British Citizenship By Descent, HOW?

[Jawad94]

Of course there is no embassy in Syria.
I totally understand the fears of Syrian citizens, but I come from a respectful background. However, before an embassy takes any action, I will provide them with all of my documents, I can also be recommended by British people in UK that I have no relation to any violence in Syria.

I an engineering student working with NGOs that work with the UN organizations, my father worked in the UK as an ophthalmologist for 13 years and my mother is lawyer.

It is not that I cannot leave Syria, but if stay longer than 3 days in Lebanon, I will be considered an illegal settler who will be kicked out from Lebanon with no return.

The only two places I can enter are Lebanon and Sudan, otherwise, it will be a Visa (it's hard to obtain one) or to be an asylum seeker (which is sth I don't need as a British national).

[noajthan]

Of course there is no embassy in Syria.
I totally understand the fears of Syrian citizens, but I come from a respectful background. However, before an embassy takes any action, I will provide them with all of my documents, I can also be recommended by British people in UK that I have no relation to any violence in Syria.

I an engineering student working with NGOs that work with the UN organizations, my father worked in the UK as an ophthalmologist for 13 years and my mother is lawyer.

It is not that I cannot leave Syria, but if stay longer than 3 days in Lebanon, I will be considered an illegal settler who will be kicked out from Lebanon with no return.

The only two places I can enter are Lebanon and Sudan, otherwise, it will be a Visa (it's hard to obtain one) or to be an asylum seeker (which is sth I don't need as a British national).

If no embassies remain from any EU country then suggest try to call that UK number.

If all you have to do is deliver documents and possibly participate in an interview you should be done in Lebanon within the day (excluding travel time).

[Jawad94]

I will call them during the opening hours.
But is it going to cost more money for finishing the process within one day? I may not be able to afford more fees would they take that into consideration?

[noajthan]

I will call them during the opening hours.
But is it going to cost more money for finishing the process within one day? I may not be able to afford more fees would they take that into consideration?

I don't think you will get an answer and a passport in the same day.
My understanding is you deliver the application up front and then either return later (in a few weeks) for the outcome or, possibly, receive the result and your bundle by carrier; (if there is a functioning courier service?? - there is certainly a courier fee payable).

The UK phoneline can, presumably, go into these matters and explain all that in detail.

[Jawad94]

Here's exactly my problem, I am not allowed to stay in Lebanon more than a week maximum to wait for the passport release, and it's too dangerous to come back to Aleppo.

[noajthan]

Here's exactly my problem, I am not allowed to stay in Lebanon more than a week maximum to wait for the passport release, and it's too dangerous to come back to Aleppo.

Do you mean you hope to make a one-way trip? (applying for and picking up passport and then keeping on travelling?).

I think you need to take advice from that FCO helpline on such a scenario.

[vinny]

There may be other countries that you can go to?

[ohara]

As an EU citizen, you automatically have the protection of any EU member state embassy if you are in a country which does not have an embassy of your own country.

[vinny]

A problem is demonstrating British citizenship, without a British passport, to any EU member state embassy.

[Jawad94]

I called to the FCO, they didn't provide me with any help and the advice they gave is to call the passport advice line

[noajthan]

I called to the FCO, they didn't provide me with any help and the advice they gave is to call the passport advice line

Very disappointing as clearly vital and potentially life-changing questions for you include how long will the process take and how many trips will be required.

It seems all you can do is try calling again and insist on speaking to someone more senior and in authority.

[Jawad94]

So far I've sent an email to the address provided in the embassy in Damascus and another to the one in Beirut. However, no reply received from both

[noajthan]

Hello again

I have set an appointment in the Visa Application Center in Beirut on 18/7/2016.

@Jawad94, any news on the outcome?

[Jawad94]

Hello again

I have set an appointment in the Visa Application Center in Beirut on 18/7/2016.

@Jawad94, any news on the outcome?

I had to delay that appointment, it was just two days ago when I submitted the applications in Beirut at the UK Visa Application Center. I haven't received an email yet notifying me that the process has started (maybe because it's the weekend today and yesterday). However, there's something confusing me! I asked the employee there at the UK Visa Application Center about the interview, she said that their center isn't responsible for interviews; their only job is to deliver and applications and documents to London, and making sure the important documents are not missed in addition to receiving passports in case things went fine.

