On 1 November 2005 the Home Office introduced new Life in the UK citizenship tests for all applicants wishing to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. The test costs £34.00 and is compulsory for all applicants wishing to be naturalised, with some exceptions. Testing centres are located throughout the United Kingdom.

We understand that some people may be discouraged from applying for naturalisation for fear of having to sit a test some of you may not have had to sit a test since your school days!

However, please do not be intimidated. You will be given 45 minutes to answer 24 questions, which are in either multiple choice or true/false format. Approximately 75% of the questions have to be answered correctly in order to pass.

Applicants who apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and who meet the NMC's minimum requirements are required to undertake all or part of the Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP).

As from 1 January 2006 UK residents travelling to Europe and/or Switzerland will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in order to receive necessary healthcare whilst visiting an EEA country or Switzerland. This will replace the previous E111 forms. It is also recommended that travellers have adequate private health insurance.

The Government will shortly introduce a new immigration category that allows religious workers in non-pastoral roles to come to the United Kingdom to work for up to two years.

Religious workers will be prohibited from acting as a Minister of Religion, Missionary, or Member of a Religious Order preaching to a congregation, for example, is not permitted. The aim of introducing this new category is to find suitably qualified personnel who are not always available in the United Kingdom.

In order to be eligible to come to the United Kingdom to commence employment as a religious worker, an applicant:

The introduction of the Civil Partnership Act 2004, which came into force on 5 December 2005, has created some changes to the British Nationality Act 1981. Civil partners will now enjoy the same rights as married couples when applying for naturalisation as a British citizen.

Primarily, the changes enable the civil partner of a British citizen to apply for British citizenship following three years? residence in the United Kingdom, under section 6(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981. The civil partner must have indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom at the time of making the application, while satisfying various other requirements.

The Government has introduced a change in the policy in respect of the leave to remain or enter granted to recognized refugees. The changes will apply to all those recognised as refugees whose leave was granted on or after 30 August 2005. A refugee will no longer be granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom, and instead a five-year residency will be granted. Thereafter the refugee status will be subject to review. The reviewing process can also take place in a certain circumstances prior to the expiry of the five-year leave.

With effect from 1 November 2005 all applicants (aged 18 or over) for naturalisation as a British citizen must evidence knowledge of the English language and life in the United Kingdom. This requirement can be demonstrated in either one of two ways: passing the new ESOL citizenship classes OR passing the new Life in the UK test.

Mathew v. The Netherlands (Application no. 24919/03)

29 September 2005

The applicant is a kickboxing instructor who was arrested on a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm. He was detained on remand at the Aruba Correctional Institute. Aruba is a Carribean island and is a country (land) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Case Law Update: YZ and LX (China) [2005]

The above appeal was heard by the Asylum & Immigration Tribunal on 1 November 2005. The appellant were two citizens of the People?s Republic of China who were refused Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom as the dependant parents of a person present and settled in the United Kingdom under the provisions of paragraph 317 of the Immigration Rules.

Paragraph 317 states as follows:

\"317. The requirements to be met by a person seeking indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as the parent, grandparent or other dependent relative of a person present and settled in the United Kingdom are that the person:

The Public Enquiry Office of the Home Office have now confirmed that they are operating an appointment only service for the Same-Day Service consideration of applications.