US Passport

[Captain Oates 911]

Getting a renewal on my UK passport is said by the Consulate to take 4 weeks or so

If I had to visit the UK urgently during that time, could I use the US passport (when I get one) to visit the UK.

I guess they would just whack a 6 month stamp in it and that would be that

I know the U.S. does not allow their citizens to enter with a foreign passport, but I don't think the UK is prickly like that

Am I right ?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Don't know if you're right but that's what I would do if I were in your situation.

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

I don't know about the UK, but I know for example that I must enter Italy with my italian passport and not the US one.

Probably the UK has a similar law.

Anyways, I'm surprised it takes 4 weeks to get your passport renewed. It takes one week at the italian consulate (not quite an example of efficient burocracy....efficient burocracy, what an oxymoron anyways!) and I could actually get a next-day one when I showed proof of travel...

[Captain Oates 911]

I don't know about the UK, but I know for example that I must enter Italy with my italian passport and not the US one.

Probably the UK has a similar law.

Anyways, I'm surprised it takes 4 weeks to get your passport renewed. It takes one week at the italian consulate (not quite an example of efficient burocracy....efficient burocracy, what an oxymoron anyways!) and I could actually get a next-day one when I showed proof of travel...

yes UK says only mail applications to Washington Embassy and 4 weeks to process renewals...

How would they know you were one of their's anyway ? (without a lot of digging) - apart from racial profiling

at manchester when I say - 'by gum lad - 'ad forgotten how bloody wet it is - am fair nesh' and he says 'Tha dunt sound like a bloody yank - tha's a chuffin' Yorkie - I bet you could peel an orange in your pocket' (Yorkies are mean with money)

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nesh

Edited May 19, 2010 by saywhat

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Maybe take a peek at the Governmemnt site and see if they explain what expats should do.

[mikey78 6]

How would they know?...even if the orange is not sticking outta your pocket? LOL....you have a place of birth in your passport: usually country sometimes followed by the name of the city...so seeing that info UK immigration might just ask if you hold a British passport..now the good thing is that usually if you are a citizen they have to let you in...might be lenghtly tough since they will have to verify that you are (whatever that entails). It's only up to the guy in the booth to make it as complex as (s)he likes...

yes UK says only mail applications to Washington Embassy and 4 weeks to process renewals...

How would they know you were one of their's anyway ? (without a lot of digging) - apart from racial profiling

at manchester when I say - 'by gum lad - 'ad forgotten how bloody wet it is - am fair nesh' and he says 'Tha dunt sound like a bloody yank - tha's a chuffin' Yorkie - I bet you could peel an orange in your pocket' (Yorkies are mean with money)

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nesh

[Captain Oates 911]

How would they know?...even if the orange is not sticking outta your pocket? LOL....you have a place of birth in your passport: usually country sometimes followed by the name of the city...so seeing that info UK immigration might just ask if you hold a British passport..now the good thing is that usually if you are a citizen they have to let you in...might be lenghtly tough since they will have to verify that you are (whatever that entails). It's only up to the guy in the booth to make it as complex as (s)he likes...

That's a good point - I suppose it gives place of birth in US passports...

I know U.S. folk are prohibited entering the US with a foreign passport but I don't know if it's an offence and they get fined.

If it gives my place of birth as England, I suppose they would struggle to deport me

[Captain Oates 911]

I would take my UK driving licence, a photocopy of my UK passport and my original birth certificate and a US passport and risk it I reckon.

You know the airlines always check to see if there is a good chance you will be admitted at the other end coz they can be fined. I have had some real struggles with BMI at Manchester who tried to stop me flying to the US once as she had no evidence my K1 was cancelled and it was out of date. Chicago immigration was fine with it. I wonder what they would do with a US passport which had a UK place of birth in it - would they insist on a UK passport ? I bet they don't even look at place of birth. If they did, I could be prevented from flying in the first place - the airlines are tougher than immigration coz it involves money. Yes I think the airline might be the toughest nut to crack.

Edited May 19, 2010 by saywhat

[Captain Oates 911]

ahhah ! Found this on the US State Dept site - so the problem is not getting into the US as a citizen without a passport , the problem is the airline won't fly you because of either their own procedures or security pre clearance with the US no doubt. Also if it's law, a fine will be available no doubt even if one does convince the airline. OK that's clear - now what about the UK - I will continue digging but if anyone knows then please post..

Under US law if you or your children are dual UK-US nationals travelling between both countries, you should travel with both passports. US law also requires that dual US nationals use their US passport to enter and exit the country - those who attempt to travel on their foreign passport risk being denied boarding. Further information can be obtained from the US State Department (see above).

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Getting a renewal on my UK passport is said by the Consulate to take 4 weeks or so

If I had to visit the UK urgently during that time, could I use the US passport (when I get one) to visit the UK.

I guess they would just whack a 6 month stamp in it and that would be that

I know the U.S. does not allow their citizens to enter with a foreign passport, but I don't think the UK is prickly like that

Am I right ?

The UK IS prickly like that. They WOULD know where you're from because it's written in your passport that you were born in the UK and you wouldn't have lost your UK citizenship when becoming a US citizen.

