The best way to change from an Oz passport to a UK passport and back again
Mar 1st 2014, 5:13 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Darwin, Australia
Posts: 97
The best way to change from an Oz passport to a UK passport and back again
Hi
In short, I am a UK citizen applying for Oz citizenship next week.
I am looking at possibly visiting the UK sometime in 2015 and am confused about how to leave & return to Oz on an Oz passport but be able to enter & leave the UK on my UK passport.
What I am struggling to figure out is, in what country should one change from their Oz to their UK passport and then back to their Oz passport?
And how to make sure airlines get the relevant passport details for the relevant flights, including making sure the relevant immigration authorities correctly know your whereabouts.
For instance, lets say I fly from Darwin to Singapore on an Oz passport.
The Singapore authorities then record on their immigration system that I have arrived on say, Oz passport number 12345678, on say January 1st, 2015.
I then leave Singapore on say January 2nd, 2015 (for a flight to the UK) on my UK passport, say UK passport number 87654321.
I see 2 problems with this:
1. Upon departure on January 2nd, 2015 the Singapore immigration officials may grill me extensively on why I don't have a stamp in my UK passport showing when I arrived into Singapore. They may also be angry that my UK passport isn't even showing up on their system. Could they assume that I have sneaked into Singapore illegally?
2. The 2nd fear I have is that if I ever return to Singapore on my Oz passport (12345678) I may be arrested for overstaying my welcome (because there would be no evidence on their system that I departed Singapore after my visit on 1st January, 2015 as I departed Singapore on my UK passport - which may result in a fine and a lengthy stay in a Singapore jail?
I noticed from your post that you did this but it doesn't say how you did it.
Hope you can advize.
Kind Regards,
Gary
In short, I am a UK citizen applying for Oz citizenship next week.
I am looking at possibly visiting the UK sometime in 2015 and am confused about how to leave & return to Oz on an Oz passport but be able to enter & leave the UK on my UK passport.
What I am struggling to figure out is, in what country should one change from their Oz to their UK passport and then back to their Oz passport?
And how to make sure airlines get the relevant passport details for the relevant flights, including making sure the relevant immigration authorities correctly know your whereabouts.
For instance, lets say I fly from Darwin to Singapore on an Oz passport.
The Singapore authorities then record on their immigration system that I have arrived on say, Oz passport number 12345678, on say January 1st, 2015.
I then leave Singapore on say January 2nd, 2015 (for a flight to the UK) on my UK passport, say UK passport number 87654321.
I see 2 problems with this:
1. Upon departure on January 2nd, 2015 the Singapore immigration officials may grill me extensively on why I don't have a stamp in my UK passport showing when I arrived into Singapore. They may also be angry that my UK passport isn't even showing up on their system. Could they assume that I have sneaked into Singapore illegally?
2. The 2nd fear I have is that if I ever return to Singapore on my Oz passport (12345678) I may be arrested for overstaying my welcome (because there would be no evidence on their system that I departed Singapore after my visit on 1st January, 2015 as I departed Singapore on my UK passport - which may result in a fine and a lengthy stay in a Singapore jail?
I noticed from your post that you did this but it doesn't say how you did it.
Hope you can advize.
Kind Regards,
Gary
Last edited by old.sparkles; Mar 1st 2014 at 5:37 am. Reason: edited due to post moved
Mar 1st 2014, 5:20 am
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 14,284
Re: British citizen applying for Australian citizenship
Hi Caroline,
I just read your post.
In short, I am a UK citizen applying for Oz citizenship next week.
I am looking at possibly visiting the UK sometime in 2015 and am confused about how to leave & return to Oz on an Oz passport but be able to enter & leave the UK on my UK passport.
What I am struggling to figure out is, in what country should one change from their Oz to their UK passport and then back to their Oz passport?
And how to make sure airlines get the relevant passport details for the relevant flights, including making sure the relevant immigration authorities correctly know your whereabouts.
For instance, lets say I fly from Darwin to Singapore on an Oz passport.
The Singapore authorities then record on their immigration system that I have arrived on say, Oz passport number 12345678, on say January 1st, 2015.
I then leave Singapore on say January 2nd, 2015 (for a flight to the UK) on my UK passport, say UK passport number 87654321.
I see 2 problems with this:
1. Upon departure on January 2nd, 2015 the Singapore immigration officials may grill me extensively on why I don't have a stamp in my UK passport showing when I arrived into Singapore. They may also be angry that my UK passport isn't even showing up on their system. Could they assume that I have sneaked into Singapore illegally?
2. The 2nd fear I have is that if I ever return to Singapore on my Oz passport (12345678) I may be arrested for overstaying my welcome (because there would be no evidence on their system that I departed Singapore after my visit on 1st January, 2015 as I departed Singapore on my UK passport - which may result in a fine and a lengthy stay in a Singapore jail?
I noticed from your post that you did this but it doesn't say how you did it.
Hope you can advize.
