En Voyage_Issue#11_Flickbook

En Voyage
LOCATE
GUERNSEY
YOUR HOME,
YOUR BUSINESS,
YOUR LIFE
Andrew Carey, Head of Locate Guernsey, puts Guernsey to the test.
Now and again, I’m asked if there’s a residency test
that new arrivals need to pass in order to be permitted
to live in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The answer? For
99 newcomers out of 100, no, there isn’t any test.
Guernsey’s Open Property Market works brilliantly
as a ready-made route in for those looking to move
to the island. But, it’s not that widely known that a
test can be taken; indeed, has to be taken by the very
small number of people who are in very
specific circumstances.
These individuals would not be holders of British
passports, but have lived in the British Isles for
a number of years and wish to apply for British
Citizenship, while they’re living in the Bailiwick of
Guernsey. This is known as the Citizenship Test and
they’ll need to answer questions about both the UK
and our Bailiwick to pass.
Passing the test means they are on their way to
a becoming a British citizen and getting their new
British passport, but they get one that, to my mind, is
rather special. Not every British passport has ‘British
Islands, Bailiwick of Guernsey’ on the front. I think that
makes those documents, somehow, a bit better.
But this rare Guernsey test - just for those who
wish to become British citizens while they’re living in
Guernsey - got me thinking about what’s involved and
indeed how well I know my island home. Would
I pass the Guernsey test if I took it? I’ve called
Guernsey home for more than 40 years. I run Locate
Guernsey. And I like quizzes.
It also made me wonder what sort of questions
I might ask to see how well friends and work
mates might get on. How well do they know their
island home?
(Obviously I set these questions while wearing
my Guernsey, having just eaten Bean Jar and
before I resumed my reading of The Book of
Ebenezer Le Page.)
30 En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine