Response from Scottish Government re my question put to them.

**Oddquine** · 06-Mar-14, 00:20

Originally Posted by Southern-Gal

Not a daft question at all.
If I was considered an immigrant would I get any help if I needed it? Would I need private health insurance?
I may not be asked to leave but it could be made that I chose to.

On another note if after a yes vote all UK residents in Scotland would be allowed to apply for a Scottish passport would that be enough to make a nationalist Scot vote no?

If you can vote in Scotland, why would you be considered an immigrant after independence.

If you can vote, it means you live here.......and if you live here you will be as much a Scottish citizen as anyone else after independence, Scottish born or not...and entitled to the same rights as everybody else.

It won't make this independence minded, ex-SNP activist Scot vote no...why would it?

**squidge** · 06-Mar-14, 00:27

Originally Posted by Southern-Gal

I can see little point in getting any answers when the catchline is 'However, I should clarify that any arrangements for independence following the referendum on Scottish Independence depend on relevant legislation brought forward in this area. Any legislation could be subject to consideration, enactment or approval in parliament. There may also be changes or additions to the current policy intention.'

You could ask them about that particular point too.

**ducati** · 06-Mar-14, 03:24

Originally Posted by squidge

No spurtle, the whole point is that the money which is paid in Scotland by the people of Scotland will be spent by a Scottish Government on priorities decided by us. The Scottish voter. Whether that voter is English, Polish, welsh, Chinese, Indian or from Mars, is immaterial. This referendum is not about nationality it is about democracy. If you are Scottish born in Scotland lived in Scotland all your life then you are a British citizen and, unless you choose to give that up then you will remain so all your life lol. I am English and British and I will STILL be English and British after independence. It's about making our own decisions Spurtle not making us all Scottish.

Once again, uncertainty. It says clearly in the reply, UK passports will be recognised untill they expire. Mine expired some 10 years ago. I'm sure I am not alone. It is not now a requirement to hold a current passport to be a British citizen. Where does that leave people like me?

**squidge** · 06-Mar-14, 08:53

It leaves you a British citizen - don't take my word for it - it is there on the home office website under citizenship. Living in and even becoming a citizen of another country does not take away your British citizenship. It is yours by right until you die or you give it up. If you live out with the UK then you just apply for a British passport from where you live. This happens all the time guys cos British citizens live all over the world.

**ducati** · 06-Mar-14, 09:00

Originally Posted by squidge

It leaves you a British citizen - don't take my word for it - it is there on the home office website under citizenship. Living in and even becoming a citizen of another country does not take away your British citizenship. It is yours by right until you die or you give it up. If you live out with the UK then you just apply for a British passport from where you live. This happens all the time guys cos British citizens live all over the world.

The reply does not make that clear, it also reserves the right to change anything they say now, after independence. Did you read it? This is becoming more and more of a farce every day.

And, it is difficult enough now to apply for a new passport from a remote area of the UK (that's why I never bothered until I actually need one), how much more difficult will it be from a foreign country?

If I thought there was any chance of a yes vote, I'd apply for one now just in case.

And what does this mean?

'British citizens who are habitually resident in Scotland and British citizens born in Scotland but residing elsewhere, will automatically be considered Scottish citizens'.

**squidge** · 06-Mar-14, 09:45

Ducati, I said check out the home office website. The UK website, it explains exactly what happens if you live in a different country and exactly what your British citizenship means, how it is determined and how dual nationality works. The sentence you quotes means exactly what it says, if you are living in Scotland on Independence Day then you will be cinsidered a Scottish citizen and entitled to all the rights of any other Scottish citizen

**Phill** · 06-Mar-14, 10:45

Originally Posted by oddquine;

I'd figure it would be because your question could only be answered by Westminster....don't you think?

No, it could of been answered by both groups. Even if the answer was that there is no answer until Sept 19 or beyond.

If it was an answer for Westminster on post Indy questions then it just shows how little thought has been given to the process.

**spurtle** · 06-Mar-14, 11:00

But squidge, that is only if you are British and live in -say France , but if you are now classed as Scottish and not British how can you get a British passport that's like saying I am French and live in Japan , I'd like an Indian passport . We would no longer be
British I thought that was whole point? Am I right on this if Scotland becomes Independent I am then classed as Scottish and no longer British?

**jax** · 06-Mar-14, 11:06

Originally Posted by spurtle

But squidge, that is only if you are British and live in -say France , but if you are now classed as Scottish and not British how can you get a British passport that's like saying I am French and live in Japan , I'd like an Indian passport . We would no longer be British I thought that was whole point? Am I right on this if Scotland becomes Independent I am then classed as Scottish and no longer British?

That the way I read it too, I am Scottish so I don't have a problem with it but I can see why other would.

