Successfully applied to become a British Citizen? Here’s what you must do next!
Congratulations! Your application to become a British Citizen has been successful and you have the Home Office letter to prove it.
You have contacted the local council to arrange your attendance at the citizenship ceremony and invited your nearest and dearest to witness you becoming a British national.
At the ceremony, you will receive your certificate of British citizenship and welcome pack.
And then onto the next step – applying for your British passport. It’s exciting isn’t it?!
Yes. Only there are a few things that you need to be aware of.
After you attend the citizenship ceremony and receive your certificate of British citizenship, your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is no longer appropriate for your circumstances. That’s because you have formally become British and your BRP does not reflect this.
To address this, the Home Office requires that you return the BRP to them by post within 5 days of attending the ceremony or receiving the certificate of British citizenship.
Did I say ‘require’? It would be better to say ‘insist’ as failure to return your BRP to the Home Office after attending a citizenship ceremony can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
The BRP must be returned to (correct as of today’s date):
POL Returns
PO Box 195
Bristol
BS20 1BT.
The BRP shouldn’t merely be placed in an envelope and posted but should be cut into several pieces and placed in a windowless envelope with a note. That note should contain brief wording such as:
‘I am returning my permit because I have become a British citizen’.
Apart from ensuring that you return your BRP within 5 days of attending the citizenship ceremony or receiving your certificate of British citizenship, it all seems straightforward, right?
Wrong! What happens if you have travel booked or plan to travel but cannot afford to wait 6 weeks to receive your new British passport?
Can you attend the ceremony, receive your certificate of British citizenship, travel with your original overseas passport and re-enter the UK with your BRP? After all, the BRP will show that you are entitled to reside in the UK and hasn’t expired.
The firm answer is no.
Once you have attended the citizenship ceremony or received your certificate of British citizenship you cannot hold onto the BRP and travel with it once you. You will instead need to be in possession of a British passport or Right of Abode Certificate to enter the UK.
If you do have travel booked, in such circumstances, it may be best to delay booking and attending the citizenship ceremony.
Normally, you will have 3 months from receipt of the Home Office letter of your application outcome to book and attend the ceremony. It your travel is booked to take place within that time, it may be best to contact your local council and explain the situation to them.
Council officials are extremely helpful and may possibly arrange for you to attend the ceremony at the latest available date. This may give you sufficient time to complete your travels and return to the UK using your BRP before attending the ceremony. This option will not be available if your certificate of British citizenship has been sent to you instead.
The main thing is that having gone through the process of qualifying for British citizenship, applying and being successful, it wold be a shame to become subject to a fine because you did not return your BRP or at worst, have no way of proving your immigration status when returning to the UK after your travels.
Hopefully, following this short guide will help you focus on what’s important, celebrating the outcome of your application to become a British citizen!
76 Comments
Ekaterina
Hello,
recieved Certificate on 11.01 but didn’t see anywhere the notice about 5 days…
have to travel on 5 Feb to Schengen on a different passport, have a schengen visa – so will be able to leave.
Will I be let in on my ILR if I don’t post it back or is it cancelled on the system already? Could you please kindly advise?
Thank you,
EKaterina
Regina
Hi Thomas,
If the oath ceremony is the same date as the travel outside the UK, would it be alright to just return the BRP from the country of the travel destination and expedite it so it would be received by the Home Office within 5 days? Citizenship certificate will just then be forwarded by a relative to the travel destination and will then just apply for a British passport whilst outside the UK?
Charity
Hi, any idea on what to do when your British citizenship ref No says incorrect or invalid upon trying to arrange your ceremony? I got an invitation but it’s over 3 weeks and am still unable to book for my ceremony due to an unrecognised home office ref no.
Neli
Hi there,I had my citizenship ceremony at 1st of Desmber 2021 and on the 5th I went abroad.I didn’t have any biometric residence permit and it is nothing for me to return right?
And also I didn’t apply for passport becouse it wasn’t enough time to do so
I travel with my Europien passport with no problem.
I am planing to comeback in UK in the Summer
I am wondering is there will be a problem for me to apply for passport after 6 mounts of my citizenship ceremony?
Thanks
A
Hi,
I have a travel document and I am a refugee. Can I travel with the travel document while waiting a decision on naturalisation? I am not sure if I can as a refugee with a travel document.
