KS2008

A purely hypothetical question (honestly!). It's just something I've wondered about.

Let's say someone is a dual-national, British and something else. They let their British passport expire and don't renew it because they always travel on their other passport. But what would happen if they tried to re-enter the UK? I assume that they wouldn't be allowed to use the other passport on the grounds that they are British rather than a foreign national, so could they then enter on their expired passport? Can Immigration stop a British citizen from entering their own country even it they've only got out-of-date documentation?

Elvira

A Brit can enter the UK on a foreign passport as a VISITOR.

JAJ

Assuming the following:

- the foreign passport does not require a visa. So a US, Canadian, Australian, NZ, Brazilian etc. passport is ok, a South African passport is not.

- the airline isn't going to refuse boarding to someone on a one-way ticket (not an issue if the other passport is EEA/Swiss).

The only safe way for a British citizen to use a non-EEA/Swiss passport to enter the UK for residence is to have a Right of Abode stamp in the foreign passport.

Top Cat

Hi,

We were returning from a holiday in Canada a few weeks ago. The family infront of us had british passports which were 6 months out of date. The Immigration officer asked why?.. they said ' Yes we know!' His reply was 'okay' and they walked on through..

We were amazed that no more questions were asked... but hey ho!

Not really an answer to your question but interesting anyway.


Top Cat

Tr1boy

I did that once, no probs, and I saw a Brit/Kiwi do it the previous Xmas (in fact it was seeing her doing it that made me figure I'd try it). I've renewed now ( and it the std turnaround for my British passport was 10 days quicker than the so-called 'fast' and extra $$ option when renewing my Australian passport, but then I've become used to substandard service living in Oz so long!).

It probably depends how long your Brit passport is out of date, 6mths or more would be taking the piss IMO.

JAJ

They may have used Canadian, US passports etc, to board the aircraft. If they just had expired British passports, there is a 99% risk of being refused boarding.

Tr1boy

Ah yes, I'm assuming the family some kind of other passport. Traveling on just an expired UK passport would be rather foolish IMO.

Aviator

If the expired date is noticed at the POD then a passenger with an expired passport would not be allowed to board at all. It is doubtful they would even get as far as the gate.

Patzy

I am not sure that is the case. This is from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office if travelling from US to UK:

Does my British passport have to be valid for six months beyond my date of departure from the United States?

No, if your passport is not valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure from the United States, it will not affect your eligibility to travel. The United States has an agreement with the United Kingdom automatically extending the validity of a passport for six months past the passport's expiration date. Therefore, your passport need remain valid only for the duration of your stay in the United States.

JAJ

If you read that again, you'll see it doesn't mean that people can use an expired passport. It just means that the passport can be used with less than 6 months remaining.

Aviator

Try getting on a plane with any expired passport and let me know. I have had passengers declined boarding, their bags did not even get onto the scale.

What your quote refers to is some countries require you have a passport with a certain number of months remaining on your passport past the end of your trip, others have a reciprocal agreement. Some countries require 6 months others 3, if you try entering these countries with less than that period remaining you would be detained by immigration and then deported.

luvwelly

It's what a German friend of mine describes as the wonderful flexibility of British bureaucrats ....let's face it, if it's their passport and they obviously are British...what difference does it make what date is on the passport? And the best thing of all...no money changed hands....

Tr1boy

I was assuming that we are talking about a person that has an expired Brit passport and using it to enter UK, have left their port of origin on another passport. You can do this because, as I've said, I've done it. But you'd be silly to try using an expired passport for your whole trip IMO. Like Aviator says, can't see how you'd be allowed to board at all.

aes1

I want to be sure I have this right. If I have a US passport, and I leave the USA on it to make a one way trip back to the UK (relocating) and my British passport has only a couple of months before expiration........will I have any problems?

Tr1boy

Well I wouldn't have thought so, as I entered the UK on a passport that was 2mths expired. With a couple of mths left to run I would have thought you'd be fine. It may come down to who you get on the gate though. I always fly into Term 1 via Korea and it's usually like a ghost town compared to other terminals.

Flying into Term 4 or 5 might have more of a jobsworth on Customs.