnneReturns

😂😂😂😂 Original birth certificates to get a passport?? Whatever next. How very dare they? You are winding us up. Don’t you have registered post in Australia?

au.interparcel.com/blog/shipping-advice/australia-post-letters

Here you nanna , thought I’d be helpful.

Thanks for information re income tax Mamie . I think the problem for me is that such an important principle can’t be argued from a ‘best case ‘ scenario of which you seem to be an example. I’ve been reading up about what other countries do - from what I understand the French seem to have an interesting solution for their citizens living abroad - they have a vote but for specially designated MPs for overseas residents for the area in which they are living abroad. I’ve also been thinking that if we had PR it might feel fairer as but I still feel it’s fundamentally wrong and especially when it’s life long

Nanna8 do they mean official copies as you would get them from the General Registrars Office in England? I don't know what the equivalent would be in Australia. For UK birth certificates it is about £38 pounds, again I don't know about Australia.

Tuliptree

Thanks for information re income tax Mamie . I think the problem for me is that such an important principle can’t be argued from a ‘best case ‘ scenario of which you seem to be an example. I’ve been reading up about what other countries do - from what I understand the French seem to have an interesting solution for their citizens living abroad - they have a vote but for specially designated MPs for overseas residents for the area in which they are living abroad. I’ve also been thinking that if we had PR it might feel fairer as but I still feel it’s fundamentally wrong and especially when it’s life long

Yes there are eleven constituencies for French abroad, represented by deputés in the National Assembly.
I have discussed it with my students and they are horrified at the thought that French people living abroad would not have a vote.
Similarly, they think school uniform is an infringement of human rights and the British are mad not to have identity cards. 😂

Nanna8 authorities in the UK need to know if the young people are definitely entitled to automatic British citizenship. It's not personal but it is bureaucratic - for you and for everyone else but then, you are dealing with a legal action.

To establish this chain, they will need to know:
*Where the girls were born
*Where the British parent was born
*Whether the British parent was born in the UK or gained citizenship another way

If I have interpreted your posts correctly it looks to me as if there is more paperwork because this is because it’s a first British passport application from overseas.

You are quick to slur those working on behalf of the government but if you calmly think about it, the problems are far more like to come from those applying than those whose job it is to ensure everything is above board. That is why the standard of evidence is high.

I think you would find it easier if you stopped over-thinking and just got the job done. If you have left it very late I am sure there are professionals who could help.

‘Bureaucratic’ always seems to have negative connotations . The process for getting a first passport is rigorous and thorough which we would all accept and except surely it would be . The passport office improved beyond all recognition several years ago. Renewing a passport now only takes a few days including returning the old one. I appreciate that being in Australia and it being a first passport will take longer but that’s all part of planning isn’t for the wonderful opportunities this trip will give the dgc.

Tuliptree

nanna8

They are making it very, very hard for the girls to get their British passports . They want original copies of their birth certs. The girls are not comfortable with sending the original ones to them. A matter of trust , they could steal them or copy them. My daughter is going to ring the consul again. When they deign to answer the phone and don’t hang up on them as they have been doing the last few days. They want them to get their passports but they are making it very hard for them. No, I am not angry, just resigned DissyAnneReturns

😂😂😂😂 Original birth certificates to get a passport?? Whatever next. How very dare they? You are winding us up. Don’t you have registered post in Australia?

Yes, and they managed to make a wreck of the marriage certificate of one of my family members when she had to send it away to renew her British passport.

Don’t you have registered post in Australia?

Postal services between the UK and Australia can be very dodgy at the best of times however much you pay.

Allira

^Don’t you have registered post in Australia?^

Postal services between the UK and Australia can be very dodgy at the best of times however much you pay.

There must be registered/ recorded courier services. Is the press full of stories of lost passport applications between Australia and UK? And yes I have quite a lot of friends there who have dual citizenship and have needed passports etc . Furthermore, if it’s true that it’s a poor system, all the more reason to plan well in advance

Nanna8 authorities in the UK need to know if the young people are definitely entitled to automatic British citizenship. It's not personal but it is bureaucratic - for you and for everyone else but then, you are dealing with a legal action.

There are so many illegal immigrants in this country and people who have overstayed their visas that the Government had to do something and extra "bureauceacy" is probably the price we all have to pay for that, both in money and annoyance, not least at the speed of it all. Or lack of speed at certain times of the years and the uncertainty of the mail service.

You may see it negatively "Tuliptree" but it is what it is and we need it.

I would see it as - a highly structured, efficient, and reliable system characterised by clear hierarchy, accountability, and standardised processes. It ensures fairness through consistent, rule-based decision-making, eliminating bias while promoting expertise through specialised roles. It is essential for managing large, complex organisations with stability.

And the issuing of passports needs a large, complex organisation with stability to carry out the checks and balances!