Tendai Mundicha
I travelled last year in November 2021 to South Africa with a Travel Document whilst awaiting the decision for my naturalisation no issues and got my citizenship approved in February 2022.
matthew
hi after my ceremony can I still travel/re-enter with my ilr stamp in my old passport
Tini
Hi
Is it true that after getting British citizenship you cannot stay Abroad for more than 2 years or citizenship will be revoked. Thanks
Thomas Chase
Hello Tini,
British citizens are free to be outside of the UK for as long as they wish.
The rule mentioned applied to those that hold indefinite leave to remain under the Immigration Rules.
Mari
Hello,
I returned my BRP after becoming a citizen. But it looks like my letter was lost:(
The tracking says “We’ve got it” for over 10 days. I definitely don’t want to pay a fine. Could you please recommend me what to do in such situation? Thank you in advance.
Happy holidays:)
Ale
I’m in the same situation. I’ve been checking the tracking for weeks and it doesn’t even say we’ve got it. Did yours arrive in the end?
Oz
Hi Thomas,
My wife recently got here Citizenship and i will be sending her BRP back within 5 days. however, we are due to fly out soon and wont have time to apply for a British Passport before we fly out. can she still travel without any hassle coming back in? will the certificate of naturalization and home office letter be enough?
wasim
No, She can not enter in UK with naturalisation certificate. You can find this information on Home office website.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain/after-you-get-your-certificate
Alejandra
Hi, Thomas.
I have the same situation now that you had 1 year ago, I just go British citizen but I already had airplanes tickets, I would like to know what did you do? Did you travel?
Kind regards
Chantell
Hi, we had our citizenship ceremony virtually on the 12 of October, my partner got a call the next day that his father is in critical condition and needs to get to south Africa immediately, we got him on a flight that night. We received our certificates 5 days later. He is returning next week on his residence permit, due to being unable to apply for a passport, is he going to face issues coming in through border patrol?
Mo
Hi There, can you please let me know if your partner was able to return with no issues? I am travelling soon and need to know if I can use my BRP
Thomas Chase
Hope your partner’s father is okay.
Yes, he will. When a person becomes a British citizen, they are no longer subject to immigration controls. And as such, they can no longer rely on the documents evidencing their former ILR status.
This is why the timing of attending the Citizenship ceremony is important.
Alvaro
Hi. Very useful information. I do have a question: I’ve been successful on my British Citizenship application. Do have my ceremony next week. I will have dual citizenship, the British and my original one. Can I still travel on my foreign passport whilst I wait to receive my first British one ?? I know that I need to return my BRP, but will be fine to show my Certificate of British Citizenship (the one I will receive after the ceremony) when re-entering the UK ?? Thanks in advance
Kankana
Hello
Hope you are well. Can you please let me know what documents are required for applying for the passport ?
Thank you
Kankana
Alina
Good morning,
would you please advise on what should be done if the local authority says that the invitation for naturalisation ceremony is expired though it is less than 6months from the issue date on Home Office letter (1st of September)? thank you
Thomas Chase
Hello Alina,
A person that had successfully applied to naturalise as a British citizen must book their citizenship ceremony within 3 months of the date of the Citizenship Invitation Letter.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the deadline for booking the ceremony was extended to 6 months with many local authorities moving the ceremonies from in-person events to virtual ones.
If for some reason, the person did not book the citizenship ceremony within the time stipulated within the Citizenship Invitation Letter, the person will be required to contact UKVI to explain the circumstances and to resolve the matter.
If an immigration adviser had assisted with the application to naturalise, that adviser may be best placed to make contact with UKVI.
HL
After the citizenship ceremony, is it only the BRP that needs returned? The Home Office email mentions returning ‘any other travel documents’, even expired ones. But I have no idea what that means. I do have an initial visa sticker in an old passport which is, I assume, what everyone gets before their BRP. Does that need sent as well? Thanks.
Jhen
Hi! I have a question. I recently had my ceremony and got the certificate for citizenship. I was just wondering If I can still use my overseas passport (philippines-valid till 2022) as a proof of identity. I have a exam that need to be book for next month. And I think, if I apply for british passport, I wont be able to get it on time as the processing will takes 6 weeks or even longer.
Thank you
Thomas Chase
Hello Jhen,
Congratulations on your citizenship.
In general, a settled person may use their passport (or Travel Document) and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to re-enter the UK.
Once the person attends their citizenship ceremony, where they will officially become a British citizen, the BRP will no longer reflect their immigration status.
As such, the person must return the BRP to UKVI and will be precluded from using the document any further. Instead, they will be expected to produce a British passport at the border.
