Panaji: Even as the dual nationality issue rages on in Goa, the fate of over 20,000 Goans living and working in the UK hangs in the balance as Britain took a historic, decisive vote to leave the European Union (EU) on Friday.
A report released by the University of Oxford in July 2015 states, "The only group larger than 10,000 with a common EU country of citizenship and a common non-EU country of birth is India-born Portuguese citizens. This group accounted for just over 20,000 UK residents in the first quarter of 2015."
While there are thousands of Goans who hold British passports, having migrated mostly from East Africa in the 1970s, the next wave of Goans started moving to the UK after Portugal became a member of the EU in 1986.
Under Portuguese law, those born in former Portuguese colonies before those colonies attained independence, continue to be Portuguese. All they have to do is get their births and marriages registered in Portugal.
Goans living in Goa and elsewhere in India, who have initiated the process of getting a Portuguese passport, are now caught in the unknown.
"I do not think Brexit will make a difference. EU passport holders will be given access to the UK. It won't even stop them from applying for jobs," says Bosco Fernandes of Ghatkopar, Mumbai.
Leonardo de Souza, a Goan working in Kuwait, says he has no plans to go to the UK. "I am in the process of getting a Portuguese passport. I intend on continuing to work in the Gulf itself, as getting a job as an EU passport holder will fetch me a higher salary than as an Indian passport holder," he said.
Another changing trend, a passport official says, is that Goans migrating to the UK with Portuguese passports are no longer single males, but entire families.
Zenia Martins, who migrated along with her husband in 2013, currently lives and works in London. "I have no idea what our fate will be. We just feel that Britain leaving the EU was a bad thing for us, and we were against it. We will have to wait and see what the new rules for EU immigrants will be," she said.
Milton Rodrigues, a Goan holding a British passport and president of Goans International, UK, says the next couple of years will define the future for Goan immigrants.
"It will take two years to implement Brexit. Those with five years in the UK should immediately apply for UK citizenship. I think bringing spouses will now be more difficult," he said, adding, "Those holding an OCI card can also look at Goa as an option."
Fatima Fernandes, a Portuguese nationality consultant, opined, "The Brexit decision was sad and shocking. I don't think the UK will change drastically. There may be a smooth transition. Those who migrated earlier may get UK citizenship. Other EU countries are still open. Goans prefer an English-speaking country as it is easier to adapt to. Many chose the UK as they had friends and family living there. Ireland is still an option for Goans who prefer a place where English is followed."
TOI Goa News
A report released by the University of Oxford in July 2015 states, "The only group larger than 10,000 with a common EU country of citizenship and a common non-EU country of birth is India-born Portuguese citizens. This group accounted for just over 20,000 UK residents in the first quarter of 2015."
While there are thousands of Goans who hold British passports, having migrated mostly from East Africa in the 1970s, the next wave of Goans started moving to the UK after Portugal became a member of the EU in 1986.
Under Portuguese law, those born in former Portuguese colonies before those colonies attained independence, continue to be Portuguese. All they have to do is get their births and marriages registered in Portugal.
Goans living in Goa and elsewhere in India, who have initiated the process of getting a Portuguese passport, are now caught in the unknown.
"I do not think Brexit will make a difference. EU passport holders will be given access to the UK. It won't even stop them from applying for jobs," says Bosco Fernandes of Ghatkopar, Mumbai.
Leonardo de Souza, a Goan working in Kuwait, says he has no plans to go to the UK. "I am in the process of getting a Portuguese passport. I intend on continuing to work in the Gulf itself, as getting a job as an EU passport holder will fetch me a higher salary than as an Indian passport holder," he said.
Another changing trend, a passport official says, is that Goans migrating to the UK with Portuguese passports are no longer single males, but entire families.
Zenia Martins, who migrated along with her husband in 2013, currently lives and works in London. "I have no idea what our fate will be. We just feel that Britain leaving the EU was a bad thing for us, and we were against it. We will have to wait and see what the new rules for EU immigrants will be," she said.
Milton Rodrigues, a Goan holding a British passport and president of Goans International, UK, says the next couple of years will define the future for Goan immigrants.
"It will take two years to implement Brexit. Those with five years in the UK should immediately apply for UK citizenship. I think bringing spouses will now be more difficult," he said, adding, "Those holding an OCI card can also look at Goa as an option."
Fatima Fernandes, a Portuguese nationality consultant, opined, "The Brexit decision was sad and shocking. I don't think the UK will change drastically. There may be a smooth transition. Those who migrated earlier may get UK citizenship. Other EU countries are still open. Goans prefer an English-speaking country as it is easier to adapt to. Many chose the UK as they had friends and family living there. Ireland is still an option for Goans who prefer a place where English is followed."
TOI Goa News
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