Travel on foreign passport after ceremony?

[Irenejg]

I just received notification that my application for citizenship was approved. Now I need to schedule the ceremony, and I want to make sure I time it right given some upcoming travel plans. I see three options:


1. Ceremony ASAP, travel on foreign passport
2. Ceremony ASAP, apply for and travel on British passport
3. Ceremony after travel but within 90 days

Obviously option 3 is the safest, but after many years and many ££, I just want to get things tied up right away. Rationally I know at this stage nothing can go wrong and waiting is fine, but there's a part of me that still worries.

Option 2, getting a British passport before travel, feels like too much of a gamble. My first trip is less than 10 weeks away, and even though the timeline says lots of people are getting their passports more quickly, it seems like an unnecessary risk.

So, is option 1 even an option? Previous threads I've read suggest the reason this is best avoided is that one might be denied boarding/denied entry. I'd be travelling on a New Zealand passport and have enough travel stacked that airline agents can be convinced I won't "overstay" the normal 6-month limit. Presumably Border Force would be able to see that I'm a citizen even if I'm travelling on a foreign passport?

TLDR, can I travel to/enter the UK on my foreign passport after my ceremony, before I've applied for my British passport?

[meself2]

theoretically yes, if your passport allows visa free entry to UK - Stupid will be fine with it and on the border you can show your registration certificate and explain the situation - afaik they can't not let British citizen in. However, wouldn't advise to hassle too much.
I know your feeling, get things done and dusted after a long wait, but if you have time to spare, err on the side of caution.

[Ticktack]

I just received notification that my application for citizenship was approved. Now I need to schedule the ceremony, and I want to make sure I time it right given some upcoming travel plans. I see three options:


1. Ceremony ASAP, travel on foreign passport
2. Ceremony ASAP, apply for and travel on British passport
3. Ceremony after travel but within 90 days

Obviously option 3 is the safest, but after many years and many ££, I just want to get things tied up right away. Rationally I know at this stage nothing can go wrong and waiting is fine, but there's a part of me that still worries.

Option 2, getting a British passport before travel, feels like too much of a gamble. My first trip is less than 10 weeks away, and even though the timeline says lots of people are getting their passports more quickly, it seems like an unnecessary risk.

So, is option 1 even an option? Previous threads I've read suggest the reason this is best avoided is that one might be denied boarding/denied entry. I'd be travelling on a New Zealand passport and have enough travel stacked that airline agents can be convinced I won't "overstay" the normal 6-month limit. Presumably Border Force would be able to see that I'm a citizen even if I'm travelling on a foreign passport?

TLDR, can I travel to/enter the UK on my foreign passport after my ceremony, before I've applied for my British passport?

Your fears I understand. All the options are safe for you. Even the dreaded option 1. Kiwi's are safe.

[alterhase58]

UK Border Force may or may not see your UK citizen status on their system - all depends how fast and accurate their updates are.
If you have your certificate you can show that as proof to UK Border Force - as was mentioned already, a British citizen has an absolute right of abode in the UK and cannot be refused entry, even without a British passport. It could just mean a bit of extra hassle at the border. Many dual citizens have taken this approach over the past few months, with all the HMPO delays.

[inzogbiya]

Just my own experience.

My son was born in Canada and we entered the UK when he was 3 months old on his Canadian passport.

I carried my naturalisation certificate and my son’s Canadian birth certificate as evidence that he’s British.

The border officer inspected all documents and let us through although she had to call her superior for approval. She said to apply for his British passport asap, which we did.