I recently applied for a 6-month visitor visa for my son, Christopher. We want to travel to the UK to apply for his British Citizenship.
BACKGROUND:
Christopher was born in Hong Kong, but due to his parentage, he is not a Hong Kong citizen. His adoption was finalised in November. I am a British citizen by birth, and in theory, Christopher should be registered without any problem...BUT I can't be without my Passport for 6-18 months while they make the decision. if I apply from Hong Kong, I need to send my original passport to Liverpool, but if I go to a citizenship checking office in the UK, they can take copies, and I keep my passport.
Christopher is one years old now, and holds a Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (this is a travel document, but not a passport, as he is legally stateles)
OK, so the process seemed simple - apply for a 6 month visitor visa, go to the UK and make the application.
I received an email from the visa processing centre in Manila:
Now, I'm happy to do this, as then he won't need a visa, and we'll be able to get to the UK a few times to visit while citizenship is processing, but does this mean that his ROA is guaranteed? and what reason should I state on my ROA Certificate application:Dear Mr & Mrs RUSSELL,
You have applied for a visit application for the above applicant, however we note that the applicant qualifies for right to abode in the UK. As such we are offering the applicant the opportunity to apply for a Certificate of entitlement to right of abode in the United Kingdom. If you wish to apply for this visa, you should now complete a new visa application online in the correct category and pay the correct fee and reply to us with confirmation of your new GWF reference number. With this you should confirm your desire to withdraw your original application and request a refund for the incorrect fee previously paid.
We are, therefore, giving you a limited opportunity to provide your response within five (5) working days from the date of this notification through any of the following methods:
I'm guessing it is the one I've bolded, as my son was not adopted in the UK, nor by Hague convention, but according to local Hong Kong laws.Born in the UK before 01 Jan 1983*
Born in the UK after 01 Jan 1983*
Adopted in the UK*
Registered or naturalised as a British Subject, citizen of the UK and Colonies in the UK on or after 01 Jan 1983*
Father or mother born, registered, naturalised or adopted in the UK before your birth, which occurred outside the UK on or after 01 Jan 1983*
A citizen or the UK and colonies at birth and with a grandparent born, registered, naturalised or adopted in the UK*
A citizen of the UK and Colonies who was ordinarily resident in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years before 01 Jan 1983 and was settled in the UK at the end of that period*
A Commonwealth citizen whose mother was born in the UK*
A female Commonwealth citizen who is, or has been, married to a man with right of abode at any time before 31 Dec 1982 *
A citizen of the UK and Colonies woman who is, or has been married to a man with right of abode at any time before 31 Dec 1982
They've given me 5 working days to decide. Any suggestions/insight would be valued!
I tried to phone the Manila processing centre, no possibility to speak to anyone, and the HK Hong Commission is no helpful for visa or citizenship enquiries.
Thanks
David