Britons living in Bulgaria. Guide to Bulgaria, Sofia and Varna

Davidson Morris - Appeals - Legal Glossary


A few countries do not, and people who wish to take the citizenship of those countries are expected to give up all other citizenships.EEEA (European Economic Area)Established on 1 January 1994. A8Short for “Accession 8 ”: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. All British Citizens have the right of abode. Although it has been updated several times, it is still the basis of modern British nationality law.British Nationals (Overseas) (BN (O))A form of British nationality for people who were British Dependent Territories Ciizens in Hong Kong when Hong Kong returned to China. At the same time as the status was renamed, people who were BOTCs, except those connected with the sovereign bases on Cyprus, became British Citizens. BDTCs had a link with a British territory. British Citizens have the right freely to enter, remain in and to leave the UK (also known in immigration law as the right of abode). Conditions may be attached.MManaged MigrationA part of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) dealing with all forms of business and family immigration. Entry clearancePermission to enter the UK obtained in advance of coming to the UK. Family members who are EEA nationals will get their own registration certificates; they do not need a residence card.Returning ResidentsPeople who are settled in the United Kingdom and are returning to the United Kingdom within two years of departure. For example, a person here with a work permit may get married and wish to switch to be in the UK as a spouse. For example, if a man is applying to join his British wife, he will be the applicant and she will be the sponsor.SwitchingThis term is used when people in the UK with one type of leave wish to change to a different type. If a person is not legally in a country that period does not count as ordinary residence. In each tier applicants will need to score a minimum number of points to qualify. In early stages of British nationality law, the term had a wider meaning.CCertificate of Approval (CoA)People who are not EEA nationals are required to obtain permission from the Home Secretary before marrying or contracting a civil partnership in the UK. In many immigration categories it is a requirement that a person can support themselves without relying on a wide range, and in many cases any, State welfare benefits.RRegistrationThe ways to obtain British nationality are by birth, naturalisation or registration. Issued as a paper in the UK parliament called HC395, or ‘House of Commons 395’. It gave them a right of abode in the territory, but no right to enter the UK and no right of abode in the UK.British Nationality Act 1981This law (Act of parliament) came into force in 1983. It is not essential to have such a card but if one is requested the Home Office must issue it immediately. It is not essential to have such a certificate, but if one is requested the Home Office must issue it immediately.RemovalRemoval or administrative removal is one means of removing people from the UK when they have no leave to be in the country. It may be limited or indefinite leave, sometimes with conditions.Limited leaveThis is leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for a specified period of time. Limitations on working in the UK can continue until 2011, but may be lifted before then. Most British Citizens will be regarded as settled. Nationals of countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and their families may have permanent residence.SponsorA family member, friend or other person, who supports a person’s application to come to the UK. No limitations were imposed on the rights of citizens of Cyprus and Malta, the other two 2004 accession states, to work. Other people will have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Previously called British Dependent Territories. The eight of the ten countries joining the European Union (EU) on 1 May 2004 whose nationals’ rights to work in the UK have been limited. The family permit is issued by UK consulates and embassies, and is similar to entry clearance.FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)The UK Ministry dealing with foreign affairs. The Home Office will arrange for, and meet the cost of, a person's enforced removal from the United Kingdom.Residence cardDocument issued to family members of EEA nationals who are not themselves EEA nationals, evidencing their right of residence under European law. The Immigration Rules set out who is allowed to switch, and into which categories. The status also renames what was formerly called British Dependent Territories Citizenship. The status of BOC does not confer a right of abode in the UK or anywhere in the world, although certain BOCs can apply for British Citizenship.British Overseas TerritoriesPlaces that are still connected with, and not wholly independent of, the UK. The term is particularly used in immigration law for agreements that give individuals of the non-EU country opportunities to undertake business and self-employment in countries of the EEA. The term is still relevant in nationality law, when looking a person’s former status. The UK allows dual nationality, as do most countries in the world. The Work Permit is issued to the employer and gives them permission to employ a specific worker in a specific job. The worker then takes details of the work permit when they apply for entry clearance.Work Permits UKThe section of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate that issues work permits.Worker Registration SchemeNationals of the A8 and A2 States must register to work in the UK. There are two different worker registration schemes, one for the A8 and one for the A2 (Bulgaria and Romania). They kept that status for as long as the country was a colony. They should be admitted for an indefinite period, provided that the Immigration Officers are satisfied that they are coming back to live permanently in the UK.Right of AbodeThe right to enter and stay in the UK, free from immigration controls. This is usually the county in which the person was born and grew up, the “domicile or origin” This can be changed only by a conscious decision to settle and stay in another country and thus acquire a 'domicile of choice'. Unlike deportation, removal does not prevent a person applying to return to the UK, but immigration history, including previous removal, will be taken into account when deciding whether to allow a person to return.