Page 1 of 1
Traveling after the ceremony and before the passport
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 7:59 pm
by manymore
Hi everyone,
I've just received an approval letter from Atlas. What's people's experience of attending the ceremony, getting the certificate and then travelling on the existing foreign passport with eVisa? The email says the below, but it doesn't say anything about the traveling itself. Thank you!
"If you have an eVisa, your digital status will not be updated when you become a British citizen. This will not affect your citizenship. However, you cannot use your eVisa once you become a British citizen, as you are no longer subject to immigration control. Instead, you will need to apply for a British citizen passport, or for a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in your foreign passport."
Re: Traveling after the ceremony and before the passport
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 8:14 pm
by alterhase58
In law any visa you held is irrelevant, citizenship and right of entry/abode in the UK is your right.
That doesn't mean that immigration systems are automatically updated, there is no seemless integration between immigration and nationality. You may still be questioned however you cannot be refused entry, even if you don't carry a British passport. Recommend you carry at least a copy of your certificate in case you have to prove that you are British. This situation has happened a lot when HMPO was very slow in processing two or three years ago. There are some members here who could confirm from experience.
Re: Traveling after the ceremony and before the passport
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:24 pm
by contorted_svy
It is best to apply for a UK passport as soon as possible after you get your certificate and before you travel.
Re: Traveling after the ceremony and before the passport
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 2:09 pm
by Ticktack
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 24, 2025 8:14 pm
In law any visa you held is irrelevant, citizenship and right of entry/abode in the UK is your right.
That doesn't mean that immigration systems are automatically updated, there is no seemless integration between immigration and nationality. You may still be questioned however you cannot be refused entry, even if you don't carry a British passport. Recommend you carry at least a copy of your certificate in case you have to prove that you are British. This situation has happened a lot when HMPO was very slow in processing two or three years ago. There are some members here who could confirm from experience.
This is true. However, how is the OP going to board a plane without evidence that they are allowed into the UK?
A passport is a travel document, hence the OP needs this document to travel.
The notion that one can just turn up at the border and would be allowed entry has changed with the E-visa. E-visa (I'm guessing) becomes null and void once the ceremony is done. The only way at this point to enter the UK is either with a UK passport, Irish passport or COEofROA.
Any other experiment could result in the OP chilling out in home country for at least 6 months.
Re: Traveling after the ceremony and before the passport
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 2:47 pm
by contorted_svy
Ticktack wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 2:09 pm
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 24, 2025 8:14 pm
In law any visa you held is irrelevant, citizenship and right of entry/abode in the UK is your right.
That doesn't mean that immigration systems are automatically updated, there is no seemless integration between immigration and nationality. You may still be questioned however you cannot be refused entry, even if you don't carry a British passport. Recommend you carry at least a copy of your certificate in case you have to prove that you are British. This situation has happened a lot when HMPO was very slow in processing two or three years ago. There are some members here who could confirm from experience.
This is true. However, how is the OP going to board a plane without evidence that they are allowed into the UK?
A passport is a travel document, hence the OP needs this document to travel.
The notion that one can just turn up at the border and would be allowed entry has changed with the E-visa. E-visa (I'm guessing) becomes null and void once the ceremony is done. The only way at this point to enter the UK is either with a UK passport, Irish passport or COEofROA.
Any other experiment could result in the OP chilling out in home country for at least 6 months.
Technically, I agree with you. But the immigration status is not updated instantly and some people report travelling back on their ILR eVisa status. I would not recommend people try the gamble unless extenuating circumstances arise though, and being very aware of the risks.