Tuliptree

Allira

Don’t you have registered post in Australia?

Postal services between the UK and Australia can be very dodgy at the best of times however much you pay.

There must be registered/ recorded courier services. Is the press full of stories of lost passport applications between Australia and UK? And yes I have quite a lot of friends there who have dual citizenship and have needed passports etc . Furthermore, if it’s true that it’s a poor system, all the more reason to plan well in advance

I needed to send back an important but small item which a member of my family had left behind a couple of years ago. As far as I remember it cost me £45 global express tracked.

I think the problem is the automatic British citizenship which might be welcomed by some but not by others.

Allira

I think the problem is the automatic British citizenship which might be welcomed by some but not by others.

Well tough really -I can imagine an outcry if any government had tried to take it away. Or are you going to tell me there’s a mass movement in Australia to do that? The problem with the position you and nanna seem to be taking is that you keep coming up with different thingx to grouch about eg postal service. When that’s challenged you circle back to another issue eg automatic citizenship. Neither of you see any positives and it’s really really tedious.

Mamie, surely taxes are only a part of the equation when considering voting in a country in which you are not resident?
I commented up thread about my daughter's decision to refrain from voting here, and vote only in her adopted country.
Someone who does not live here might, conceivably, choose a party that planned to privatise the NHS, for example, or close special schools, or remove rights to legal abortions.
None of these would impact the person living in Australia, France, or Sweden, but would have, potentially, a significant impact on the lives of those living in Britain.

Tuliptree

Allira

I think the problem is the automatic British citizenship which might be welcomed by some but not by others.

Well tough really -I can imagine an outcry if any government had tried to take it away. Or are you going to tell me there’s a mass movement in Australia to do that? The problem with the position you and nanna seem to be taking is that you keep coming up with different thingx to grouch about eg postal service. When that’s challenged you circle back to another issue eg automatic citizenship. Neither of you see any positives and it’s really really tedious.

It never used to be automatic.
It was introduced in 2006.

Tuliptree

Allira

I think the problem is the automatic British citizenship which might be welcomed by some but not by others.

Well tough really -I can imagine an outcry if any government had tried to take it away. Or are you going to tell me there’s a mass movement in Australia to do that? The problem with the position you and nanna seem to be taking is that you keep coming up with different thingx to grouch about eg postal service. When that’s challenged you circle back to another issue eg automatic citizenship. Neither of you see any positives and it’s really really tedious.

Just pointing out the anomalies and pitfalls, which several of us or our our families may encounter.
Perhaps your Australian family have never found any problems in the system when they travel.

If you find it so tedious perhaps best to avoid our posts.

Thank you.

I think it is a good idea to discuss the changes and any possible problems because not everyone, here or overseas, might be aware or might not have time to organise the proper documentation before they travel.

Allira

I think it is a good idea to discuss the changes and any possible problems because not everyone, here or overseas, might be aware or might not have time to organise the proper documentation before they travel.

I agree and had nanna not rubbished the UK , criticised KS unfairly and just been so generally OTT getting peoples backs up, this could gave been an interesting and useful thread.

Chocolatelovinggran

Mamie, surely taxes are only a part of the equation when considering voting in a country in which you are not resident?
I commented up thread about my daughter's decision to refrain from voting here, and vote only in her adopted country.
Someone who does not live here might, conceivably, choose a party that planned to privatise the NHS, for example, or close special schools, or remove rights to legal abortions.
None of these would impact the person living in Australia, France, or Sweden, but would have, potentially, a significant impact on the lives of those living in Britain.

Well they might do, but after years supporting children with severe disabilities and life-limiting illnesses, in mainstream and special schools, to enable them to communicate through information technology, I find that pretty insulting.
Actually I vote for the things to make life as good as I can for the future generations, my grandchildren and other people's children and grandchildren.
I see far more selfish reasons for voting on here.

Why shouldn't those residing abroad deserve to have the vote back home? The democratic rights conferred by citizenship should not depend on location. As Mamie explained, links back to the UK go way beyond just physical space.
For example, when I lived abroad for many years I was always relieved that the UK state remained the ultimate source of protection for UK citizens wherever I was, so voting in the UK on issues like defence was important. Likewise social issues should I one day decide to return to the UK.

MartavTaurus

Why shouldn't those residing abroad deserve to have the vote back home? The democratic rights conferred by citizenship should not depend on location. As Mamie explained, links back to the UK go way beyond just physical space.
For example, when I lived abroad for many years I was always relieved that the UK state remained the ultimate source of protection for UK citizens wherever I was, so voting in the UK on issues like defence was important. Likewise social issues should I one day decide to return to the UK.

There are lots of rights conferred by citizenship but also responsibilities. You have to give as well as take as a citizen and living abroad for decades but having the right to influence the make up of the government that I have to live under isn’t a right that can be justified.