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Travelling on old passport after naturalisation

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 2:30 pm
by anonyMouse
I have had my application for naturalisation approved (hooray!) and have a date set for the ceremony. When I applied, I applied for a British passport at the same time. I have the earliest ceremony date I possibly can, but need to travel soon after the ceremony date to Europe (within a week).

Obviously I'm unlikely to have my British passport in time to travel. Given I will be a British citizen at that point, am I able to travel on my existing New Zealand passport, re-enter the country on this passport, and then collect my British passport when I return from Europe a few weeks later? If so, what should I tell border security when I re-enter? That is, do I tell them I am British, but don't have passport, or re-enter as a New Zealander?

Is there anything else I can try to be able to travel soon after my ceremony?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Re: Travelling on old passport after naturalisation

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 4:58 pm
by Backer
That should not be a problem. You can carry your naturalization certificate with you to present to border control upon entry proving to them you are British. There is no legal obligation as far as I know for British citizens to enter the UK with a British passport.

Re: Travelling on old passport after naturalisation

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 6:02 pm
by Casa
Once you have been granted British citizenship you are not permitted to enter the UK as a non-visa national visitor.

Re: Travelling on old passport after naturalisation

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 7:21 pm
by Backer
Casa wrote:
Mon Mar 26, 2018 6:02 pm
Once you have been granted British citizenship you are not permitted to enter the UK as a non-visa national visitor.
That is correct hence he has to possibly produce his naturalization certificate (along with his NZ passsport) to prove he is British