UK - entering UK on Thai passport while waiting for British one

[Bukseeda]

HI all

My wife has got to the point she's successfully applied for British Citizenship. We were surprised when they turned the application around in 3 weeks (we expected to wait much longer) but an unfortunate side effect is that it's possibly thrown our travel plans into disarray.

The earliest we can do the citizenship ceremony is October 7th. However, we are travelling to Thailand 2 weeks later. As such, we won't be able to get a British passport in time.

My question therefore is: can she re enter the UK with her Thai passport, her ILR visa (which she's currently on), and with her citizenship certificate? Or do we have to wait until she has a British passport (i assume her ILR becomes invalid as soon as she becomes a citizen)?

[7by7]

Not something I've come across before, and I can find nothing official; but:

As far as I am aware her ILR is not invalid because she is now a British citizen and so there is no reason why she cannot use her Thai passport and ILR to leave and then re enter the UK.

She can then apply for her British passport upon your return.

But if unsure, it may be possible to arrange a private ceremony; you should contact your local authority about that and there will almost certainly be an additional fee.

Even then, it can take up to 6 weeks for a first time adult passport application to be processed so she may not have her British passport in time.

[Richard W]

As far as I am aware her ILR is not invalid because she is now a British citizen and so there is no reason why she cannot use her Thai passport and ILR to leave and then re enter the UK.

I've seen a statement that ILR becomes invalid upon naturalisation. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a clear statement anywhere today, and it's not impossible that it was merely some minister's utterance.

I'm pretty sure that the only document (apart from a certificate of right of abode) that gives one the right to enter the UK as a British citizen is a British passport, albeit expired.

[7by7]

I'm pretty sure that the only document (apart from a certificate of right of abode) that gives one the right to enter the UK as a British citizen is a British passport, albeit expired.

Indeed, that is my belief also.

But the question here is can she still use her Thai passport and ILR to enter as a Thai citizen even though she is now a British citizen as well.

As said, I can find nothing official, and a search of various immigration forums produces about a 50/50 split on whether ILR is still valid after naturalisation or not.

Perhaps the best thing to do, Bukseeda, is contact The Home Office and ask.

Email:

[email protected]

[Jay Sata]

My question therefore is: can she re enter the UK with her Thai passport, her ILR visa (which she's currently on), and with her citizenship certificate? Or do we have to wait until she has a British passport (i assume her ILR becomes invalid as soon as she becomes a citizen)?

In my opinion she is either entitled to enter on the Thai passport with ILR, or if that's no good, because she is now a British citizen she cannot be refused entry. Her citizenship certificate is as good as a passport.

Whichever way you look at it she won't have a problem.

Congrat's by the way. No more hassle every time you want to go somewhere.

Edited August 11, 2013 by Jay Sata

[ishouldknow]

All of the above anwers are guesses at best.

A passport is a document to enter OTHER countries, not your home country (UK in this case). ANY document that can prove your ID and your legal right to be in the UK is sufficent. As an example, inter EU travel can be done on simple ID cards!

The British citizenship document is MORE than enough! Providing you can back up such with sufficent photo and other proof of who you (the person entering - your wife) are etc. Although I am sure that entry will probably be "slightly" delayed to verify ABC.

Contact any British embassy to have this confirmed. If you really feel the urge, emergency travel documents can be issued by any British embassy on top of what you alread have. Also, no visa is required.

As for airlines and trainee checkin assistants... that is another matter!

Edited August 12, 2013 by ishouldknow

[bobrussell]

A side-step and not on topic but we are off to Switzerland for a holiday. My wife now has a British Passport and while going through the BA website found:

Identification on flights between the UK and Republic of Ireland

If you are a citizen of the UK or Republic of Ireland who was born in that country you do not need a passport to travel between the two countries but you do require some form of photographic identification, such as a driving licence.

All other travellers require a valid passport to travel between the two countries.

Suggests that to go to Ireland anyone not born in the UK or Ireland needs a passport including my wife and daughter! Strangely quirky!!

I would tend to agree that any proof of identity and British Citizenship will allow entry to the UK. I doubt check-in will be a problem as long as the Thai passport is in date and there is a valid visa.

[Arkady]

I don't see how they can deny entry to a British citizen without a British passport.

Glad that the UK can turn around a citizenship application in 3 weeks. The Thai government been sitting on my citizenship application for three years and still no sign of them turning it around. Perhaps the UK should start insisting on some reciprococity.

[samran]

FWIW, I have a good friend -australian - (am godfather to one of his kids) who naturalised as a Brit last year. After he got his brit citizenship he continued to enter the UK for a period with his ILR and OZ passport given he was a frequent traveller for work.