Entering UK on expired British passport?

[thaibeachlovers]

I have dual nationality, so no problem to enter UK on other passport, but wondering if I can enter on expired UK passport ( only by a few months ) to avoid the horrible queues at Heathrow?

I will only be in the UK for 3 months max.

Then, of course, I'd have to exit on that passport as well, so would that be a problem? As I understand it, a passport has to be valid to enter another country, not your own.

 

I don't want to go through the hassle of renewing the passport just for one trip.

 

Thanks for advice.

Edited January 19, 2017 by thaibeachlovers

[DipStick]

Difficult one, it is possible that when a passport expires, then it is flagged on the immigration database, meaning you could be stopped from entering, whatever the outcome, I think you would be looking at a fair amount of time at the immigration desk. Leaving Heathrow (?) I am guessing would be even more hazardous as you may have noticed that there is actually no immigration departure check, it is done by the airlines when you check in, and I am sure that won't be easy.

in my opinion, it makes sense to renew your passport whilst in the UK, and believe me it's not the hassle you make it out to be. Book an appointment online follow the requirements then turn up at the HMPO hand you docs and old passport over nip out for an hour and when you return it will be ready fir you.

[phetphet]

What makes you think there aren't horrible queues for UK passport holders as well? There are no longer UK passport holder desks. Only EU passport holder ones, so depending on what flights arrive at the same time as yours, you could still have horrible queues.

 

There are now some electronic gates where passports with chips and retina scans can pass more quickly, but even these are starting to be used more.

 

Might be better to enter on your other passport, and renew UK one while there.

Edited January 19, 2017 by phetphet

[KhunBENQ]

Fits better to the "Visas and migration to other countries" forum.

 

Moved.

 

 

[7by7]

Paragraph 12 of the immigration rules says

Quote

12. A person claiming to be a British citizen must prove that he has the right of abode in the United Kingdom by producing either:

1. (i) a United Kingdom passport describing him as a British citizen or as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies having the right of abode in the United Kingdom; or
2. (ii) a certificate of entitlement duly issued by or on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom certifying that he has the right of abode.

 

There is nothing there to say that if using a British passport it should still be valid.

 

However, whilst you may be able to enter the UK with an expired British passport, you cannot leave with it. So you would need to renew it while here.

 

You may also have problems with your airline checking in with an expired passport.

[thaibeachlovers]

20 hours ago, 7by7 said:

Paragraph 12 of the immigration rules says

 

There is nothing there to say that if using a British passport it should still be valid.

 

However, whilst you may be able to enter the UK with an expired British passport, you cannot leave with it. So you would need to renew it while here.

 

You may also have problems with your airline checking in with an expired passport.

I wouldn't be checking into the airline with an expired passport. I would be checking in with my valid passport that has a visa for Thailand.

I did it all the time for Thailand. Flew out of the UK on a British passport and arrived in LOS on my other one if it had the visa, and visa versa when going back to the UK.

 

What specifically is the reason I can't leave on an expired British passport?

 

Thanks to those that replied.

 

Actually, I have thought of a way to avoid those nasty queues at Heathrow. If I fly into Ireland ( was going to go there later, but no problem to go there first ) they won't have long queues and I can use my valid passport to enter on, then crossing to the UK by ferry won't be a problem either.

Seems like a plan.

Edited January 20, 2017 by thaibeachlovers

[theoldgit]

You can't leave the UK on an expired passport because it's no longer a valid travel document, and you would be refused entry at your destination so no carrier would board you.

You can enter the UK on an expired passport because you would be using as evidence that you're a British Citizen and as such have the right of abode in the UK, so whilst your passport might have expired to right of entry hasn't.

[Eff1n2ret]

42 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

Actually, I have thought of a way to avoid those nasty queues at Heathrow. If I fly into Ireland ( was going to go there later, but no problem to go there first ) they won't have long queues and I can use my valid passport to enter on, then crossing to the UK by ferry won't be a problem either.

Seems like a plan.

But an expired passport is not a valid passport, and you would arguably be in contravention of Ireland's Immigration Act 2004:-

11.—(1) Every person (other than a person under the age of 16 years) landing in the State shall be in possession of a valid passport or other equivalent document, issued by or on behalf of an authority recognised by the Government, which establishes his or her identity and nationality to the satisfaction of an immigration officer.

They might or might not let you in. The only way round that would be to embark from the UK, but you would then have had to endure those horrid queues at Heathrow to pass into the Common Travel Area.

 

Edit - but I suppose you meant your other passport, which presumably has a visa for Eire or doesn't require one?

Edited January 20, 2017 by Eff1n2ret

[7by7]

If you can't be arsed to renew your British passport while in the UK and your other passport allows visa free entry to both the RoI and UK; use that.

 

Even if it does mean queuing at immigration with the hoi polloi!

 

 

Edited January 20, 2017 by 7by7

[bobrussell]

The EU queue at Heathrow may have fewer desks but the questioning is usually quick and simple. 'Where have you flown from? How long have you been away?'

Non-EU passport queue has more desks but usually more rigorous (lengthier) questioning.

Often six of one, half a dozen of the other and you arrive to collect your luggage at a similar time in my recent experience.

