Irish Citizen Entering UK from outside the CTA with Australian Conviction

[glastobound]

Hi guys,

tdlr: I am Irish & Australian, I have a 5 year old Australian criminal record for drugs. Can I enter the UK from Australia? Should I enter from Ireland? Should I enter on my Irish passport?

I am planning on going to Glastonbury Music Festival in June this year from Australia. I am an Irish and Australian citizen and I am planning on flying from Australia to the UK to attend for the few days that it is happening. Been waiting almost 3 years for this as it's been cancelled twice. Unfortunately I have a prior criminal record for attempt to possess mdma with intent to supply from 2017 in Australia. My punishment was 18month sentence suspended for 12 months. Never went to prison, I just had to check in with a corrections officer every month until the 12 months were up. It was a huge mistake from when I was 19 and have since turned my life around. I have zero interest in drugs anymore and I am worried that it may impact my entry to the UK.
I am also an Irish citizen and I know that Irish citizens have more rights to enter over Australian citizens. I also read that you must complete forms if you are coming from Australia (passenger locator form) but you don't need to do this if you have been in Ireland for the 10 days prior. Am I better off flying into Ireland and waiting 10 days before going to the UK or will I be fine to travel straight from Australia? The worst thing that can happen is that I get denied entry and have this with me for life as many countries ask "Have you ever been denied entry to another country" while it will be only another 5 years before I can expunge my conviction.
Thanks in advance!

[secret.simon]

There are no (or almost no) border checks between the UK and Ireland.

If you are able to enter Ireland legally, you will almost certainly be able to travel to the UK without any border checks.

[meself2]

I also read that you must complete forms if you are coming from Australia (passenger locator form) but you don't need to do this if you have been in Ireland for the 10 days prior.

That's not a legal thing as far as I know, it's just in regards to covid. You'd have to complete it if you go to Ireland anyway for Irish authorities (https://travel.eplf.gov.ie/en), so it's one or the other.

As Irish citizen, you should have a visa-free entry to UK without immigration checks so both options are fine, but don't take my word for it, never tried as I'm not one.

The worst thing that can happen is that I get denied entry and have this with me for life as many countries ask "Have you ever been denied entry to another country" while it will be only another 5 years before I can expunge my conviction.

Highly doubt you'll be experiencing any issues with this on Irish passport, as denying Irish citizen entry for 5-year old conviction is way too strict.

[glastobound]

Highly doubt you'll be experiencing any issues with this on Irish passport, as denying Irish citizen entry for 5-year old conviction is way too strict.

I guess i'm used to how Australia deals with things

[glastobound]

Hi there

I tried to make the title as descriptive as possible. I am finding it hard to obtain info based on my situation.

I am an Irish citizen travelling to the UK from Spain this summer. I have been living in Australia for the last 10 years. During this time, I made an awful mistake when i was 20 (5 years ago) and now have an Australian drug conviction recorded against my name where I received a 12month suspended sentence. Huge and regrettable mistake.

I am travelling with a friend to the UK from Spain for less than a week. I will be travelling with my Irish passport and I am very worried that I will have difficulties entering the UK from outside of the CTA.

Does anyone know if I will have issues? Am I just being overly paranoid? It would be awful to ditch my friend because I get caught up at customs and ultimately denied entry. Would I be better off going through Ireland (entering from within the CTA) ?

If you have any recommendations, I am happy to get in touch with a solicitor to discuss this and have them if things go wrong on the day.

Thanks in advance!

[Ticktack]

Hi there

I tried to make the title as descriptive as possible. I am finding it hard to obtain info based on my situation.

I am an Irish citizen travelling to the UK from Spain this summer. I have been living in Australia for the last 10 years. During this time, I made an awful mistake when i was 20 (5 years ago) and now have an Australian drug conviction recorded against my name where I received a 12month suspended sentence. Huge and regrettable mistake.

I am travelling with a friend to the UK from Spain for less than a week. I will be travelling with my Irish passport and I am very worried that I will have difficulties entering the UK from outside of the CTA.

Does anyone know if I will have issues? Am I just being overly paranoid? It would be awful to ditch my friend because I get caught up at customs and ultimately denied entry. Would I be better off going through Ireland (entering from within the CTA) ?

If you have any recommendations, I am happy to get in touch with a solicitor to discuss this and have them if things go wrong on the day.

Thanks in advance!

You're absolutely overthinking it. The UK isn't as vicious as Australia when it comes to immigration. With your Irish passport, you can enter seamlessly. You have almost the same rights as a Brit.