Travelling on Indian Passport after citizenship ceremony

[IndiMarshall]

Following is my case

Citizenship ceremony is in November 2014
Travelling out of UK in Dec 2014
Back in UK in Jan 2015 (with in 90 days from the citizenship ceremony)


I have a question....

Am from India, Acc to my frnds and some posts in immigration boards (http://www.immigrationboards.com/other- ... 14367.html) , following is what I understood.. pls confirm if this is correct

Indian govt allows thier citizens 90 days free time to travel abroad on Indian passport after British citizenship cermony is completed. I am expected to kickstart the British passport application and surrender the Indian passport with in 90 days as I wish to travel abroad in future

With in 90 days there shouldnt be any issue ?? is this correct?
Can I travel using ILR that I hold at the moment ??
Do I have to carry British citizenship certificate ??
Let me know what care should I take at heathrow and in chennai ??

[milan69]

I traveled on 2 occasions when I was naturalised and before applying for British passport. On both occasions I just had to show my ILR on entering UK (Stanstead and Luton) and there was no problem whatsoever.

[IndiMarshall]

I traveled on 2 occasions when I was naturalised and before applying for British passport. On both occasions I just had to show my ILR on entering UK (Stanstead and Luton) and there was no problem whatsoever.

Thanks Milan,
Acc to your post in another thread... I understand you have dual nationality meaning you are not an Indian citizen.am I correct ? sorry I am looking for rules that are applicable to Indian citizen.

Can I have more replies ..

Ban.s ??

[IndiMarshall]

calling ban.s

[IndiMarshall]

ltt

[ouflak1]

Indian govt allows their citizens 90 days free time to travel abroad on Indian passport after British citizenship ceremony is completed.

Not exactly. The instant you finish the oath of allegiance to the UK at the ceremony, you are no longer an Indian citizen by Indian law. The laws of India do allow such a person retain and use their passport for up to 90 days for necessary visits, giving the former citizen time until their new travel documents have been arranged.

With in 90 days there shouldn't be any issue ?? is this correct?

There shouldn't be as long as you are honest.

Can I travel using ILR that I hold at the moment ??

Technically, your ILR became invalid that same instant you acquired citizenship. But there are several cases on this forum of people who have traveled using their old passport with the ILR stamp in it. Keep your citizenship certificate SAFE and with you when/if you have to come back into the UK without having a UK passport. Be honest. If they ask, explain the whole thing. The moment you become a UK citizen, they cannot deny you entry into your own country.

Do I have to carry British citizenship certificate?

Yes, and keep it safe like it's made out of gold.

Let me know what care should I take at Heathrow and in Chennai ??

Your ports of entry are irrelevant.

[ban.s]

Also search in "Other Countries" section - there are many threads on the same subject.

[IndiMarshall]

Indian govt allows their citizens 90 days free time to travel abroad on Indian passport after British citizenship ceremony is completed.

Not exactly. The instant you finish the oath of allegiance to the UK at the ceremony, you are no longer an Indian citizen by Indian law. The laws of India do allow such a person retain and use their passport for up to 90 days for necessary visits, giving the former citizen time until their new travel documents have been arranged.

With in 90 days there shouldn't be any issue ?? is this correct?

There shouldn't be as long as you are honest.

Can I travel using ILR that I hold at the moment ??

Technically, your ILR became invalid that same instant you acquired citizenship. But there are several cases on this forum of people who have traveled using their old passport with the ILR stamp in it. Keep your citizenship certificate SAFE and with you when/if you have to come back into the UK without having a UK passport. Be honest. If they ask, explain the whole thing. The moment you become a UK citizen, they cannot deny you entry into your own country.

Do I have to carry British citizenship certificate?

Yes, and keep it safe like it's made out of gold.

Let me know what care should I take at Heathrow and in Chennai ??

Your ports of entry are irrelevant.

thank u for the detailed reply .. much appreciated

[SJG]

Hello,

Sorry if this has been asked before but I cannot find the relevant information regarding all parts of my query.

I have a plan in mind but would like some clarification if possible.

My husband has applied for BC and is awaiting his confirmation. He is currently an Indian citizen and I am aware he can travel on his Indian passport for 90 days after receiving his certificate after the citizenahip ceremony.

My main question is, after the ceremony, can my husband travel to India on his Indian passport and then apply for his British passport from Bombay?

We will be living in UK however from Dec we have to be in India for family reasons for around 5-8 months.

Thank you for any help.

[IndiMarshall]

Hello,

Sorry if this has been asked before but I cannot find the relevant information regarding all parts of my query.

I have a plan in mind but would like some clarification if possible.

My husband has applied for BC and is awaiting his confirmation. He is currently an Indian citizen and I am aware he can travel on his Indian passport for 90 days after receiving his certificate after the citizenahip ceremony.

My main question is, after the ceremony, can my husband travel to India on his Indian passport and then apply for his British passport from Bombay?

We will be living in UK however from Dec we have to be in India for family reasons for around 5-8 months.

Thank you for any help.

As per a senior member here you can even take citizenship ceremony in any country after the approval letter is received .
I hope India is also in the list. so once you have the certificate and all other necessary documents I dont see a reason why UK will stop its citizen to apply for citizenship irrespective of what part of the world he is present at that moment.

ps: its not going to be very easy applying from India.. 4 month wait time, lots and lots of documenation, address proof in India... etc etc..

[hsmp_1476]

@SJG,

I would strongly advise against that. It is much easier to complete the passport application in UK rather than doing it in India. I had considered that and had emailed someone in MEA india (had found some email id from MEA india site). The guy replied clearly that if you have travelled on Indian passport after citizenship ceremony, then there is anyomatic fine one has to pay. I then pointed him to HCI london site about three month grace period to which he replied saying that thats the HCI london rule and is different from his rules in india. you can never know what are the rules in India until you go for an application. Plus as others have said, it will need much more documentation and very long to get the passport itself.

Thanks
Vikram

[SJG]

Thank you everyone for your help. I would not have been able to get through the maze of papperwork and stress had it not been for the comfort and knowledge of the forum.

My husband received his passport on time. We have to travel to India, he doesnt have time to get a visa, the HC has confirmed he can do this and travel on his Indian passport as it is within 3 months.

We plan on submitting his Indian passport in India and applying for his OCI while we are there however my question is, can he be in India without a visa while his OCI application is pending? Has anyone ever done this ?

Thank you once again guys