belgian resident relocating to UK

[coco_000]

Hi everybody!

can someone give me an advice on this one? My nationality is russian and I've been living in Belgium for the past 5 years. My belgian ID is called 'yellow card' which gives me an indefinite (unlimited) right to stay in Belgium. With this document I am not allowed to leave Belgium for more than 1 year, otherwise I will loose all the resident rights. Now, after finishing my studies this year, I would like to relocate to the UK. Could you tell me what's the best way to do it?

Thanx

[Wanderer]

Think u'll need either Belgian citizenship to relocate under EU rules or a UK visa under ur own merits such as Work Permit/HSMP etc

Udachi tebe!

[RobinLondon]

I believe that you only need to have lived in Belgium for three years to apply for citizenship. They permit new citizens to maintain their previous nationality if they so choose, and there is no fee for naturalisation.

With all that in mind, what's stopping you from taking out Belgian citizenship when immigrating to the UK as a non-EU/EEA is so ridiculously complicated/expensive?

More info here:

http://www.diplomatie.be/fr/services/na ... TEXTID=734

(see the right hand side: "Comment devenir belge?")

[JAJ]

Hi everybody!

can someone give me an advice on this one? My nationality is russian and I've been living in Belgium for the past 5 years. My belgian ID is called 'yellow card' which gives me an indefinite (unlimited) right to stay in Belgium. With this document I am not allowed to leave Belgium for more than 1 year, otherwise I will loose all the resident rights. Now, after finishing my studies this year, I would like to relocate to the UK. Could you tell me what's the best way to do it?

Thanx

Not only will you lose your resident rights if you leave Belgium, but your Belgian residence gives you no rights in the U.K.

Can you become a Belgian citizen?

[coco_000]

Hi guys! thanks for your replies

yes, RobinLondon, indeed you're right - i can become a belgian citizen and i've already applied for naturalisation. but unfortunatelly i have no control of the bureaucratic system over here. I applied about 10 months ago, my request has been processing - that's what i've been told. Some people told me it took 3 years for them to get a final reply ( however, under normal circumstances, it cannot take longer than 18 months ).

So, probably the only way to do it would be indeed with work permit...

Cheers everybody!

[JAJ]

Hi guys! thanks for your replies

yes, RobinLondon, indeed you're right - i can become a belgian citizen and i've already applied for naturalisation. but unfortunatelly i have no control of the bureaucratic system over here. I applied about 10 months ago, my request has been processing - that's what i've been told. Some people told me it took 3 years for them to get a final reply ( however, under normal circumstances, it cannot take longer than 18 months ).

So, probably the only way to do it would be indeed with work permit...

Why not just wait until you get your Belgian citizenship?

If you abandon your status now, are you happy to go back to Russia if things don't work out in the U.K.? (because that is the only place you will be able to go).

And even if things do work out in Britain, it will be a long time before you get British citizenship.