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Travel on foreign passport after ceremony?

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

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Irenejg
Newly Registered
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2020 5:07 pm
New Zealand

Travel on foreign passport after ceremony?

Post by Irenejg » Mon Dec 19, 2022 11:56 am

I just received notification that my application for citizenship was approved. Now I need to schedule the ceremony, and I want to make sure I time it right given some upcoming travel plans. I see three options:


1. Ceremony ASAP, travel on foreign passport
2. Ceremony ASAP, apply for and travel on British passport
3. Ceremony after travel but within 90 days

Obviously option 3 is the safest, but after many years and many ££, I just want to get things tied up right away. Rationally I know at this stage nothing can go wrong and waiting is fine, but there's a part of me that still worries.

Option 2, getting a British passport before travel, feels like too much of a gamble. My first trip is less than 10 weeks away, and even though the timeline says lots of people are getting their passports more quickly, it seems like an unnecessary risk.

So, is option 1 even an option? Previous threads I've read suggest the reason this is best avoided is that one might be denied boarding/denied entry. I'd be travelling on a New Zealand passport and have enough travel stacked that airline agents can be convinced I won't "overstay" the normal 6-month limit. Presumably Border Force would be able to see that I'm a citizen even if I'm travelling on a foreign passport?

TLDR, can I travel to/enter the UK on my foreign passport after my ceremony, before I've applied for my British passport?
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meself2
Moderator
Posts: 3727
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2021 5:10 pm
Ireland

Re: Travel on foreign passport after ceremony?

Post by meself2 » Mon Dec 19, 2022 12:08 pm

theoretically yes, if your passport allows visa free entry to UK - Stupid will be fine with it and on the border you can show your registration certificate and explain the situation - afaik they can't not let British citizen in. However, wouldn't advise to hassle too much.
I know your feeling, get things done and dusted after a long wait, but if you have time to spare, err on the side of caution.
Not a qualified immigration adviser. Use links and references given to gain confirmation and/or extra information.
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User avatar
Ticktack
Respected Guru
Posts: 2735
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2022 10:35 am
United Kingdom

Re: Travel on foreign passport after ceremony?

Post by Ticktack » Mon Dec 19, 2022 12:17 pm

Irenejg wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 19, 2022 11:56 am
 I just received notification that my application for citizenship was approved. Now I need to schedule the ceremony, and I want to make sure I time it right given some upcoming travel plans. I see three options:


1. Ceremony ASAP, travel on foreign passport
2. Ceremony ASAP, apply for and travel on British passport
3. Ceremony after travel but within 90 days

Obviously option 3 is the safest, but after many years and many ££, I just want to get things tied up right away. Rationally I know at this stage nothing can go wrong and waiting is fine, but there's a part of me that still worries.

Option 2, getting a British passport before travel, feels like too much of a gamble. My first trip is less than 10 weeks away, and even though the timeline says lots of people are getting their passports more quickly, it seems like an unnecessary risk.

So, is option 1 even an option? Previous threads I've read suggest the reason this is best avoided is that one might be denied boarding/denied entry. I'd be travelling on a New Zealand passport and have enough travel stacked that airline agents can be convinced I won't "overstay" the normal 6-month limit. Presumably Border Force would be able to see that I'm a citizen even if I'm travelling on a foreign passport?

TLDR, can I travel to/enter the UK on my foreign passport after my ceremony, before I've applied for my British passport?
Your fears I understand. All the options are safe for you. Even the dreaded option 1. Kiwi's are safe.
No sin in failing, you just have to try and try again!
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alterhase58
Moderator
Posts: 8738
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 12:02 am
Location: UK Bucks
Germany

Re: Travel on foreign passport after ceremony?

Post by alterhase58 » Mon Dec 19, 2022 1:46 pm

UK Border Force may or may not see your UK citizen status on their system - all depends how fast and accurate their updates are.
If you have your certificate you can show that as proof to UK Border Force - as was mentioned already, a British citizen has an absolute right of abode in the UK and cannot be refused entry, even without a British passport. It could just mean a bit of extra hassle at the border. Many dual citizens have taken this approach over the past few months, with all the HMPO delays.
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.
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inzogbiya
Newbie
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:13 am

Re: Travel on foreign passport after ceremony?

Post by inzogbiya » Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:52 pm

Just my own experience.

My son was born in Canada and we entered the UK when he was 3 months old on his Canadian passport.

I carried my naturalisation certificate and my son’s Canadian birth certificate as evidence that he’s British.

The border officer inspected all documents and let us through although she had to call her superior for approval. She said to apply for his British passport asap, which we did.
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