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Leaving to Remain Indefinitely

Today I took the Life in the UK test to secure all my paperwork for my 'Indefinite Leave to Remain'. This visa will mean after 5.5 years of living in England I will be allowed to stay for ever....and allegable for my UK Passport in a year, or a year after I return from travelling to show my commitment to the country again. Its been something I have always wanted and this is really very exciting.


I really enjoyed the experience of learning about the country I love to call my second home. Like that it was a republic for 11 years in the mid 1600's under Lord Cromwell. That Children under 16 can't work in a chippy, kitchen or use heavy machinery or chemicals (no kids obviously help on farms!). And women <30 only got the right to vote in 1928 with the right to vote to those 30+ only passed in 1918. I am so pleased my real home in NZ was the pioneers of the suffragette movement. Hats off Kate Sheppard!


The test took me a mere 10minutes to complete.


I was lucky to get an appointment to do the test within a week of calling the Essex Road centre and would recommend anyone attempting the test to study both the Blue Home Office Book, one of the many study books and take loads of the tests online. This link should help


I thought the test centre looked like a copy shop so be warned if you are heading along - they are a friendly bunch of multiculural folk there ready and waiting.


I got caught on a couple of questions which I will never know if I got right or wrong....


Who looks after the finances of the Police services in the UK?
A. The Government
B. The Metropolitan Police
C. The Council
D. The Local Police Authority


and


In the UK if you refuse to take a breathalyser if stopped whilst driving you...
A. Be given a warning
B. Will be Arrested
C. Will have your license taken off you
D. Instantly fined


Alas I only needed to get 18/24. With a nervous wobble as I received my results the official smiled and congratulated me for passing. I will never know my true result but honestly I'm not that bothered.


When I returned to work shortly after the test my colleagues asked if I felt more English. My response was that I felt like I had been to another country because I went to an urban neighbourhood during the working day and that was like nothing I have experienced for a very long time!


 Now for the real fun - down to Croydon in Suf London next Thursday morning for the interrogation! Wish me luck. 
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Comments

  1. Pasta Bites26 May 2011 at 09:26

    Well done my dear. Maybe I should take this test, just for the sake of it, myself. Yet I have to ask - what does 'allegable' mean?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jo26 May 2011 at 21:01

    I can give you the book to read if you like...just to expand your horizons (and save you the £34.27). As for the later point...clearly my english needs a spell check! x

    ReplyDelete

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