(02SEP25) I rarely tell personal life updates on my blog but this time, I’m happy to share that I recently become a British citizen. ⭐️ At present, it still feels surreal and I can’t believe that this happened! My 6-year OFW journey was filled with back stories that only my close friends and family know as I juggle my independent life in the UK. There were several moments that I was close to permanently return to the Philippines yet, there were instances that held me here. Hence, I’m still and am here.
This is a narrative of my timeline on how I pursued my British citizenship through the sponsorship route. I hope this inspires and helps those who are thinking to work here in GB and for those who will apply for citizenship soon. Take this kind reminder that it all takes a lot of patience and knowing what you want.
NB: All thoughts are of my own ⭐️March 7th 2019- PH to UK
My last day in the Philippines has been the most difficult goodbyes and let alone, I did not sleep a day prior to my flight anymore. I was scared on the inside, but I framed my mind to just think of this as a long trip with new experiences. I don’t even have an idea of what Lewisham was before. The first few months felt like a honeymoon period where homesickness hasn’t kicked in and that, my mind was wholly focused with work and hectic studying for the OSCE’s. Y’all can read my first thoughts of living in the UK here.
I took the OSCE’s at Ulster University in Derry; Eversince then, I haven’t gone back to Northern IR and I don’t planned of giving it a proper tour as it’s my least fav among 4 countries of the UK. I find it very laid back and maybe if you want a place that’s serene and quiet, then that’s the place to be! I got my NMC pin on 12th June. Read more about my short trip to NI here.
March 2022- BRP renewal + first NMC revalidation
As years passed by, adulting seemed to be hitting hard on both life and career. This first residency renewal was still sponsored by the Trust but this is only for another 2 years as it’s expected to apply for ILR after that. Additionally, the NMC revalidation takes place which is a recap of trainings, feedbacks and reviews of what you’ve learned for the past 3 years. So keep track of those training certificates! It was my 2nd time to revalidate as of this writing and I realised that this process goes down to whoever senior you’d like to conduct it with (ideally a line manager or a band 6 staff). Some are very proper, strict or lax but no matter what, complete it with the best of your abilities 😊
March 9th 2024- “Life in the UK” exam + ILR application
Timing is key once reached the 5th year. There are those who would choose to extend their sponsorship but that will depend on the Trust’s policy. Yet to my mind, I just want to get this process out of my way since in a nutshell, it’s the same path that I’m likely to take even if I delay it. So 2 months before my exact 5th year in UK, I prepared to take “The Life in The UK” test. I downloaded the official review app of the exam and answered everything until I scored 100% (the exam has 24 questions and the passing rate is 75 or 6 incorrect marks). You wouldn’t really know your score at the end but they’ll email the test result code if it’s a pass. The questions are actually very basic and the only struggle for me is to learn more about British history and the government.
I applied for ILR by the last week of March because I did one more travel after I took the exam 🙉 Though, I wasn’t aware that booking the appointment can be hectic so I ended up applying by Mid-April and paid for an express fee in which the result was guaranteed to arrive within a week. Luckily, I got mine after 2 calendar days(April 21, 2024)!⭐️
It was a lengthy application in my case, I’ve frequently travelled over the past 5years however, I made a list of it beforehand and took caution of how many days I left the UK.
Imagine the need to input these trips one at a time!🙈 As per the rule, it’s all good as long as the leave didn’t last for 180days in a year. Of course, my trips outside the UK didn’t stop after my ILR grant. Generally, you will still need visas to travel and there are some that can accept permanent residency status. Having the ILR status also has the benefits of using public funds (which I did and it was a big help).
April 28th 2025- Citizenship Application
This was the biggest decision that I made in my life so far and it wasn’t easy given my circumstance during the first half of this year. I didn’t get to travel after my Schengen visa expired because I got busy looking for a new job. At the same time, anxiety reaped on me with so much thoughts about the future; I would cry at nights thinking if this was still worth to achieve but then I took courage to continue and gave it a shot. I came to a point that at least I tried if ever that it gets rejected. I was almost prepared to return home. I sent my application 7days after a year of receiving my ILR status.
May 20th- biometrics; This was the earliest free booking at that time. The Home Office in Croydon was very strict yet it was a quick appointment. It’s literally just to take the fingerprints, photo and passport scanning. Then, after that is the unpredicatable waiting game. I would say that prayer and positive affirmations help plus make sure to keep yourself busy! I even travelled a few days after I had my appointment (I went back home) which was truly a breath of fresh air. Like I said previously, 3 months of being unable to get out of the country felt like I was in London prison.
July 14th-citizenship result
Never in my wildest imaginations would I expect of getting my result for only after 6 weeks! I even anticipated the fact that it’s rejected or would take a little longer🥺 I was at work when the result came and the first thing I did was to call my family for the news. I was crying on the phone that I barely spoke but I had to keep myself composed. It’s a similar kind of joy that I felt when I passed the nursing boards and I definitely won’t forget this. I was able to book my oath taking ceremony 2 days after.
Sept 2nd- the Oath taking ceremony
I heard every borough has their own ways to conduct it and the place where I had was minimalist but it gave some Bridgerton vibes. I’m not going to spill anything about what happens at the ceremony (save it as a surprise for your moment!).Ideally, it is a very quick event but on my day, we were a big batch so it took about an hour. Everything felt like a graduation where there's photo-ops and speeches.
The Mayor of my borough did a welcoming speech
There was so much to be grateful for and one of which was that my parents were able to celebrate this with me. Hence, I share this achievement with my whole family.
Then on that night, I applied for my British passport (as an excited person haha!). The application is very straightforward and not as complicated as the others. Another waiting game begins right after submitting the documents by post. Just like how I waited for my citizenship result, I try to find distractions as days passed by so I won’t think much about it even if there was pressure since I have an upcoming trip. My passport was approved by 19th Sept then it was supposed to be delivered by 23rd Sept. I got it on the 25th since they didn’t allow to have it sent on shared flats.
This won't be the last time for my PH passport. But for now, I'm forever thankful for all the trips stamped on these!
Everything still felt surreal up especially when I think that I’m now able to travel anywhere without needing a visa to most countries! And if I summarize this whole experience, I would say that it’s all worth the wait.
As of this writing, I already tried travelling with my new passport and it’s such a thrill and liberating to use! I can’t wait to go on more trips—if life and work permits.🥲🙏🏻
It’s been real busy during my birthday month but it surely has been one of the best which I’ll share on my upcoming entries (multiple indeed so it might take time haha).
‘til then!
