Restriction for Irish citizens working in UK non-departmental public body

Silent Runner

I know there isn't anything stopping an Irish citizen from working in the UK, but is there anything stopping you from working for the civil service over there. I filled out an application form for this job (CV/references) and got an invitation for an interview and booked. But I forgot to open an attachment that was in the email.

It says I must "A passport showing you are a British citizen, or have right of abode in the UK" and "A certificate of registration or naturalisation stating that you are a British Citizen."

Green Back

Silent Runner wrote: »

I know there isn't anything stopping an Irish citizen from working in the UK, but is there anything stopping you from working for the civil service over there. I filled out an application form for this job (CV/references) and got an invitation for an interview and booked. But I forgot to open an attachment that was in the email.

It says I must "A passport showing you are a British citizen, or have right of abode in the UK" and "A certificate of registration or naturalisation stating that you are a British Citizen."

I think all EU citizens have a right to abode in the UK and Irish people certainly do.

Green Back

Here is what it says on the MOD website:

"Are there any nationality restrictions for joining the MOD Civil Service?
Due to the special allegiance to the State necessary to undertake MOD work, nationality restrictions apply to all vacancies. All jobs are open to UK nationals and most jobs are also open to members of the Commonwealth, EEA members and Irish nationals. Other nationals may be considered in exceptional circumstances."

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/EqualityAndDiversity/EqualOpportunitiesInTheCivilServiceFaqs.htm

I dont see any problem for you.

Silent Runner

Green Back wrote: »

Here is what it says on the MOD website:

"Are there any nationality restrictions for joining the MOD Civil Service?
Due to the special allegiance to the State necessary to undertake MOD work, nationality restrictions apply to all vacancies. All jobs are open to UK nationals and most jobs are also open to members of the Commonwealth, EEA members and Irish nationals. Other nationals may be considered in exceptional circumstances."

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/EqualityAndDiversity/EqualOpportunitiesInTheCivilServiceFaqs.htm

I dont see any problem for you.

Thanks for that. I didn't think there would a restriction until it was worded like that. I had a look over the company of my next potiential employer, the Environment Agency but couldn't find anything like that. I might drop them an email to be on the safe side.

Green Back

Silent Runner wrote: »

Thanks for that. I didn't think there would a restriction until it was worded like that. I had a look over the company of my next employer, the Environment Agency but couldn't find anything like that. I might drop them an email to be on the safe side.

Im sure you're have no problem but Im sure the email will give you piece of mind.
Congrats on getting the job

emeraldstar

Silent Runner wrote: »

It says I must "A passport showing you are a British citizen, or have right of abode in the UK" and "A certificate of registration or naturalisation stating that you are a British Citizen."

Well, assuming you're an Irish citizen, then the emboldened part applies to you. It's there in black and white so you seem to be inventing problems where there are none tbh!

Congrats.

wildefalcon

You have an absolute right of abode in the UK - Ireland and the UK share a "common travel area" - each state recognises people from the other as the same as if from their own, National Security Excepted.

After 3 years residence you may apply for a UK passport, you may vote in elections, and I believe you can run for public office. You can be granted any Honour (remember Sir Bob Geldoff?).


Don't worry about it, and don't get upset when some people don't realise the Republic is a separate state - they don't mean harm, it's more a case of "you are one of our own, unlike the French"

harney

Unless you are going to be working in an area that requires clearances such as UK Eyes Only / NATO Eyes Only or perhaps Top Secret (depends on the caveats around it) then you should have no issue working in a UK government department.

r3nu4l

There are no issues whatsoever unless your branch of the civil service is MI5, SIS (MI6) or GCHQ.

You must be a British citizen to work for the Security Service. One of your parents should be British or have substantial ties to the UK. In the latter instance, substantial ties means that your parent is a citizen of a British Overseas Territory, a Commonwealth citizen, US citizen, EEA citizen, British national or citizen overseas, and they would need to have demonstrable connections with the UK by way of family history or have been resident here for a substantial period of time.

In reality unless you are actually British and can prove strong family ties to the UK you can forget about these branches of the civil service, same goes for certain parts of the foreign office.

Jimoslimos

r3nu4l wrote: »

There are no issues whatsoever unless your branch of the civil service is MI5, SIS (MI6) or GCHQ.



In reality unless you are actually British and can prove strong family ties to the UK you can forget about these branches of the civil service, same goes for certain parts of the foreign office.

I'd imagine that some sections of the above, especially those dealing with counter-terroism would have a small number of non-British employees.

Forgive me, if my post is a result of watching too much Spooks and is more deserving of a place in the Conspiracy Theories forum:o

Silent Runner

Thanks for all the replies. Got on grand with the interview, not sure how many applied or what my chances where but I gave it my best shot. Strangley after all that they didn't ask any documention from me, no Id/passport/Driving licence.

It even said that i had to show them my NI number, but I didn't see the point since I wasn't actually working in the UK yet and if I'm not mistaken it takes around three weeks to get one which would fit in around the time frame of being offered the job and actually working in the company. Have I got this wrong or should I try and apply for an NI even if I'm not working in the UK or living there? I've a relations address over there I could use to help with this

Thanks again for all the help.

pow wow

You can't apply for one unless you're already there as you have to attend an interview and receive stuff in the post from them. If you can stay with a relative and use their address that would be the easiest solution.

djpbarry

Silent Runner wrote: »

Strangley after all that they didn't ask any documention from me, no Id/passport/Driving licence.

Why would they? I’ve been asked for a copy of my passport before starting a new job, but never for an interview – they have no reason to believe you are not who you say you are!

Silent Runner wrote: »

It even said that i had to show them my NI number, but I didn't see the point since I wasn't actually working in the UK yet and if I'm not mistaken it takes around three weeks to get one which would fit in around the time frame of being offered the job and actually working in the company. Have I got this wrong or should I try and apply for an NI even if I'm not working in the UK or living there? I've a relations address over there I could use to help with this

Don’t worry about the NI number – it’s not a big deal. Worry about getting a job and finding somewhere to live first, then when you’re settled you can sort out the NI number.

Marcusm

Green Back wrote: »

I think all EU citizens have a right to abode in the UK and Irish people certainly do.

Irish and other CTA citizens have an unusual and beneficial treatment in the UK under the Immigration Act 1971 s9(3) which means that we are not subject to immigration restrictions on arrival. EU citizens (which an Irish person can also assert) are not actually as strong - we each have the right to enter and stay in another EU country for 3 months with very limited restrictions thereafter we need to (theoretically) demonstrate that we are exercising employment rights, self employment rights or can demonstrate economic self sufficiency (including substantial income and comprehensive health insurance). Theoretically, an EU citizen has no recourse to public funds in the host country (Netherlands recently announced the withdrawal of dole from EU citizens) and only acquire permanent residence (ie indefinite leave to remain) after 5 years.