British Citizenship Ceremony - going out of country

[avaixhah]

Hi,

Please advise on the following scenario.

My friend received the letter to attend the British citizenship ceremony virtually in first week of Feb, But my friend is travelling out of country in end of January and wont be back in UK for at least couple of months.

Is it correct that if he delay his trip and attends the ceremony then his ILR will become expired and if he travels after the ceremony then he wont be able to come back to UK on his ILR.?

please advise.

thanks
Syed

[bruteforce]

Technically, yes, but realistically the airlines won't refuse boarding as long as the physical ILR BRP is presented. Immigration officer also won't deny entry, the most they can do is keep the BRP & advise to apply for British Passport.

[avaixhah]

Thanks, but please advise what the official line is? ILR will be void once attended the ceremony?

[bruteforce]

As stated above, technically ILR is lapsed once you have attended the ceremony and have signed and dated certificate in hand, having said that, A British citizen cannot be denied entry at the border. If your friend attends virtual ceremony even from overseas, he will be allowed to enter the U.K. on his ILR.

[CR001]

As stated above, technically ILR is lapsed once you have attended the ceremony and have signed and dated certificate in hand, having said that, A British citizen cannot be denied entry at the border. If your friend attends virtual ceremony even from overseas, he will be allowed to enter the U.K. on his ILR.

You cannot attend the virtual ceremony from abroad, this is clearly stated by all councils who do virtual ceremonies.

[bruteforce]

Didn’t know this. Makes sense though.

[avaixhah]

As stated above, technically ILR is lapsed once you have attended the ceremony and have signed and dated certificate in hand, having said that, A British citizen cannot be denied entry at the border. If your friend attends virtual ceremony even from overseas, he will be allowed to enter the U.K. on his ILR.

You cannot attend the virtual ceremony from abroad, this is clearly stated by all councils who do virtual ceremonies.

Is it possible to delay the ceremony, let say for 3 months?

[bruteforce]

https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies

[secret.simon]

Thanks, but please advise what the official line is? ILR will be void once attended the ceremony?

The official line is that a British citizen can't hold leave granted under the Immigration Act 1971. Therefore, when one becomes a British citizen, one ceases to be able to hold any form of leave, including ILR.