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Crossing UK border with ILR instead of British passport

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:31 am
by specificus1
Hi all,

My son and I have recently received our nationality certificates (yay!), but I have not applied for our passports yet. We are both Russian so that means we do not have to give up our Russian passports, and will continue using both.

We are due to travel to Russia for Christmas (and then once again in January) and I suddenly realised we do not have enough time to get our first British passports (5 weeks left!).

There was something in the pack I have received following the citizenship ceremony about right of adobe, and how if I don't have it (and don't have British passport) I may not be allowed to return to the UK (https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode/overview)

So my question is - Will it be ok for us to cross the border using our ILRs? Do we just fill the landing card as usual and join the non-EU queue in Heathrow, or do we show our Naturalisation certificates, or do we go through the EU queue? I'm so confused! Any help or experience is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Re: Crossing UK border with ILR instead of British passport

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:40 am
by akhurshid
with applications processed in 2 to 3 weeks now, I think best thing would be to apply for new British passport.

Re: Crossing UK border with ILR instead of British passport

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:56 am
by CR001
Will it be ok for us to cross the border using our ILRs
Yes you can and travel with your naturalisatio/registration certificates, you will be fine using ILR and Russian passport.

Re: Crossing UK border with ILR instead of British passport

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:10 pm
by Wanderer
specificus1 wrote:Hi all,

My son and I have recently received our nationality certificates (yay!), but I have not applied for our passports yet. We are both Russian so that means we do not have to give up our Russian passports, and will continue using both.

We are due to travel to Russia for Christmas (and then once again in January) and I suddenly realised we do not have enough time to get our first British passports (5 weeks left!).

There was something in the pack I have received following the citizenship ceremony about right of adobe, and how if I don't have it (and don't have British passport) I may not be allowed to return to the UK (https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode/overview)

So my question is - Will it be ok for us to cross the border using our ILRs? Do we just fill the landing card as usual and join the non-EU queue in Heathrow, or do we show our Naturalisation certificates, or do we go through the EU queue? I'm so confused! Any help or experience is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Don't forget to register your other Nationality in Russia, it's one Dyadya Vova's new laws!

Re: Crossing UK border with ILR instead of British passport

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:33 pm
by specificus1
akhurshid wrote:with applications processed in 2 to 3 weeks now, I think best thing would be to apply for new British passport.
Are they really? It says expect at least 6 weeks. I'm just too scared to risk it, there's an interview as well, isn't there?

Re: Crossing UK border with ILR instead of British passport

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:35 pm
by specificus1
Wanderer wrote:
Don't forget to register your other Nationality in Russia, it's one Dyadya Vova's new laws!
Yes, I know that. Iron curtain and all!

Re: Crossing UK border with ILR instead of British passport

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:58 pm
by ban.s
also see the recent passport application timelines --> http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... -3740.html

Re: Crossing UK border with ILR instead of British passport

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 8:59 pm
by specificus1
Yes, thanks - looks like it's really quick.
Does anyone know if I'm able to recall my documents if it's getting close to our travel date, and then reapply after we come back?