Kind Regards,
Gary
I just read your post.
In short, I am a UK citizen applying for Oz citizenship next week.
I am looking at possibly visiting the UK sometime in 2015 and am confused about how to leave & return to Oz on an Oz passport but be able to enter & leave the UK on my UK passport.
What I am struggling to figure out is, in what country should one change from their Oz to their UK passport and then back to their Oz passport?
And how to make sure airlines get the relevant passport details for the relevant flights, including making sure the relevant immigration authorities correctly know your whereabouts.
For instance, lets say I fly from Darwin to Singapore on an Oz passport.
The Singapore authorities then record on their immigration system that I have arrived on say, Oz passport number 12345678, on say January 1st, 2015.
I then leave Singapore on say January 2nd, 2015 (for a flight to the UK) on my UK passport, say UK passport number 87654321.
I see 2 problems with this:
1. Upon departure on January 2nd, 2015 the Singapore immigration officials may grill me extensively on why I don't have a stamp in my UK passport showing when I arrived into Singapore. They may also be angry that my UK passport isn't even showing up on their system. Could they assume that I have sneaked into Singapore illegally?
2. The 2nd fear I have is that if I ever return to Singapore on my Oz passport (12345678) I may be arrested for overstaying my welcome (because there would be no evidence on their system that I departed Singapore after my visit on 1st January, 2015 as I departed Singapore on my UK passport - which may result in a fine and a lengthy stay in a Singapore jail?
I noticed from your post that you did this but it doesn't say how you did it.
Hope you can advize.
Kind Regards,
Gary
If I were doing the trip as a citizen, I would use my Aussie passport, but if there were a long queue in UK, I would whip out my British passport and go through that queue.
I have made two trips to UK and making another shortly, I have never provided my passport details when purchasing a ticket.
There is nothing to worry about here.
Mar 1st 2014, 5:20 am
#3
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,809
Re: British citizen applying for Australian citizenship
Hi Caroline,
I just read your post.
In short, I am a UK citizen applying for Oz citizenship next week.
I am looking at possibly visiting the UK sometime in 2015 and am confused about how to leave & return to Oz on an Oz passport but be able to enter & leave the UK on my UK passport.
What I am struggling to figure out is, in what country should one change from their Oz to their UK passport and then back to their Oz passport?
And how to make sure airlines get the relevant passport details for the relevant flights, including making sure the relevant immigration authorities correctly know your whereabouts.
For instance, lets say I fly from Darwin to Singapore on an Oz passport.
The Singapore authorities then record on their immigration system that I have arrived on say, Oz passport number 12345678, on say January 1st, 2015.
I then leave Singapore on say January 2nd, 2015 (for a flight to the UK) on my UK passport, say UK passport number 87654321.
I see 2 problems with this:
1. Upon departure on January 2nd, 2015 the Singapore immigration officials may grill me extensively on why I don't have a stamp in my UK passport showing when I arrived into Singapore. They may also be angry that my UK passport isn't even showing up on their system. Could they assume that I have sneaked into Singapore illegally?
2. The 2nd fear I have is that if I ever return to Singapore on my Oz passport (12345678) I may be arrested for overstaying my welcome (because there would be no evidence on their system that I departed Singapore after my visit on 1st January, 2015 as I departed Singapore on my UK passport - which may result in a fine and a lengthy stay in a Singapore jail?
I noticed from your post that you did this but it doesn't say how you did it.
Hope you can advize.
Kind Regards,
Gary
I just read your post.
In short, I am a UK citizen applying for Oz citizenship next week.
I am looking at possibly visiting the UK sometime in 2015 and am confused about how to leave & return to Oz on an Oz passport but be able to enter & leave the UK on my UK passport.
What I am struggling to figure out is, in what country should one change from their Oz to their UK passport and then back to their Oz passport?
And how to make sure airlines get the relevant passport details for the relevant flights, including making sure the relevant immigration authorities correctly know your whereabouts.
For instance, lets say I fly from Darwin to Singapore on an Oz passport.
The Singapore authorities then record on their immigration system that I have arrived on say, Oz passport number 12345678, on say January 1st, 2015.
I then leave Singapore on say January 2nd, 2015 (for a flight to the UK) on my UK passport, say UK passport number 87654321.
I see 2 problems with this:
1. Upon departure on January 2nd, 2015 the Singapore immigration officials may grill me extensively on why I don't have a stamp in my UK passport showing when I arrived into Singapore. They may also be angry that my UK passport isn't even showing up on their system. Could they assume that I have sneaked into Singapore illegally?
2. The 2nd fear I have is that if I ever return to Singapore on my Oz passport (12345678) I may be arrested for overstaying my welcome (because there would be no evidence on their system that I departed Singapore after my visit on 1st January, 2015 as I departed Singapore on my UK passport - which may result in a fine and a lengthy stay in a Singapore jail?
I noticed from your post that you did this but it doesn't say how you did it.
Hope you can advize.
