vetnurse1

Does anyone know, or know where I can find out if we will be allowed entry into the UK for good if we use our NZ passports? We are obviously still British citizens but our UK passportsd ran out while we were here. We have citizensip and NZ passports instead. Will this be a problem that our UK passports have expired? Or will we have to apply for our UK passports as well?
Thanks in advance.

Jerseygirl

There have been lots of threads on this subject...if you use the search function you should be able to find them. Ideally if you wish to enter the UK as a UK resident you should use a valid UK passport.

SanDiegogirl

Do you have your expired UK passports? If so then take them with you.

When you present your NZ passports you will receive a 6 month visitor stamp in them - although you say you are British citizens how does the Immigration Officer know that? If you show your expired British passports he/she will inform you to get your British passports asap, within the 6 months visitor stamp.

If you have no proof of your British citizenship then expect further questioning.

vetnurse1

Yes we do. Thank you, that seems like a good solution. I was just worried we might get to the border and be refused entry if we only have a one way flight. Perhaps it would be better (and not much more expensive) to book a return flight.
Thanks for your help!

SanDiegogirl

Your British passports are your proof that you are British citizens. While the Immigration Official is still likely to interrogate you to some extent, there is little likely hood that you will be turned away.

For additional proof you should carry your birth certificates.

Jerseygirl

Check with the airline that they will board you using a one way ticket when your UK PP has expired.

not2old

if you have the time I would suggest that you renew your British passports

BritInParis

How long ago did your passports expire?

vetnurse1

Mine doesnt expire until November 2014, husbands expired July 2012.

BritInParis

Whilst it's always a good idea to travel on a valid British passport to the UK a passport that has expired that recently shouldn't prevent you from re-entering the UK but you are likely to held up at the border. Personally speaking I would renew before I left if I had the time.

vetnurse1

Thanks for the advice. It's not the time factor it's the expense, not cheap to renew from here and we have just paid for our citizenship here so I was hoping the NZ passports which are much quicker and cheaper to obtain would be OK.

BritInParis

Considering how expensive a move back to the UK must be personally I would be paying the extra £100 or so for the peace of mind. Up to you however.

vetnurse1

Hm. For the three of us it'll total just over $1000 Thats quite a bit for us as we have just shelled out $1500 for NZ citizenship. But yes I think for peace of mind we may have to do it. Perhaps I could get some advice from UK Border agency or similar to be on the safe side.

not2old

if the following helps any - from another thread on BE a response to a similar question that came from the British Consul in Washington

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...8&postcount=64

also look at post 24 on page 2 in the thread

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...=642808&page=2

vetnurse1

That's really helpful not2old, thanks for finding those. Sounds like we should be ok provided we take those expired passports and birth certificates with us. The post with the phone numbers was a good find, will give them a call before we make firm plans to return.
Thanks again everyone for your help and advice, much appreciated.