Yesterday I passed the ‘Life in the UK Test’ (aka Britishness Test – a problematic exercise indeed). After over 9 years in the UK I am now one step closer to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILTR = permanent residency / settlement). The test was brought in for those seeking settlement in April 2007. For information on the test you can visit the following websites:
http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk/htmlsite/index.html
http://www.cititest.com/life-in-the-uk-test/downloads
I texted several friends with the news that I had passed the test. The following are extracts from the responses I received:
- ‘…does this mean you’r not american any more? good show!’
- ‘What ho. Fancy a brew old prune? Jolly hockey sticks.’
- ‘Welcome 2 the family of jellied eels, morris dancing and football hooligansim. It’s an honour to have you on board.’
- ‘Congratulations, now u just have to pass the british aesthetics test in which u must demonstrate ur ability 2 hold a pen like dickens and grow a beard like shakespeare…’
- ‘Jolly good old fellow. One of the natives now. Wot-wot? Tally ho chap! “God save the…”‘
- ‘Eating digestives and supporting a football team?’
- ‘… do you feel at one with the british way?’
Question: Does any other country require immigrants seeking settlement to pass a ‘way of life’ test? I know that in the USA a test exists for citizenship, but I don’t think one exists for permanent residency??