Hope this helps.
Thomas Chase
Hello Michael,
It is not strictly necessary for UK passport holders to retain their certificate of naturalisation, though some clients prefer to keep the document for their records or for personal reasons.
If you would like to request a duplicate certificate of naturalisation, you may do so by completing Form NC – see link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-duplicate-citizenship-certificate-form-nc.
Applications can also be made online: https://www.gov.uk/get-replacement-citizenship-certificate.
There is a charge of £250.
All the best.
Fais
How long it takes to have one ? Please
Nithu
Hello Thomas,
I got my citizenship ceremony on the 15th August 2020, both my children took it with me but they’re dates on the certificate is February 2020.
I did not know I had to return my BRP and my children’s, I’m hoping to return them soon. Will there be any repercussions?
Thank you
Kava
I have been waiting for more the 6 months and I still haven’t got the letter yet please guys can you help me what can I do nexts it’s there possible to contact to home office
Thank
Thomas Chase
Hello. Please feel free to contact us on +44 (0) 203 488 1061 to find out how we can help you.
RM
Hi there I’ve just got my citizenship certificate and tomorrow I will send my BRP to the relevant address now what I wanna know about the first time passport is what is required cause as usual gov.co.uk is super vague about everything like running in circles so here’s what I got
1: 2 passport pictures = Done
2: Birth Certificate = Done
3: My Passport = Done
4: if I’m born on or after 1 January 1983 evidence of one parent’s British Nationality for example their U.K. Birth or Adoption,Naturalisation or registration certificate (now my father is still a Indian Citizens with indefinite leave to remain in the U.K. so he doesn’t wanna get a U.K. citizenship or a passport and my real mother is a citizen of USA they got divorced long time ago so my step mother is a U.K. Citizen but I don’t see why I have to provide that proof what if I got married to a Woman or a Man U know it’s a different world now then the Stone Age) why should they care about it and the other thing is it says “if these documents relate to your father, you must include the marriage certificate showing when he married your mother” or your New Mother why does it have to be the father it can be you’re mother married you’re new father…. sorry for venting out here cause I should be doing it to the home office people cause they always annoyed me during the whole process..
Stella Roos
Hi Thomas
I got British citizenship in December 2019 through my mom being British (UKM form).
I have not received back all my original documents, passports and certificates and now am extremely concerned.
I have tried to request document return on line but this form is not for people outside UK, when I follow steps for Outside UK goes back to the application site and when I call them they tell me they cannot help as they only assist with applications only. I have called several other lines including passport and no one can help??
I cannot apply for UK passport as they require some of above mentioned documents, and I cannot fly to UK to sort this out as I have no passport as it is sitting in the UKVI offices in Liverpool.
Please help, in limbo in South Africa.
Stella
raj
Hi Thomas,
Can I travel outside of UK (for a short visit of 15days) after applying for citizenship awaiting the letter from home office? I have ILR.
Thanks
Raj
Thomas Chase
Hello Raj,
Much will depend on the basis with which you hold ILR.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide specific advice in this forum. If in doubt, you may wish to contact UKVI.
Bilel
Yes you can as usually it will take more than 4 weeks to receive the letter from HO
Sunny
Hi Thomas
I will shortly attend my citizenship ceremony. After this, do i need to do another application for the British passport? I thought all was done online.
Thanks
Sunny
Thomas Chase
Hello Sunny,
That is correct. Applications for the first British passport are separate to the naturalisation process.
Applications can be made online at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport/apply-online.
U. Hashmi
Hello Thomas,
Can you give a brief about the Passport applying procedure after getting my naturalization done?
Also, I have an ILR for Europen Family Member
do I need to cut it and return it?
Thanks
Thomas Chase
We will be publishing a blog on passport applications soon.
Until then, details about the passport application process can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport.
Fefe
Hi, I do have a UK travel document do I have to return it to the home office as well as my BRP card.
Regards.
Thomas Chase
Hi Fefe. Home OFfice guidance refers to the return of the BRP.
Vuk
Hi,
Can one apply for passport and go to travel before it gets passport back proving that new passport will be send to him by friend?
Thanks
Rachel Ndema
I attended my British Citizen on 14/07/2019 and we were told that we will automatically receive our British passports within four weeks. I am going on holiday first week of September. Am I going to have my passport by then?
Thomas Chase
Hello Rachel,
In general, applications for the first British passport can take up to 6 weeks to process.