Thank you so much for asking

[noajthan]

I had to delay that appointment, it was just two days ago when I submitted the applications in Beirut at the UK Visa Application Center. I haven't received an email yet notifying me that the process has started (maybe because it's the weekend today and yesterday). However, there's something confusing me! I asked the employee there at the UK Visa Application Center about the interview, she said that their center isn't responsible for interviews; their only job is to deliver and applications and documents to London, and making sure the important documents are not missed in addition to receiving passports in case things went fine.

Thank you so much for asking

Well we're rooting for you. Hope the journey was not too difficult.

It maybe the interview is optional depending on the circumstances, (perhaps depending on quality of documentation bundle and similar factors).
Now it's just a case of sitting tight and waiting for next instructions.

Even from UK feedback and communication from HO and HMPO is patchy and inconsistent (in my wife's case we heard nothing for weeks and weeks);
don't worry too much if it goes quiet for a while.

[Jawad94]

This seems very relaxing

One of the things that I was asked during the appointment was an address proof (although it is not marked by the asterisk * in the guidance notes) she said you might be asked about it which also might cause a delay. Anyways, soon I got back to Aleppo, I asked for one, and I am willing to send it to them before they ask for it. But will there be extra fees for sending missing documents?

[noajthan]

This seems very relaxing

One of the things that I was asked during the appointment was an address proof (although it is not marked by the asterisk * in the guidance notes) she said you might be asked about it which also might cause a delay. Anyways, soon I got back to Aleppo, I asked for one, and I am willing to send it to them before they ask for it. But will there be extra fees for sending missing documents?

No, no extra fees.

[Jawad94]

My last updates:

The fees have been taken from the Visa Card account; however, no email, SMS, or a phone call received from the HMPO yet to notify me that the process has started, or to include an application number so I would be able to follow up!

[noajthan]

My last updates:

The fees have been taken from the Visa Card account; however, no email, SMS, or a phone call received from the HMPO yet to notify me that the process has started, or to include an application number so I would be able to follow up!

Don't expect too much in terms of communication and status updates; even applicants based in UK are often left in the dark.
Good luck.

[Jawad94]

I have recently emailed the HMPO asking about the interview; whether it is going to take place at the final stage of the passport progress or not. Their response was that an interview is not a must in all cases, it could occur at anytime and for a multitude of reasons.

After a month spent of the beginning of the process, is it considered a good sign that no one has contacted me yet? Does it mean that everything is fine? I still have two months to wait

[noajthan]

I have recently emailed the HMPO asking about the interview; whether it is going to take place at the final stage of the passport progress or not. Their response was that an interview is not a must in all cases, it could occur at anytime and for a multitude of reasons.

After a month spent of the beginning of the process, is it considered a good sign that no one has contacted me yet? Does it mean that everything is fine? I still have two months to wait

HO moves in mysterious ways. You can't read anything into it nor discern meaningful patterns of behaviour.
You may as well try poking around in chicken entrails.

Also worth noting it is vacation time in UK and there have been a number of bank holidays too.
So there may be both a holiday rush or backlog (not to mention a Brexit effect) and a shortage of staff on duty.

Clearly its hard, probably more so in your particular circumstances, but all you can really do is sit tight and wait it out.

[noajthan]

@Jawad94, hang in there.

[Jawad94]

We're still waiting, but so far, no contact has been made from the HMPO after six weeks of the beginning of the process.

The good thing is that there is an American-Russian Truce Agreement in Syria, especially in my city, Aleppo. I don't know how long it could last, but we're tying to enjoy it to the max

[noajthan]

We're still waiting, but so far, no contact has been made from the HMPO after six weeks of the beginning of the process.

The good thing is that there is an American-Russian Truce Agreement in Syria, especially in my city, Aleppo. I don't know how long it could last, but we're tying to enjoy it to the max

Maybe a couple more weeks to go then.

And if the truce brings some respite then it can only help.

[noajthan]

Hang in there