[Jip99]

15 hours ago, theoldgit said:

You can't leave the UK on an expired passport because it's no longer a valid travel document, and you would be refused entry at your destination so no carrier would board you.

You can enter the UK on an expired passport because you would be using as evidence that you're a British Citizen and as such have the right of abode in the UK, so whilst your passport might have expired to right of entry hasn't.

 

 

Slight tangent but, ...... a friend's Thai based daughter has a British passport that needs renewing by July. They are traveling to the UK for a month in May.

 

If he applies for a standard renewal what happens if it takes longer than the stated 3 weeks and it is not back by the time of departure.

 

Can the daughter exit on her Thai passport?

[theoldgit]

It depends what passport she entered Thailand on.
If she entered on her Thai passport then that's the one she should clear Thai immigration with.
When she checks in for her departure she should show the staff her British passport to show that she has a right of entry into the UK, whilst the expired one is ok for this she might possibly have a problem with check in staff, if they're not aware of the rules.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[Jip99]

1 hour ago, theoldgit said:

It depends what passport she entered Thailand on.
If she entered on her Thai passport then that's the one she should clear Thai immigration with.
When she checks in for her departure she should show the staff her British passport to show that she has a right of entry into the UK, whilst the expired one is ok for this she might possibly have a problem with check in staff, if they're not aware of the rules.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

If this is a response to post #12, this is the daughters first trip outside Thailand so I guess clearing Thai immigration on the Thai passport is in order.

[LongTimeLurker]

On 1/19/2017 at 3:32 PM, phetphet said:

What makes you think there aren't horrible queues for UK passport holders as well? There are no longer UK passport holder desks. Only EU passport holder ones, so depending on what flights arrive at the same time as yours, you could still have horrible queues.

 

There are now some electronic gates where passports with chips and retina scans can pass more quickly, but even these are starting to be used more.

 

Might be better to enter on your other passport, and renew UK one while there.

Too true. Arriving in Manchester the EU queue is so long so I nip into the non-EU queue with the missus and we're through in minutes.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 1/21/2017 at 0:03 AM, 7by7 said:

If you can't be arsed to renew your British passport while in the UK and your other passport allows visa free entry to both the RoI and UK; use that.

 

Even if it does mean queuing at immigration with the hoi polloi!

 

 

If you don't want to answer the question, why do you bother to reply with your negativity at full force?

[thaibeachlovers]

On 1/20/2017 at 11:16 PM, Eff1n2ret said:

But an expired passport is not a valid passport, and you would arguably be in contravention of Ireland's Immigration Act 2004:-

11.—(1) Every person (other than a person under the age of 16 years) landing in the State shall be in possession of a valid passport or other equivalent document, issued by or on behalf of an authority recognised by the Government, which establishes his or her identity and nationality to the satisfaction of an immigration officer.

They might or might not let you in. The only way round that would be to embark from the UK, but you would then have had to endure those horrid queues at Heathrow to pass into the Common Travel Area.

 

Edit - but I suppose you meant your other passport, which presumably has a visa for Eire or doesn't require one?

I thought it would be obvious from what I wrote that I'd be using my valid passport, not the expired UK one to enter Ireland, so yes.

[7by7]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

On ‎20‎/‎01‎/‎2017 at 11:03 AM, 7by7 said:

If you can't be arsed to renew your British passport while in the UK and your other passport allows visa free entry to both the RoI and UK; use that.

 

Even if it does mean queuing at immigration with the hoi polloi!

If you don't want to answer the question, why do you bother to reply with your negativity at full force?

 I did answer the question;

 

On ‎19‎/‎01‎/‎2017 at 1:25 PM, 7by7 said:

Paragraph 12 of the immigration rules says

Quote

12. A person claiming to be a British citizen must prove that he has the right of abode in the United Kingdom by producing either:

1. (i) a United Kingdom passport describing him as a British citizen or as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies having the right of abode in the United Kingdom; or
2. (ii) a certificate of entitlement duly issued by or on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom certifying that he has the right of abode.

 

There is nothing there to say that if using a British passport it should still be valid.

 

However, whilst you may be able to enter the UK with an expired British passport, you cannot leave with it. So you would need to renew it while here.

 

You may also have problems with your airline checking in with an expired passport.

You didn't like that answer, and others saying the same, because it meant you would have to renew your British passport whilst in the UK and can't be arsed to do so and don't want to use your other passport as it would mean having to queue.

 

[bobrussell]

Not sure why there is antagonism towards the posts.

A British passport, even out of date, should get someone into the UK. Airlines are 'conservative' in their approach and may not accept someone onto a flight to the UK if there is uncertainty as to admission at the UK end. Airlines face costly penalties so may use 'if in doubt don't'!

An expired British passport is unlikely to be accepted by airline or destination country as it is no longer a valid travel document. Many countries require six months or more validity. Irrelevant if you are using a valid passport from another country.

If in doubt and if you want to use it for travel, get it renewed at limited cost and inconvenience before travel or on arrival in the UK.

[theoldgit]

The question has been answered, the OP can follow the advice given, or not.

 

The topic is now closed.