Immigrationboards.com

Hi,

I need your advise on my situation.

I just received my citizenship approval letter and going to book for my citizenship ceremony. But I am traveling on october 21st out of UK to India for my holidays. So, i am confused whether I can travel with my Indian Passport after getting my citizenship certificate so that I can apply for British passport on my return after November 10th.

What is the best solution in my case.

Your inputs are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Note that you have 3months from the day of getting your Citizenship approval to travel on the Indian Passport after which you will be fined by the Indian Embassy.

Just carry your Indian Passport and Citizenship approval with you while you travel, incase the Immigration raises any questions on the UK side.
cheers
vr

Another option is to book your citizenship ceremony for after you return. You won't be British until the ceremony. Note that you have 3 months to attend the ceremony from approval date.

VR wrote:Note that you have 3months from the day of getting your Citizenship approval to travel on the Indian Passport

Not from citizenship approval but from becoming a citizen i.e. citizenship ceremony.

Thanks VR and Jambo for your comments. Much appreciated.

As said before, I am an Indian Passport Holder but going to SE Asia for my holidays (Malaysia) and can SKIP India if required. In that way, i can stay safe from Indian Immigration.

Some people in this forum stated that I will loose my ILR if my BC is approved which is indeed now. I am yet to call the local council for ceremony dates. As Jambo stated, one solution is to wait until i am back in November as the date in my approval letter is 7th September 2013 (Received the letter only 2 days ago). So, i have until 6th December 2013 to get my certificate.

If the council ask me to collect it as soon as possible when i ring them. What shall i do ? Can i collect the certificate, go for my holidays, come back and then apply for BP in peace as i need to allow 6 weeks for processing?

In this case, Will I be stopped when i enter UK as i have the citizenship certificate but the Indian passport ? Not sure whether my ILR is valid ?

I may be silly but want to make sure that i am doing it right to avoid any problems.

Many thanks for your time.

The council can suggest dates for the ceremony but can't force you to attend on a specific date. Just explain you have plans and wish to attend after your return.

In any case, the ILR card itself doesn't get invalidated. It might be the ILR status that becomes irrelevant. You are either an Indian with a valid ILR status or a British citizen (with a naturalisation certificate but without a British passport) with ILR which is irrelevant. Either way, you will have no problems entering the UK on your return.

Thanks Jambo (The Guru) for your quick reply. Very much appreciated and my mind is at peace planning for my holidays !!!