Question regarding non-EU child visiting UK
 

Hi,

I have a question regarding our upcoming trip back home. I am a LPR of the United States and my wife is a US citizen. Our son is almost 2 years old and I'm wondering if, when we get to the UK border patrol I can bring my son with me to the UK/EU passport line? He only has a US passport, but if I bring his birth certificate can I bring him through the EU line, or will he have to wait it out alongside his mother in the non-EU line?

Thanks! (And if this is the wrong place for this, I apologise, I couldn't for the life of me figure out where it would go.)

Re: Question regarding non-EU child visiting UK
 

Is your son not a dual citizen? If so, he actually is an EU citizen... as well as a British citizen. Even if he only has a US passport ATM, and not yet a British one, that doesn't change his citizenship(s).

Not sure what to suggest about which passport line to take, but I'm sure someone will come along soon to advise something.

Re: Question regarding non-EU child visiting UK
 

Given that he's two years old and can hardly be expected to go through on his own, you can take him with you, and I can't see the officer objecting. BUT, after once arriving in the UK at Dover, from France, in a car with my USC wife, and not expecting her to get out and walk, I drove us both through the UK line. It didn't cause a problem but I was advised that next time I should take the car and her through the non-UK immigration line. So that would be my recommendation - if your wife can't take your son with her on her own, that you all go together through the non-UK line.

Re: Question regarding non-EU child visiting UK
 

A non-EU child can go through the EU line with their parent. If you were traveling without your wife you could hardly expect a 2 year old to queue up in a different line from you. I'd get your child a UK passport.

Re: Question regarding non-EU child visiting UK
 

Sounds the best course of action just to make sure there's absolutely no delays.

Thanks everyone!

Re: Question regarding non-EU child visiting UK
 

I know if your wife had a visa, you can all go through together on the UK/EU line. (I know because I do this with my wife who has ILR, but when she's travelling on her own she has to use the slow queue).

I believe the rule is there because a family is allowed to travel together, so worst case, they tell you off for pushing your luck. (It's definitely worth a try if the non-EU queue is enormous).