Immigrationboards.com

Hi all

I'm American and attended my citizenship ceremony recently. I have not yet applied for my UK passport. Just a few quick questions on travel:

1. Subsequent to receiving my naturalisation certificate, but before I apply for my UK passport, can I travel out of and into the UK? I'm scheduled to be out of the country for a few days beginning in early August.

2. From what I gather, when applying for my UK passport, I need to submit my US passport along with my UK passport application, so it sounds like it's impossible to travel at all while my UK passport application is being processed. Is that right?

3. Finally, regarding the return of a BRP card, does this need to be done within 5 days or within 5 working days? I'm just conscious that I still need to do this.

Thanks!

Winkles1000 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 23, 2022 4:45 pm

1. Subsequent to receiving my naturalisation certificate, but before I apply for my UK passport, can I travel out of and into the UK?

As long as the strength of your passport allows it, yes. This is usually a big problem for visa-required nationals, but American passport holders usually have no issue. Depending on your mode of transportation, you might even never need to face a human immigration officer (if using eGates), in which case the passport itself validates your admission. But if at all you need to speak to an officer, you can always have your naturalisation certificate at hand.

My French partner just traveled back from France on the Eurostar, after his British citizenship ceremony and on his French passport, and not having his naturalisation certificate with him. Passport scanned by officer, "Good morning sir, please continue", and ZERO questions asked.

2. From what I gather, when applying for my UK passport, I need to submit my US passport along with my UK passport application, so it sounds like it's impossible to travel at all while my UK passport application is being processed. Is that right?

Correct, unless you travel by road from Northern Ireland and into the Republic of Ireland, as there are no border checks.

3. Finally, regarding the return of a BRP card, does this need to be done within 5 days or within 5 working days? I'm just conscious that I still need to do this.

It does not specify, so best call would be to assume it means 5 calendar days.

My two cents is that this is not something that is enforced at all. They can't possibly go checking which BRPs have been returned and which haven't, and go fining those people who don't return their BRPs. That would be a massive waste of resources. Think about it.

What they probably do is fine those people who have let their old BRP fall into the wrong hands and into the illegal reproduction/tampering of false BRPs. And this only comes to light when one such BRPs is found. Hence the wording "You might be fined" NOT "You will be fined". The difference is important.

All that to say, if you are late in returning your BRP by a couple of days, the chances of you facing any kind of negative consequence is abysmally minimal.

Thank you! That's very helpful.

for return of the BRP card, is it just cutting it in half, popping it in an envelope and sending it off to the specified address, and that's it?

do i need to include a letter or explanation in the envelope?

Thanks again!

You're meant to include a letter that states why you're returning it. I just did a handwritten note that said 'I became a citizen on xx date and am returning my BRP card as required' or something like that!

I'm also American, and went to Poland after my ceremony, as I haven't applied for my passport yet. No issues at all going to Poland or coming back to Bristol. I used the e-gates at Bristol, didn't even talk to anyone!

Thank you!