Baby born overseas

[inzogbiya]

Hi
I'm a British citizen and my son was born in Canada. Am I correct in thinking he can enter UK as a visitor using his Canadian passport and then I can apply for his UK passport whilst he's here ?

I read about people applying for COE ROA but I wasn't sure why people go down this route and I was hoping to avoid this.

Many thanks

[secret.simon]

Am I correct in thinking he can enter UK as a visitor using his Canadian passport and then I can apply for his UK passport whilst he's here ?

If you are a British citizen otherwise than by descent (i.e. a British citizen by birth in the UK or by naturalisation in the UK), then your child is a British citizen by descent.

British citizens are not eligible to apply for a visit visa and any such application will be rejected as per Home Office guidance (see Page 3).

In theory, if you can prove to the Immigration Officer that your child is a British citizen (your British passport and the child's birth certificate should be sufficient), s/he should allow the child into the UK as a British citizen and not stamp them in as a visitor.

[inzogbiya]

Thanks secret.simon, I'll make sure I carry his birth certificate with me. I'm naturalized so I'm aware he is British by descent.

[secret.simon]

'm naturalized so I'm aware he is British by descent.

In that case, the child is only British if he was born on or after the date on your citizenship certificate.

[inzogbiya]

Yes that's right he's born after my naturalization. I may actually carry my naturalization certificate as well as his birth certificate when we arrive to U.K just in case.

[inzogbiya]

Hi. So my son entered the UK and the immigration officer stamped his passport with leave to enter for six months. I assume this will not have an implication when i apply for his UK passport shortly? Please confirm. Thanks.

[CR001]

No it should not as he is only applying for a passport.