Darth Spacey

I know the GC lets me travel outside the country, and then I can use the GC
to get back in, provided I'm not gone for long enough to raise some kind of
"non-immigrant intent" red flag.

Two things, totally unrelated:

1) If I travel to Canada, will I be able to cross the border (either or both
ways?) based just on my drivers license, or is it wiser to show my GC as ID?
I want to avoid any potential additional Immigration-related hold-ups, just
for pure convenience's sake, as I will be traveling with at least one US
citizen (my wife) and don't want to keep them waiting around.

2) My UK passport expires July 2004. I don't think I'll have the money
available to make the trip to the UK to renew it by then. Do I need to
travel to the UK, or can it be done by mail via the Embassy? Also, would
renewing my UK passport have any bearing on my Naturalisation process, if I
decide to go ahead and Naturalise? Does it show some kind of non-Citizen
intent, or something?

Extra special bonus question (3) Can I enter the UK from the USA using just
a GC (no passport) as ID? I suspect that if I can, the delays and
questioning would make it an impractical consideration. If I can enter and
leave both the USA and the UK conveniently without my UK passport, then
obviously question (2) becomes moot.


Thanks,




Darth Spacey

Lucy

"Darth Spacey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > 1) If I travel to Canada, will I be able to cross the border (either or
both
    > ways?) based just on my drivers license, or is it wiser to show my GC as
ID?
    > I want to avoid any potential additional Immigration-related hold-ups,
just
    > for pure convenience's sake, as I will be traveling with at least one US
    > citizen (my wife) and don't want to keep them waiting around.

Personally, when I have been to Canada, I have shown my passport and green
card. I have only driven across the border, so I'm unsure of the process at
airports. My experience when driving has been as follows: They ask my
citizenship (and that of my passengers). I reply that I'm British, but a US
resident and show my passport and green card. They take a quick look at the
passport and green card and hand it back to me, without stamping or
anything. Then they ask the usual stuff about purpose of visit, where I'm
staying and how long I'll be in Canada. Similar situation when returning to
the US, but without the questions about purpose of visit.

Anyway, it's very quick and takes no longer than the US citizens in cars in
front of me that I've observed. I certainly never had to get out of the car
or anything.

    > 2) My UK passport expires July 2004. I don't think I'll have the money
    > available to make the trip to the UK to renew it by then. Do I need to
    > travel to the UK, or can it be done by mail via the Embassy?

Not only can you, but I think you're actually required to renew at the
embassy if you're a US resident. IIRC, applying in the UK requires that you
live in the UK. For details, see
http://www.britainusa.com/consular/o...5&Other_ID=205
When I renewed mine, it took about two weeks.

    > Also, would
    > renewing my UK passport have any bearing on my Naturalisation process, if
I
    > decide to go ahead and Naturalise? Does it show some kind of non-Citizen
    > intent, or something?

I don't think so, but I have no experience of that. I would think it's a
good idea to have a valid passport when you naturalize though.

    > Extra special bonus question (3) Can I enter the UK from the USA using
just
    > a GC (no passport) as ID? I suspect that if I can, the delays and
    > questioning would make it an impractical consideration. If I can enter and
    > leave both the USA and the UK conveniently without my UK passport, then
    > obviously question (2) becomes moot.

I wouldn't think so. Your green card doesn't show that you're a British
Citizen, so it might make it harder for them to determine if you can be
admitted to the country.. It might be possible, but I'd be willing to bet it
would be a pain in the a**. Someone else here may have more information on
that. Personally, I just bring my British passport with me.

Lucy

Jack Fox

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 15:58:13 -0500, "Lucy" <[email protected]>
wrote:

    >"Darth Spacey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news:[email protected]...
    >> 1) If I travel to Canada, will I be able to cross the border (either or
    >both
    >> ways?) based just on my drivers license, or is it wiser to show my GC as
    >ID?
    >> I want to avoid any potential additional Immigration-related hold-ups,
    >just
    >> for pure convenience's sake, as I will be traveling with at least one US
    >> citizen (my wife) and don't want to keep them waiting around.
    >Personally, when I have been to Canada, I have shown my passport and green
    >card. I have only driven across the border, so I'm unsure of the process at
    >airports. My experience when driving has been as follows: They ask my
    >citizenship (and that of my passengers). I reply that I'm British, but a US
    >resident and show my passport and green card. They take a quick look at the
    >passport and green card and hand it back to me, without stamping or
    >anything. Then they ask the usual stuff about purpose of visit, where I'm
    >staying and how long I'll be in Canada. Similar situation when returning to
    >the US, but without the questions about purpose of visit.
    >Anyway, it's very quick and takes no longer than the US citizens in cars in
    >front of me that I've observed. I certainly never had to get out of the car
    >or anything.
    >> 2) My UK passport expires July 2004. I don't think I'll have the money
    >> available to make the trip to the UK to renew it by then. Do I need to
    >> travel to the UK, or can it be done by mail via the Embassy?
    >Not only can you, but I think you're actually required to renew at the
    >embassy if you're a US resident. IIRC, applying in the UK requires that you
    >live in the UK.

As far as I know, the UK Passport Office won't send a new passport to
a foreign address. But there's nothing to stop a US resident applying
for a new passport while in the old country. I've done it myself.

    > For details, see
    >http://www.britainusa.com/consular/o...5&Other_ID=205
    >When I renewed mine, it took about two weeks.

One used to be able to do it in the various UK consulates around the
country. Now all applications apparently have to go through the
embassy in Washington.

    >> Also, would
    >> renewing my UK passport have any bearing on my Naturalisation process, if
    >I
    >> decide to go ahead and Naturalise? Does it show some kind of non-Citizen
    >> intent, or something?
    >I don't think so, but I have no experience of that. I would think it's a
    >good idea to have a valid passport when you naturalize though.
    >> Extra special bonus question (3) Can I enter the UK from the USA using
    >just
    >> a GC (no passport) as ID? I suspect that if I can, the delays and
    >> questioning would make it an impractical consideration. If I can enter and
    >> leave both the USA and the UK conveniently without my UK passport, then
    >> obviously question (2) becomes moot.
    >I wouldn't think so. Your green card doesn't show that you're a British
    >Citizen, so it might make it harder for them to determine if you can be
    >admitted to the country.. It might be possible, but I'd be willing to bet it
    >would be a pain in the a**. Someone else here may have more information on
    >that. Personally, I just bring my British passport with me.

The airline won't let you board the flight without a valid passport.

Caldream

Travel to Canada by air or car needs a passport even if you are
American.

A UK passport can be renewed by mail from the consulate in DC, takes
about three weeks and costs $111 www.britainusa.com

I am also a UK passport holder.