Dual Passports AUS/UK

[Coverpoint]

Does anyone have any recent experience entering the UK on a British passport with family in tow who only have AU passports? Do we all get to use the EU line, all have to use the "Other" line or split up?

Thanks.

The practical answer is you all go through the EU line at the UK airport, as long as one parent at least has a UK passport. I'm not sure what the legal position is but the passport control people are very understanding about handling families after a long flight and it has never been a problem.

 

[Comoman]

Does anyone have any recent experience entering the UK on a British passport with family in tow who only have AU passports? Do we all get to use the EU line, all have to use the "Other" line or split up?

Thanks.

I did exactly that. I have UK passport and wife and kids Aus. We entered at both Heathrow and Gatwick and used the EU line with no problem. Just asked how long staying in UK for etc.

This was last November.

 

[prozac]

I was told by an immigration officer in Netherlands that mrs prozac traveling on an Aussie Pp should should join me in the EU queue.

 

[Coverpoint]

I was told by an immigration officer in Netherlands that mrs prozac traveling on an Aussie Pp should should join me in the EU queue.

Yes and I have had a similar issue when travelling with Mrs C through Seville - but never at LHR and never when with children.

 

[prozac]

Yes and I have had a similar issue when travelling with Mrs C through Seville - but never at LHR and never when with children.

I'd just drag 'em through in your slipstream.

 

[MelbMan]

Does anyone have any recent experience entering the UK on a British passport with family in tow who only have AU passports? Do we all get to use the EU line, all have to use the "Other" line or split up?

Thanks.

My wife has an EU and Aussie passport. When we reach the EU and she wishes to use the EU one we have to split up. As I only have an Aussie passport.

 

[amaroo]

I did exactly that. I have UK passport and wife and kids Aus. We entered at both Heathrow and Gatwick and used the EU line with no problem. Just asked how long staying in UK for etc.

This was last November.

I might try that for the next trip. I'm dual Oz & UK but have never bothered to use the UK passport.

 

[OATEK]

My wife has an EU and Aussie passport. When we reach the EU and she wishes to use the EU one we have to split up. As I only have an Aussie passport.

My wife has UK passport, and we usually look for an immigration officer at the back of the hall and ask if we can go through together. Never been knocked back at LHR, but once at LGW they made us both go through non-EU line.

 

[Mal]

It can be a complete mess.
I've been told off for not approaching immigration with travelling companions, and likewise been told off for approaching the EU queue with a travelling companion (I'm still on an Aussie passport).

It is a complete mess. But yes, as a family you should AFAIK approach the EU desk together.

 

[Robbi]

OK. I have no legal qualification. I can only tell you what I do with my dual passports and what I have done for several years. When I leave Australia, I use my Australian passport and I fill in my APIS form, which is taken at the airport, using my Australian passport details. When I enter the UK, I show my UK passport at Customs LHR but I don't have to hand in an APIS. Neither does my wife who uses an Australian passport with Riight of Abode. As far as I know, an APIS is only needed if a non EU passport is being used. When I return home, I use my Australian passport and I fill in the APIS to show that I am an Australian Resident returning to Australia. As far as I know, this is perfectly legal if you hold dual passports.

Same here.

 

[marki]

My wife has an EU and Aussie passport. When we reach the EU and she wishes to use the EU one we have to split up. As I only have an Aussie passport.

The problem here is that your wife won't ever get consular assistance. If it ever required

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The problem here is that your wife won't ever get consular assistance. If it ever required

Not sure I follow... here's the DFAT info on dual citizens... Australian consular services are available (first sentence, as bolded):

Getting help overseas

DFAT provides assistance to all Australians, including dual nationals, who find themselves in serious trouble overseas. However, we expect all Australians overseas to use the resources available to them before turning to the Australian government for assistance. Well-prepared and appropriately insured travellers can solve most problems themselves.
In your country of other nationality, you should first look to the services available to you, as a national of that country. You should seek assistance from local authorities or emergency services in the first instance.
The Consular Services Charter explains what the Australian Government can and cannot do to assist Australians overseas.


When Australian consular assistance is not available to dual nationals

Some countries do not recognise dual nationality. Such countries may not permit Australian consular officials to provide consular assistance to an Australian who is also considered a national of the country concerned.
If you travel on the passport of your other nationality, you may not be regarded as an Australian national by the country that you are visiting. This may also limit the assistance Australian consular officials are able to provide.
The extent to which we're able to help will be determined by the government of the country of your other nationality.

Source: https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/dual-nationals.html

 

[prozac]

Not my experience in Netherlands where border control is happy to have mrs prozac accompany me through arrival and departure. I know this for sure as we nearly had an argument about it so I asked the immigration officer what the procedure should be. To mrs prozac's chagrin he expressed we should remain together in the EU line.

 

[OATEK]

Not my experience in Netherlands where border control is happy to have mrs prozac accompany me through arrival and departure. I know this for sure as we nearly had an argument about it so I asked the immigration officer what the procedure should be. To mrs prozac's chagrin he expressed we should remain together in the EU line.

Yes we have had the same in UK. Yes Mr and Mrs OATEK, you should go through together.

 

[Coverpoint]

Does anyone have any recent experience entering the UK on a British passport with family in tow who only have AU passports? Do we all get to use the EU line, all have to use the "Other" line or split up?

Thanks.

Technically, only EU passports and those with passports showing a UK Right of Abode can use the UK/EU line. As a result, Ms Coverpoint paid for a R of A and has no problem entering with me.
However, we have found the Immigration Officials to be very tolerant when children are travelling with a parent with different passports.
my advice: Simply go, with confidence and charm, to the EU passport control area, showing your UK passport first and then those of the rest of the family. We have never had any trouble with entry to the UK using this method with dual passports. However, .... Be prepared to be rejected and start from scratch or, if you are unwilling to chance it, split the family - sometimes the nonEU line is shorter anyway.

 

[Deleted member]

I would think the customs & immigration people would be suspicious if you split up ?

 

[marki]

Not sure I follow... here's the DFAT info on dual citizens... Australian consular services are available (first sentence, as bolded):



Source: https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/dual-nationals.html

It makes it harder to get consular help if you are a citizen of that country and you entered that country on its (countries) passport. ( but obviously not impossible) thanks for that MEL_Traveller.

If you entered the country on a Australian Passport the odds are in more in your favor ..... From the previous experiences I have read about.

Also may effect any insurance coverage too? Not sure though about this.

 

[OzEire]

Consular staff have no idea how you enter the (foreign) country. If you seek assistance at an Australian embassy, and your hold Australian citizenship, then it will be provided.

Granted, if you are a citizen/resident of the country, then why go to the Embassy? Chances are you would get more help by going to the local authorities. But your right to seek consular help remains (and is useful if the authorities are the problem).

 

[marki]

Consular staff have no idea how you enter the (foreign) country. If you seek assistance at an Australian embassy, and your hold Australian citizenship, then it will be provided.

Granted, if you are a citizen/resident of the country, then why go to the Embassy? Chances are you would get more help by going to the local authorities. But your right to seek consular help remains (and is useful if the authorities are the problem).

Hang hang on a second Consular staff do have an idea your passport ...... There usually be a stamp ( from immigration) there when you enter the said country!

 

[prozac]

Hang hang on a second Consular staff do have an idea your passport ...... There usually be a stamp ( from immigration) there when you enter the said country!

No. Do you have your Aussie Pp stamped when entering or leaving Oz? Why then would your Euro Union Pp be stamped entering the Euro Union?