Page 1 of 1

Is it possible to travel While Waiting for First UK Passport?

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2025 11:44 am
by crosvenor1234
I’m attending my UK citizenship ceremony next Wednesday, and I plan to apply for my first UK passport right after receiving my citizenship certificate. However, I need to travel back to home country for 2.5 months around mid-April (in about a month).

I have 2 foreign passports. Both passports allow me to travel to the UK as visitor for 6 months without visa
I can get on the flight withotut visa checking

Here are my questions:

1. Do I need to submit both of my foreign passports when applying for my first UK passport?
2. Is it possible to travel while my UK passport application is being processed? For example, if I submit a photocopy of one of my foreign passports instead of the original, can I still use that passport for travel?
3. If I must provide both foreign passports, can I choose not to apply for the UK passport now and instead travel using my foreign passport and UK citizenship certificate when I return? Would I be able to re-enter the UK that way?

Mnay thanks

Re: Is it possible to travel While Waiting for First UK Passport?

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2025 11:51 am
by contorted_svy
crosvenor1234 wrote:
Sat Mar 15, 2025 11:44 am
I’m attending my UK citizenship ceremony next Wednesday, and I plan to apply for my first UK passport right after receiving my citizenship certificate. However, I need to travel back to home country for 2.5 months around mid-April (in about a month).

I have 2 foreign passports. Both passports allow me to travel to the UK as visitor for 6 months without visa
I can get on the flight withotut visa checking

Here are my questions:

1. Do I need to submit both of my foreign passports when applying for my first UK passport? Yes
2. Is it possible to travel while my UK passport application is being processed? For example, if I submit a photocopy of one of my foreign passports instead of the original, can I still use that passport for travel? No
3. If I must provide both foreign passports, can I choose not to apply for the UK passport now and instead travel using my foreign passport and UK citizenship certificate when I return? Would I be able to re-enter the UK that way? You could, but best not risk it. The main issue would be boarding the flight, border control may pester you but you have a right to enter the UK as a British citizen.

Mnay thanks
If you apply next week you will have plenty of time to get all your passports back by mid April. Standard processing times are 3 weeks. I would recommend you apply straight away, send all your foreign passports in original, and by the end of March likely you will have all your documents sorted.

Re: Is it possible to travel While Waiting for First UK Passport?

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2025 9:50 pm
by crosvenor1234
Thank you so much! You mentioned it will be tricky to board the flight, is it because of ETA? Thanks!

Re: Is it possible to travel While Waiting for First UK Passport?

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2025 9:56 pm
by contorted_svy
Yes. You can't get an ETA once you become British. I suggest you apply for your UK passport next week, you will most likely get it by the time you are due to leave.

Re: Is it possible to travel While Waiting for First UK Passport?

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2025 11:03 pm
by crosvenor1234
Thank you!

Re: Is it possible to travel While Waiting for First UK Passport?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2025 6:34 pm
by missmarch
If you need to retain your original passport for travel purposes, you can send a colour photocopy of the passport along with a cover letter explaining your reasons. It was accepted when I did it.