Immigrationboards.com

Hello,

I have received my invitation for the citizenship ceremony, but I have upcoming travel plans for at least four months. I would like to clarify whether I should attend the ceremony first, then send my certificate and passport to my family in the UK so they can apply for my first British passport on my behalf and return both passports to me.

I couldn’t find any specific requirement stating that I must be physically present in the UK while applying for my first passport. However, I am concerned about the possibility of an identity interview being required and whether my absence from the UK might raise any issues.

Could anyone please advise on the best course of action in this situation?

Many thanks!

Did you obtain citizenship under Section 6(1) or 6(2)?

If you obtained it under Section 6(1) you absolutely should not apply for your first passport while abroad as this could call your future intentions into question - forum members have reported this as an issue that could have cost them their UK citizenship. Can you ask the council to have a private ceremony ASAP and get your UK passport before you leave?

If you obtained it under Section 6(2) you would be OK with just applying for your first British passport from abroad as this route does not have the future intentions requirement. in this case though I think you need to send your documents yourself from abroad and wait to receive them there rather than posting them to your family in the UK as you will be asked if you are in the UK or not at the time of application. If the answer is No I imagine they would expect your documents shipped from your address abroad rather than a UK one.

Thanks @contorted_svy, I did obtained it under Section 6(1). I'm able to schedule a private ceremony before I left, but won't have time to get the british passport. Therefore I would like to see if it's possible to apply from UK immediately after the ceremony, go on my trip and post my passport back, them post my passport for the British passport application and then post both back to me.

I would say this is a risky approach. If HMPO check with the border office and find out this would call your good character into question. It is never advisable to lie in one of these application and declare you are in the UK when you aren't. How long do you have between your ceremony and the day you have to leave? Could you maybe postpone your trip by just a week or two?