**squidge** · 06-Mar-14, 13:02

Spurtle I'm sorry if I wasn't clear but this answer is in the UK law. It's not affected by Independence. Whether you are granted Scottish Citizenship makes absolutely NO difference to your British Citizenship because the law surrounding British citizenship does not allow the British government to remove your citizenship. So if you are granted Scottish Citizenship and are a British citizen you will hold dual nationality and will only lose that British Citizenship if you yourself choose to give it up. This applies to every British citizen living in practically any country in the world. No one can force you to give up your right to be a British citizen but you can have and will automatically get Dual citizenship as a result of automatically being given Scottish Citizenship after independence if you live in Scotland.
You will remain a British citizen for the rest of your life.

The information is on the UKBA pages. When I stop travelling I will find the links for you.

**Big Gaz** · 06-Mar-14, 13:16

Originally Posted by ducati

Once again, uncertainty. It says clearly in the reply, UK passports will be recognised untill they expire. Mine expired some 10 years ago. I'm sure I am not alone. It is not now a requirement to hold a current passport to be a British citizen. Where does that leave people like me?

Nothing to stop you along with many others sending off for a new one is there?

**Big Gaz** · 06-Mar-14, 13:27

Apparently several of the worlds' countries (a few EU too) that have British citizens (i.e. Scots) living & working there will be considering either offering them fast-track citizenship in exchange for their UK passport or expulsion if independence goes through. Citing that due to possible passport irregularities, immigration issues and that as such, there is no formal agreement yet in place to allow Scottish citizens to remain there then either offering citizenship or sending them home with their tails between their legs is the only thing they are considering. Will Eck be considering this option with the immigrant population of Scotland too in a tit-for-tat move? I can see a mighty big can of worms on the horizon with "made in Scotland" stamped on the bottom!

**Gronnuck** · 06-Mar-14, 14:11

Originally Posted by Big Gaz

Apparently several of the worlds' countries (a few EU too) that have British citizens (i.e. Scots) living & working there will be considering either offering them fast-track citizenship in exchange for their UK passport or expulsion if independence goes through. Citing that due to possible passport irregularities, immigration issues and that as such, there is no formal agreement yet in place to allow Scottish citizens to remain there then either offering citizenship or sending them home with their tails between their legs is the only thing they are considering. Will Eck be considering this option with the immigrant population of Scotland too in a tit-for-tat move? I can see a mighty big can of worms on the horizon with "made in Scotland" stamped on the bottom!

Please cite the source for your assertion in your first sentence.

**Southern-Gal** · 06-Mar-14, 15:07

If the vote is yes then Scotland will at least be temporarily not part of the EU. It worries me that I may find myself in a foreign country with no right to be there. It would be a lot worse for all the Scots living all over Europe when they will not be part of it if Scotland is not 'in'.
Nothing in the reply reassures me either. It just looks like bluff to stop panic with no real commitment behind it AND a get out clause just in case I and many others were daft enough to believe it in the first place.

**Southern-Gal** · 06-Mar-14, 15:08

A more honest reply would be 'we dont know, we havent thought that far ahead'.

**squidge** · 06-Mar-14, 16:01

But we do know. If the vote is YES then we have 18 months to sort out the EU. Even if Scotland is not In the EU, All the Scots living all over the world will still be British Citizens just like they are now. You will be living in a united Kingdom as a British Citizen for that period. After Independence you will still be a British Citizen living surrounded by other British Citizens but in an Independent Scotland. All the Scots living abroad will still be British Citizens living abroad just like they are now. The ONLY difference to you will be that you can have Scottish citizenship too. Again, this is NOTHING to do with the Scottish Government, independence will have no impact on your British Citizenship at all because this is legislation which applies to British Citizenship across the whole world. Here you go http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-...s-26443014Hope this helps.

**Gronnuck** · 06-Mar-14, 16:57

Originally Posted by Southern-Gal

If the vote is yes then Scotland will at least be temporarily not part of the EU. It worries me that I may find myself in a foreign country with no right to be there. It would be a lot worse for all the Scots living all over Europe when they will not be part of it if Scotland is not 'in'.
Nothing in the reply reassures me either. It just looks like bluff to stop panic with no real commitment behind it AND a get out clause just in case I and many others were daft enough to believe it in the first place.

You will still be a British Citizen, that will not change. You will then have the choice of whether you want to become a Scottish Citizen too. Nobody is going to turf you out on your ear; and nobody is going to go around throwing out Latvians. Estonians, Poles, Germans, English or French or anyone else who has chosen through perfectly legitimate means to live here.
I'm no advocate for independence, I'm still sitting on the fence, but the more I read and hear of the silliness that gets bandied about the more I'm inclined to say, "Och tae hell wie it, let's just do it and see what happens!"

**ducati** · 06-Mar-14, 17:56

Originally Posted by squidge

Ducati, I said check out the home office website. The UK website, it explains exactly what happens if you live in a different country and exactly what your British citizenship means, how it is determined and how dual nationality works. The sentence you quotes means exactly what it says, if you are living in Scotland on Independence Day then you will be cinsidered a Scottish citizen and entitled to all the rights of any other Scottish citizen

But I have no interest in having the rights of a Scottish citizen, I want the rights of a UK citizen.