This application process is separate to the application to naturalise.
Karoly Szundi
Dear Thomas,
I became a British citizen yesterday, and I just heard -and read- that BRP must be returned within five days. I do not hold a BRP, however, I do hold a Permanent Residence Permit, which I got last year after 5 years spent here as an EU citizen. Am I correct to assume that I do not need to send back my PRP? Some people have suggested to me that I should do that saying that they phoned Home Office and were told to send it in as if it was BRP.
What is your take on this? Do you suggest I should send it or keep it? Thanks a lot!
Best regards
Karoly
Thomas Chase
Hello Karoly,
Congratulations on becoming a British citizen!
Unfortunately, we cannot provide specific advice in this forum.
If you have any concerns, we suggest that you contact UKVI on 0300 123 2253 or via email at nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Karoly Szundi
Thanks anyway!
Samer
Hi Thomas
What we have to do with the travel document after become British citizen
Thomas Chase
Hi Samer,
The Biometric Residence Permit must be cut into several pieces and returned to UKVI.
Full details can be found above.
Irene S.
Hi Karoly. Hope you are well. I’ve just read your query and I have exactly the same concern. I am currently European and have the blue permanent residence card. I will have my British ceremony soon to become British citizen as I received the letter recently but don’t know if I have to return the permanent residence card to Home Office within 5 days? I’ve never used this document for travelling just my European passport Ire it is neither a BRP nor a travelling document. I emailed Home Office but haven’t heard from them yet. Thank you very much in advance! Best regards, Irene S.
Irene S.
Hi Karoly. Hope you are well. I’ve just read your query and I have exactly the same concern, what did you do? I am currently European and have the blue permanent residence card. I will have my British ceremony soon to become British citizen as I received the letter recently but don’t know if I have to return the permanent residence card to Home Office after taking the Ceremony? I’ve never used this document for travelling just my European passport so I do not know it this is considered a travel document. I emailed Home Office some weeks ago but haven’t heard from them yet. Does anyone know if Europeans have to return the blue permanent residence card to Home Office or is not necessary? Thank you very much in advance ! Best regards, Irene S.
Zsuzsanna
Hi Thomas,
My citizenship ceremony will take place soon. Do I have to apply for my British passport straight away?
Or if I can wait with sending out my application form for a bit, is there a deadline?
Thanks.
Thomas Chase
Congratulations Zsuzsanna.
British citizens are not required to apply for a British passport.
So there is certainly no rush to apply for a passport.
derya
Hi,
I did’t know that the BRP card will be sent within five days. In the letter they didn’t mention 5 days. I sent my card 18 days later after ceremony. Will there be any problem?
Thanks in advance
Thomas Chase
Hello Derya,
There are unlikely to be any issues, as the document was returned to UKVI within a reasonable timeframe.
Jo-Ann Binns
So I’ve got a vignette in my passport for my indefinite leave to remain, not a BRP as I got my visa years ago! So does that mean that I CAN travel home to Canada after the citizenship ceremony while waiting for my British passport?? I don’t have a BRP to surrender and my vignette visa is in my expired passport. I think I’m in a fairly unique situation and can’t seem to find the answer. Thanks a lot!!
Thomas Chase
Hi Jo-Ann Binns,
When a person naturalises as a British citizen, they will become free from immigration control and entitled to automatically re-enter the UK.
If the person holds a BRP evidencing their previous indefinite status, they will be required to cut the BRP into pieces and return it to UKVI. Non-compliance can lead to a fine.
This is somewhat difficult when the person’s indefinite status takes the form of a visa vignette that was not transferred to a BRP. But the same principle applies – the person is not expected to rely on the visa vignette either.
By presenting the UK immigration official at the border with a BRP or visa vignette to gain entry to the UK, the person is effectively providing a document to which they are no longer entitled.
To avoid any issues, we suggest that the person delays attending the citizenship ceremony until after their travel. Alternatively, travel should be booked once the British passport has been secured.
Jo-Ann Binns
Thanks very much. It’s what I assumed as well. Surely all my details will be on line if I travel abroad, especially since we aren’t required to complete landing cards anymore. I’m going to ring the UKVI to get the full answer before I book anywhere 🙂
Ahmed Soliman
Hi,
what happened if you received your naturalization approval while you are already abroad, can you still enter the country, and what happen on that case since the ILR card will be invalid
Jade de Hutton
I am about to book my citizenship ceremony but travelling to france in sept. Do you know how long it takes to get a passport from there? I think i can still travel in my south african passport.
