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traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

A section for posts relating to applications for Naturalisation or Registration as a British Citizen. Naturalisation

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Xiao Wong
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traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by Xiao Wong » Wed Sep 14, 2022 2:27 pm

Hi, my friend is a Chinese national with ILR (10 years route). He's hoping to apply for British citizenship & passport. Can he travel outside of the UK after submitting his application (since all documents will be submitted electronically/as copies and he has both passport and valid BRP)?
Many thanks in advance

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CR001
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Re: traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by CR001 » Wed Sep 14, 2022 2:33 pm

Yes, free to travel.
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Xiao Wong
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Re: traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by Xiao Wong » Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:15 pm

Many thanks for your reply! I'm sorry to bother again, but it's not easy to find the most recent sources on this application process (British citizenship after ILR 10 years route + 1). Would you be able to point me to the most up-to-date official guidance? Thanks!

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Ticktack
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Re: traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by Ticktack » Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:47 pm

Xiao Wong wrote:
Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:15 pm
Many thanks for your reply! I'm sorry to bother again, but it's not easy to find the most recent sources on this application process (British citizenship after ILR 10 years route + 1). Would you be able to point me to the most up-to-date official guidance? Thanks!
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-in ... w-to-apply

Rules are the same for applying after 1 year ILR, 20 or 100 years ILR.
No sin in failing, you just have to try and try again!

Xiao Wong
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Re: traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by Xiao Wong » Fri Sep 16, 2022 3:02 pm

Thank you!

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alterhase58
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Re: traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by alterhase58 » Fri Sep 16, 2022 3:33 pm

The full naturalisation guidance is here, official link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... n-guidance
Your route to ILR is not relevant - you either qualify or not.
This is just my opinion as a member of this forum and does not constitute immigration advice.
Please do not send me private messages asking for advice.

srd1982
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Re: traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by srd1982 » Sat Sep 17, 2022 6:09 pm

On a similar topic - I've understood once British Citizenship approval is received and ceremony attended, it is not possible to then travel until you have a UK Passport (this is what I've always understood).
But I've had 2 different friends tell me they had their citizenship ceremony up to 2 years ago and have not yet bothered to get British Passport, but have still continued to travel in and out without any issue.
I ask because my EU partner is about to attend UK citizenship ceremony, but won't have time to apply and wait for a passport if we want to attend a wedding in Australia. I'm nervous about whether he'll be able to return to the UK a month later just on Portuguese passport. Has anyone had similar experience? (Thanks in advance :D )

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Re: traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by alterhase58 » Sat Sep 17, 2022 10:23 pm

srd1982 wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 6:09 pm
On a similar topic - I've understood once British Citizenship approval is received and ceremony attended, it is not possible to then travel until you have a UK Passport (this is what I've always understood).
But I've had 2 different friends tell me they had their citizenship ceremony up to 2 years ago and have not yet bothered to get British Passport, but have still continued to travel in and out without any issue.
I ask because my EU partner is about to attend UK citizenship ceremony, but won't have time to apply and wait for a passport if we want to attend a wedding in Australia. I'm nervous about whether he'll be able to return to the UK a month later just on Portuguese passport. Has anyone had similar experience? (Thanks in advance :D )
Clearly a British passport is the preferred travel document - however, many dual citizens travel using their other nationality passport to travel if they they are "visa free" nationals, such as EU citizens. Especially currently with huge backlogs at HMPO.

There are two aspects to this:
1. Return flight from AU: Portugal is in the EU and their citizens don't require a visa to enter the UK so I would expect the airline to allow him to board the flight on the basis of his passport. But do check the airline's advice regarding what they expect EU passengers to present to be allowed to board from AU to the UK.
2. Entering the UK: as he's a British citizen he has the "right of abode" in the UK and cannot be refused entry. Best to carry the naturalisation certificate as proof of this, otherwise he may be questioned as a visitor. Note the certificate is not a travel document and cannot be used elsewhere except at the UK border.
This is just my opinion as a member of this forum and does not constitute immigration advice.
Please do not send me private messages asking for advice.

srd1982
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Re: traveling outside of UK after submitting application for British citizenship

Post by srd1982 » Sun Sep 18, 2022 2:14 pm

alterhase58 wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 10:23 pm
srd1982 wrote:
Sat Sep 17, 2022 6:09 pm
On a similar topic - I've understood once British Citizenship approval is received and ceremony attended, it is not possible to then travel until you have a UK Passport (this is what I've always understood).
But I've had 2 different friends tell me they had their citizenship ceremony up to 2 years ago and have not yet bothered to get British Passport, but have still continued to travel in and out without any issue.
I ask because my EU partner is about to attend UK citizenship ceremony, but won't have time to apply and wait for a passport if we want to attend a wedding in Australia. I'm nervous about whether he'll be able to return to the UK a month later just on Portuguese passport. Has anyone had similar experience? (Thanks in advance :D )
Clearly a British passport is the preferred travel document - however, many dual citizens travel using their other nationality passport to travel if they they are "visa free" nationals, such as EU citizens. Especially currently with huge backlogs at HMPO.

There are two aspects to this:
1. Return flight from AU: Portugal is in the EU and their citizens don't require a visa to enter the UK so I would expect the airline to allow him to board the flight on the basis of his passport. But do check the airline's advice regarding what they expect EU passengers to present to be allowed to board from AU to the UK.
2. Entering the UK: as he's a British citizen he has the "right of abode" in the UK and cannot be refused entry. Best to carry the naturalisation certificate as proof of this, otherwise he may be questioned as a visitor. Note the certificate is not a travel document and cannot be used elsewhere except at the UK border.
Thanks very much @alterhase58, that makes sense, and what I was hoping to hear. Thanks for taking time to reply.

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