Kind Regards,
Gary
Leave aus - show Aus passport
SIN - it doesn't matter which passport you use as long as it allows you entry to the UK - so either your UK one or the Aus one if just holidaying. Singapore are just interested in the fact that they cannot let you board a plane unless you have a passport/visa allowing you entry to the country at the other end - the UK
Unless you do a stopover in SIN and actually enter the country they will not stamp your passport anyway. I have been through SIN 27 times (i think!) and not one stamp.
Arrive UK - show your UK passport - saves questions about how long you are there for, is it a holiday etc
Check in to leave UK - show Aus passport - you cannot enter Aus with an expired visa so you need your Aus passport
Leave the UK showing your Uk passport at Immigration Control
SIN - use your Aus passport when heading to aus - it shows you have the right to enter Aus
Aus - enter using your Aus passport.
Singapore - like many other countries- are used to travellers in transit, they will not arrest you, they will know exactly what the issues are. The just need proof the country you Are heading for will accept you.
Mar 1st 2014, 7:55 am
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Darwin, Australia
Posts: 97
Re: The best way to change from an Oz passport to a UK passport and back again
Hi Pollyana,
Thanks for replying to my post.
You raise an interesting distinction, namely the difference between the Airline Check in point & the people that man this point versus the Immigration Control point and the people that man this point.
They are obviously very different sets of people with very different sets of information requirements and different priorities.
I never thought of separating the two groups before.
Kind Regards,
Gary
Thanks for replying to my post.
You raise an interesting distinction, namely the difference between the Airline Check in point & the people that man this point versus the Immigration Control point and the people that man this point.
They are obviously very different sets of people with very different sets of information requirements and different priorities.
I never thought of separating the two groups before.
Kind Regards,
Gary
Mar 1st 2014, 9:45 am
#5
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,192
Re: The best way to change from an Oz passport to a UK passport and back again
Use your Australian passport for all parts of your journey except when you reach the UK Border at which point join the EU queue and show your British passport. If in doubt at any stage show both passports.
Mar 13th 2014, 1:42 pm
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2012
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 24
Re: The best way to change from an Oz passport to a UK passport and back again
You'll find that countries which you are a citizen of, and have a passport from, prefer you to show their own national passports on entry.
I know the Australian gov't prefers you to show your Australian passport on entry into Australia, and I'd imagine the same to be true of the U.K.
I show both of my passports at each end and the immigration boys and girls can take their pick which colour they like that day. Invariably, it's their own.
I know the Australian gov't prefers you to show your Australian passport on entry into Australia, and I'd imagine the same to be true of the U.K.
I show both of my passports at each end and the immigration boys and girls can take their pick which colour they like that day. Invariably, it's their own.
Mar 13th 2014, 2:43 pm
#7
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,809
Re: The best way to change from an Oz passport to a UK passport and back again
You'll find that countries which you are a citizen of, and have a passport from, prefer you to show their own national passports on entry.
I know the Australian gov't prefers you to show your Australian passport on entry into Australia, and I'd imagine the same to be true of the U.K.
I show both of my passports at each end and the immigration boys and girls can take their pick which colour they like that day. Invariably, it's their own.
I know the Australian gov't prefers you to show your Australian passport on entry into Australia, and I'd imagine the same to be true of the U.K.
I show both of my passports at each end and the immigration boys and girls can take their pick which colour they like that day. Invariably, it's their own.
Australia does. Like the USA they insist that you enter and leave on the passport of that country.
Showing both can confuse the staff, they don't need both.
Mar 13th 2014, 7:02 pm
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 14,284
Re: The best way to change from an Oz passport to a UK passport and back again
You'll find that countries which you are a citizen of, and have a passport from, prefer you to show their own national passports on entry.
I know the Australian gov't prefers you to show your Australian passport on entry into Australia, and I'd imagine the same to be true of the U.K.
I show both of my passports at each end and the immigration boys and girls can take their pick which colour they like that day. Invariably, it's their own.
I know the Australian gov't prefers you to show your Australian passport on entry into Australia, and I'd imagine the same to be true of the U.K.
I show both of my passports at each end and the immigration boys and girls can take their pick which colour they like that day. Invariably, it's their own.
Mar 15th 2014, 5:48 pm
#9
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: The best way to change from an Oz passport to a UK passport and back again
I think you'll find that there's no mandate in the sense of a legal obligation with penalties for non-compliance. It's more a de-facto consequence of Australia's universal visa regime. Australian citizens cannot get an Australian visa, which normally then requires that an Australian passport be used as a travel document for Australia.
However, for example, an Australian citizen with a New Zealand passport (for example), could normally work-around this issue. And then there are the cases where someone has an Australian Declaratory Visa.
The idea that Australia has a "mandate" for Australian citizens to use an Australian passport, in the sense of the criminal law, has become forum myth. It's just not true. That said, in 95%+ of cases, an Australian citizen effectively has to use an Australian passport.