Thomas Chase
Hello Jade,
Applications for the first British passport can take up to 3 weeks.
Once a person attends the Citizenship Ceremony, and becomes a British citizen, they will no longer be entitled to use their Biometric Residence Permit to re-enter the UK.
As such, some people find it helpful to wait until their return from their travels, before attending the Citizenship Ceremony.
Aaa
Hi I have a question can I travel before booking the citizenship ceremony , as I have received invitation letter can you please tell me
Thankyou
Thomas Chase
UKVI guidance states that you must book the citizenship ceremony within 3 months of the invitation.
A person is able to travel before attending the ceremony. Once they attend and officially become a British citizenship, they should apply for a British passport to prove their right to re-enter the UK.
James
Hi I just got my British citizenship certificate and I’ve got dual nationality Nigeria and Britain can I travel with my Nigerian passport and British citizenship certificate without a visa to the UK
Ayo
”Can you attend the ceremony, receive your certificate of British citizenship, travel with your original overseas passport and re-enter the UK with your BRP? After all, the BRP will show that you are entitled to reside in the UK and hasn’t expired.
The firm answer is no.”
Vita
Hello, I have a question. I have a card of 6-pages of the Document Certifying Permanent Residence. Should I send it to the Home Office after i got a certificate of naturalization?
Thomas Chase
Hi Vita,
Unfortunately, we cannot answer specific questions in this forum.
To discuss further, you can arrange a 30-minute telephone consultation. This can be done via our Contact Page at https://www.thomaschaseimmigration.com/contact-us/ or via info@thomaschaseimmigration.com.
Patricia
Hello, my certificate of naturalisation was incorrect and have sent it back to be corrected.
Should I keep my BRP until I receive my amended certificate or should I send it back now?
Thanks
Patricia
Thomas Chase
Hi Patricia,
Naturalisation is a big step, so well done.
As soon as a person attends the ceremony and pledged their allegiance, they officially became a British citizen. As such, Biometric Residence Permit is no longer reflective of the person’s status and must be returned to the UL.
Hope that helps.
Patricia
Thanks Thomas.
As I sent my certificate to be amended , do you know how long it can take for it to be change and send back to me?
Many Thanks
Thomas Chase
Hi Patricia. Applications can take an average of 4 weeks to conclude.
Patricia
Thanks Thomas, do you know if I should receive a letter from them confirming that the change is in process?
Thanks
Patricia
MJ
Hi
Thanks for the info. I have a question though: i have an indefinite leave to remain (refugee status) and my British citizenship has just been approved. I know I need to return my BRP, but do I also need to return my Geneva convention travel document?
M
Thomas Chase
Hi M,
Glad the info is of help.
In general, a person holding indefinite leave to remain based on their refugee status may naturalise as a British citizen, subject to meeting the nationality requirements.
As to what happens to the person’s status following a successful application, the Home Office states that:
‘… if you are currently regarded as a refugee in the United Kingdom, you will lose that status if you naturalise as a British citizen.’
See page 3 of the Home Office’s guidance at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/794168/Guide_AN__Naturalisation_Booklet.pdf
Hope that helps.
Olga Ozola
Hello. I have question. The Document Certifying Permanent Residence? Is it the same as the BRP. Thank you
Thomas Chase
Hi Olga,
The document certifying your permanent residence status is different from the BRP.
However, the document evidences that you have ‘settlement’ status in the UK.
Qand Agha
reetings,
I need you guys advise.
I applied for naturalization in 20 Dec 2020, and got letter said below paragraph:
It is normal letter or not, anyone got same type of letter????????????
I scan these documents and upload online when I applied for the UK Citizenship
=====================================================================================
Thank you for your application for British Citizenship. We need further information to enable us to consider your application. Please send all the documents listed below to the following address:
UK Visas and Immigration
The Capital Building
Liverpool
L3 9PP
If you do not send this information by 02/04/2022 your application may be refused. Please include your name and our reference number in any correspondence to us.
Send your original below documents
1- Travel Document
2- English Language pass certificate
Your personal details
Please note if this application is successful, the certificate of British Citizenship will show the following details:
Name: ——————-
Name at birth: As Above
Date of Birth: ————
Place of Birth: ——–
If these details are incorrect, please inform us and send documentary evidence showing the correct details.
====================================================================================
Need your advise and texts