vladnelson

Hello. I'm a dual UK/US citizen. I intend also applying for an Irish passport which requires me to send my UK passport through the post as a supporting document to verify my identity. The current estimated wait time is 2 months. I have no plans to return to the UK anytime soon but with elderly parents back home I can never rule out having to return at short notice. If my British passport is unavailable, is it likely to be a problem entering the UK with an American passport ? I know the US is strict about US citizens having to enter on a US passport but I'm not sure if the UK are more laid back about it. Thanks for any advice

destone

You should be fine. One time I used my EEA passport instead of my UK one and there was no issue whatsoever.

SanDiegogirl

You'll be stamped in as a visitor....... I entered the UK on my US passport and was told in no uncertain terms by the official (as soon as she heard my English accent) to 'kindly enter the UK with your UK passport' .....

Jerseygirl

I have never experienced anything like that, but I was once asked, ‘what is your reason for entering the UK’. I wanted to say ‘because this is my home’, but I didn’t…instead after that I always used my UK PP.

Glasgow Girl

I have a current US and UK passport. I have used my US passport to enter the UK several times, and am simply asked the reason for my visit which I state to be visiting family. I still have a very strong Scottish accent so it is clear that I am British by birth. No issues at all. Another time I used my UK passport and the immigration guy (realizing I had been in the US for a long time) simply said good for you for keeping your UK passport.

tht

Why did you need to speak to an official? Was the E passport lane not working? I had Iris before they replaced it with E gates and have rarely needed to speak immigration at the border in the UK or US (Global Entry) unless it was not available.

SanDiegogirl

It was at a time when E gates were not available.

lansbury

I have always entered the UK on my US passport since I became a citizen 12 years ago. Never been a problem, or a concern raised.

jkeller

I had the same comment by an Italian border agent at Leonardo da Vinci Rome about entering the EU on my US passport. This was around 2008 pre brexit. I didn't take my British passport since we were only going US>Italy>US.

Nutmegger

I had a similar, though more pleasant experience. The official noted my birthplace on the US passport and made a joke about abandoning my roots. It was my first visit after citizenship, and having had to check in with the US passport, I mistakenly thought I would have to use it at both ends (no internet forums to set me straight in those days!). She assured me I could use one at the US end, and another to enter the UK, and I've done that ever since.

vladnelson

Thank you everybody for the replies. I guess I can wing it on a US passport if necessary.

RICH

No need to wing it. It is perfectly acceptable to use a valid US pp to enter UK. for 6 months (I would make sure to get an exit stamp as well to avoid issues next time)

I have not travelled since Brexit but I imagine the lines are longer for non uk people than when EU were not in line!


edit: subject to latest covid rules whatever they are!

robin1234

Since Brexit, they’ve adjusted the e-gates, or whatever they’re called. US and a few other select nationalities can use them, as well as British passport holders.

rpjs

The UK does not give exit stamps.

Milton girl

Get photocopies of your UK passport and take with you.....they can easily check you out as a Brit! I go into UK on my British passport and return on my US passport. Was told to do this by Immingration at Gatwick back in 2006 when I became US citizen.