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Original poster

Urgent passport query - entering the UK

19 replies

CroakingCrocus · 27/10/2018 20:39

Hoping someone may know the answer to this. My brother is a dual citizen and is visiting his home country. You have to travel into this country using its passport.

He has stupidly left his British passport at his home in London. Due to fly back tonight. What should he say at Border Control? Obvious options are to explain the situation or say he's a visiting tourist.

Home country has visa free travel to the UK and he's got more than 6 months in that passport.

Has anyone done anything similar and did it work out ok?

OP posts:
MyOtherProfile · 27/10/2018 20:41

Has he got a different passport with him?

PotteringAlong · 27/10/2018 20:41

I assume there’s a record of him being a British citizen in the system?

Could you get to his house and take a photo of his UK passport so he’s got a photo of it? He doesn’t need it to enter the U.K.; his other passport will be fine.

MyOtherProfile · 27/10/2018 20:42

Can't he just use the passport he used to travel out with?

Original poster
CroakingCrocus · 27/10/2018 20:52

Yes he's got a photo of his British passport in his emails and there will be a record of him living in the UK. He's been living here for 14 years or so.

He's got his other passport with him so would enter via the non EU citizen line.

So will he get away with explaining the situation to the Border guard?

OP posts:
HoneyWheeler · 27/10/2018 20:53

Is his other nationality an EEA country? If not they will want to see he has a ticket out again. Speaking from experience. He could say he was on holiday but would need to show that he had funds so he could leave again. Maybe book a ferry ticket to Calais? Even if he doesn't use it it's £30 odd quid.

Original poster
CroakingCrocus · 27/10/2018 20:54

Oh and hilariously he works at the immigration section at the Embassy of our home nation. If anyone should know better...

OP posts:
HoneyWheeler · 27/10/2018 20:54

Sorry just seen your update - obviously I don't know but I don't think that'll wash with the border control! Can someone meet him at the airport with the passport?

Original poster
CroakingCrocus · 27/10/2018 20:56

Damn do you think that will be required? His partner could meet him at the airport with his passport.

I'm travelling with him but remembered to bring my British passport.

OP posts:
Ta1kinpeace · 27/10/2018 20:56

If his other passport is EEA he is fine
if its not and he does not have his ILR or visa status in it,
make sure he goes to the toilet straight after the plane as once he is in the mirrored room they will not let him.

Once customs lock him up, he will be allowed one call ON THEIR LANDLINE PHONE
make it be to you and have the UK passport number there

the sooner they have that, the sooner they will let him out

Tresemme's Hostile Environment is an utter bastard

Original poster
CroakingCrocus · 27/10/2018 20:59

Other passport is Canadian. He's being quite blasé about it which I'm not sure will wash with Border Force.

OP posts:
xyzandabc · 27/10/2018 21:00

Don't lie and say you're on holiday.

Queue up with the non EU queue as per the other passport nationality. When you get to the immigration officer, just explain the situation as it is. Especially with a photo of the Brit passport, they will be able to check his British nationality. He may be asked to take a seat while they do the checks and they may ask a heap of questions but shouldn't be a problem.

Saying he is a visitor on holiday using his other passport will get him a visitor stamp in that passport which may then cause issues when he uses it in other places but says that he permanently resides in the UK. It will then look like he has lied to an immigration officer which is never a good thing

Ex immigration officer here

Ta1kinpeace · 27/10/2018 21:01

Canadian is better than many - Commonwealth
just make sure that the number of the UK one is in his hand as he goes through immigration

remind him to be apologetic and be willing to grovel and apologise for being such a wazzock - they like that

(can you tell I've been there !!)

xyzandabc · 27/10/2018 21:05

Ha ha, he should mention that he works in the immigration section of the embassy and that he's been a total dingbat in the most apologetic way. They will see the funny side. (Unless he gets a total jobsworth, in which case I'm sorry, they will still let him in but just maybe not with a smile!) Honestly, no need for anyone to take the passport to the airport.

CraftyGin · 27/10/2018 21:10

Never, ever lie to immigration officers.

Original poster
CroakingCrocus · 27/10/2018 21:11

Ok phew. Thanks all. His partner will be on standby to travel out the airport with the passport if needed.

OP posts:
Ta1kinpeace · 27/10/2018 21:13

Unless he gets a total jobsworth, in which case I'm sorry, they will still let him in but just maybe not with a smile!
I must be unlucky then
as the gits who locked me up for several hours
were followed by years and years of officers who gave me shit about my ILR / lack of visa / accent / you name it

CloudsAway · 29/10/2018 09:02

Did he get back OK?

Original poster
CroakingCrocus · 29/10/2018 10:13

He did thankfully. Went briefly into a holding area for a few minutes but then they looked up his passport details on the system.

OP posts:
Ta1kinpeece · 29/10/2018 15:31

Cool

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