First British Passport Application from Outside UK

[aviandravi]

Hello,

I hold an Indian passport and currently holding an ILR. I also applied for naturalization and received an invitation for a ceremony in May 2024.

I have a medical situation for my parent in India, which requires me to be there for 6-8 months starting from May.

My question is:

a) Is it possible for me to travel to India in May once I receive my naturalisation letter? I will then apply for British Citizenship, Surrender of Indian Passport and OCI application from India itself?

b)How long does the process take if I apply for British Passport from India (to receive the passport)?

c) Does the passport process from outside of UK differ from applying from within UK? Are the documents to be submitted the same?

Thanks
Ravi

[contorted_svy]

Did you apply as spouse of a British citizen? If this is not the case, it is strongly advised that you do not apply for your first British passport outside of the country as it will bring your future intentions to stay in the UK in question. Could you ask the council to have an earlier ceremony, maybe a private one, and apply for British passport before you leave for India? Note that surrendering of Indian passport doesn't come under British law so you will need to make your decision based on Indian legislation.

[secret.simon]

Also see this thread for what you could be risking.

[aviandravi]

Thank you for your advice. It made me understand the gravity of the decision and its potential consequences.

One additional information I would like to provide is that my spouse is a British citizen, though since his passport was also recently issued, I applied independently rather than as a spouse of a British citizen.

a) I am now inclined to immediately apply for a British passport post my ceremony. Could you advise the typical timelines by when the passport will be delivered? Is there a priority route/ service?

b) With the additional information that my spouse is a British citizen, will the risk reduce if I apply for my first British passport from India? Or will it still be risky, and could go either way, depending on how the Immigration Officer views at the case?

[CR001]

a) I am now inclined to immediately apply for a British passport post my ceremony. Could you advise the typical timelines by when the passport will be delivered? Is there a priority route/ service?

See the timeline thread link below, it varies between a few days to a few weeks. There is no priority option for first adult passport.

british-citizenship/british-passport-ap ... -9425.html

b) With the additional information that my spouse is a British citizen, will the risk reduce if I apply for my first British passport from India? Or will it still be risky, and could go either way, depending on how the Immigration Officer views at the case?

I would strongly suggest you apply before you travel. Passports from India can take up to 6 months to a year sometimes.

[contorted_svy]

Thank you for your advice. It made me understand the gravity of the decision and its potential consequences.

One additional information I would like to provide is that my spouse is a British citizen, though since his passport was also recently issued, I applied independently rather than as a spouse of a British citizen.

a) I am now inclined to immediately apply for a British passport post my ceremony. Could you advise the typical timelines by when the passport will be delivered? Is there a priority route/ service?

b) With the additional information that my spouse is a British citizen, will the risk reduce if I apply for my first British passport from India? Or will it still be risky, and could go either way, depending on how the Immigration Officer views at the case?

No, it won't reduce risk because you applied in your own right under Section 6(1), so one of your requirements was to have future intention to stay in the UK. I strongly advise you ask for an earlier ceremony and apply for British passport immediately after.