You should apply early (i.e. when you're sure you wouldn't need it). They can be applied for 9 months early. OR you would have to apply for an emergency travel document

Here: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports/passport-fees :

"# Emergency Travel Document - $151 (* Can $151) (only available at a limited number of offices, please contact your local office for information: in the USA, in Canada, in any other country)

We only issue emergency travel documents if other types of passport cannot be printed in time. There is a call out fee for this service outside of office hours. You will need to add this fee to the cost of the passport.

# Call out fee - $217"

If you had to travel urgently, personally I would go through on the US passport anyway (it's a huge risk but depending on the reason, worth it) and hope for the best, but I would take evidence of you having applied, evidence of why you couldn't wait, your birth certificate etc.

Lets just hope it never comes to that.

[Captain Oates 911]

The UK IS prickly like that. They WOULD know where you're from because it's written in your passport that you were born in the UK and you wouldn't have lost your UK citizenship when becoming a US citizen.

You should apply early (i.e. when you're sure you wouldn't need it). They can be applied for 9 months early. OR you would have to apply for an emergency travel document

Here: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports/passport-fees :

"# Emergency Travel Document - $151 (* Can $151) (only available at a limited number of offices, please contact your local office for information: in the USA, in Canada, in any other country)

We only issue emergency travel documents if other types of passport cannot be printed in time. There is a call out fee for this service outside of office hours. You will need to add this fee to the cost of the passport.

# Call out fee - $217"

If you had to travel urgently, personally I would go through on the US passport anyway (it's a huge risk but depending on the reason, worth it) and hope for the best, but I would take evidence of you having applied, evidence of why you couldn't wait, your birth certificate etc.

Lets just hope it never comes to that.

Yes so far it seems that actually boarding the flight is the biggest hurdle and the fine if any would likely be less than the emergency paperwork (in total)... That would be an nightmare all that phoning and driving and standing in line etc if there was an emergency... I will apply 9 months before, but I will still be passportless for 4 weeks or so..still digging around UK info..

[Captain Oates 911]

ok well I can't find ANYTHING to say a UK / US national cannot enter the UK on a US passport.

What I found were lots and lots of dual citizens who do just that very often and they often let their UK passport expire to save cost

I think a lot of blagging goes on and a lot of people try to apply US immigration law (which is specific) to the UK

It may be that something has changed recently - but knowing how tolerant and slow moving the UK is, I would not be surprised if this has not changed and it is still possible.

Anyone got any specific UK regulations that says it can't be done ?

I am talking about a 1 week visit by the way.

Edited May 20, 2010 by saywhat

[NickD 203]

Very country oriented question, my wife had no problem in flying down to Colombia a couple of months ago with her US passport to visit her mom. I was with her, but had a hell of a time trying to enter Colombia at their POE. Namely because their officer looked at her place of birth in her US passport, I had no problems entering, because my place of birth was in Illinois, USA.

They finally let her in, in like a catch 22 position, she had to renew her Colombian ID first and can only do that in Colombia, and when we left after a week, they checked to see her application that she did indeed apply. Can take up to a year for her to get her Colombian ID at which time we can get her Colombian passport in Chicago or even in New York, the next closest consulate. Well, there is another in LA.

Our plane took off an hour and a half late, something wrong with the windshield wiper or some other crazy thing. We landed with another plane also carrying 300 passengers. With just two lines, that made each line 300 passengers long, and for awhile was wondering if we had to make arrangements to come back home. Wife is very convincing, spent ten minutes talking to that hard head, but finally convinced him by knowing the Colombian law. But really didn't know she needed a Colombian passport since she had a US passport.

Naturalized US citizens are not like natural born ones.

I tried to get more information on this subject by calling the Colombian consulate in Chicago, spoke to some know it all kid who must be the son of some politician to get that plush job. Made me wish I didn't make that call, we are not the only country that hires idiots. Can't even get a straight answer to a simple question. Perhaps you will do better by contacting your British consulate.

[warlord 73]

Every country expects if you are a citizen to enter as their citizen. I know former country states the same thing as in the UK and I and others I know don't bother. We just enter as US citizens, even though on the passport it states country of birth. I've never had any issues at all. I think most countries now realize that people aren't going to always renew passports for multiple nations when they aren't and haven't been living in one. Theoretically they say entering it on their passport is safer because you can be more protected, less chance for any border issues etc. But really, unless you are doing something bad to start with 99% of us will never be in that position...

[Happychap 0]

There is actually a EU directive (not law) that i read some time ago that states that EU citizens should use their EU passport when entering a EU country if the holder is course a EU citizen. However, my wife has an italian passport but uses her american passport to enter Italy. The italians are not picky though (they much rather sit and drink their cappuccino than bother with that).

The benefit of using your EU passport is best for obvious reasons - you don't have to line up at an immigration booth for non-EU citizens (which can be lengthy) and can therefore walk through the EU booth in a timely manner and with ease.

Conclusion: use which ever passport you desire as long as you don't mind waiting the extra few minutes to go through the non-EU line.