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Hi there,

I just had my British citizenship ceremony on the 7th of August.
With that, I received the worrying news my mum has been admitted to hospital back home (BRAZIL)

I need urgently to travel but I do NOT hold my UK passport yet. NOR have time to apply for one or rights of abode.

Brazil is a visa free country so I do not need a visa to enter the UK.

As I know my citizenship certificate is not a travel document, What are my options when I arrive back in the UK?

Please please I really appreciate your help.

Mandokinha2701 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 10, 2022 9:49 am

Hi there,

I just had my British citizenship ceremony on the 7th of August.
With that, I received the worrying news my mum has been admitted to hospital back home (BRAZIL)

I need urgently to travel but I do NOT hold my UK passport yet. NOR have time to apply for one or rights of abode.

Brazil is a visa free country so I do not need a visa to enter the UK.

As I know my citizenship certificate is not a travel document, What are my options when I arrive back in the UK?

Please please I really appreciate your help.

As your country allows you to enter the UK without a visa. Then you can travel and come back as normal. Not sure your passport allows you to use the e-gate, so you would need to face an immigration officer when you come back. Explain that you had no choice but to travel immediately at the time. Show him you naturalisation certificate, and he would let you in. He might not like it, but he would let you in. You have Right of Abode in the UK.

Thank you.

Sounds like I’ll be asked a lot of questions…

They can’t hold me there for any reason can they? I’ll only have the citizenship certificate with me so hopefully they can have access to all they need from it?


But honestly, thank you so much for you quick answer.

It’s a relief already!

Mandokinha2701 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 10, 2022 12:26 pm

They can’t hold me there for any reason can they?

Unless your name is flagged for some reason they can only delay you.
They may ask you some questions but if you explain you are British (with certificate) but didn't have time to obtain a British passport (a common scenario these days) then they will probably find you on their system or consult with their managers. UK Border Force officers can be jovial, abrassive or intimidating, but they have a job to do ....

I’ll only have the citizenship certificate with me so hopefully they can have access to all they need from it?

I have seen reports that they could find the person immediately even before any explanation ....

Hope all goes well, please feed back your experience.

Just quick update on this…

Turned up to the border officer and presented my foreign passport and the certificate explaining the situation and he said
“Because you have this ( pointed at the naturalisation certificate) you can go”
And off I went.
No trouble

Mandokinha2701 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 10, 2022 10:35 pm

Just quick update on this…

Turned up to the border officer and presented my foreign passport and the certificate explaining the situation and he said
“Because you have this ( pointed at the naturalisation certificate) you can go”
And off I went.
No trouble

As expected!

I'm pleased it went well without much delay.
After all, the Sovereign and his Secretary of State for the Home Department require that the holder (of a British passport) be let to pass without hindrance .... not a verbatim quote! The certificate is of course absolute proof of citizenship.