UK border no longer stamps foreign passport if UK passport also held
I am a UK citizen living abroad with my wife and child who hold foreign passports. My child also holds a UK passport as the dual nationality rules for children in his country of birth are a bit vague - current practice suggests that he is allowed to hold both foreign and UK up to the age of 21, after which he has to select a single nationality as his country of birth does not recognise dual nationality after that age.
When we entered the UK recently (with wife and child using foreign passports) the border official said that due to a rule change earlier this year she could no longer stamp my child's foreign passport because he also held a UK passport. She didn't even ask to see the physical UK passport as it appeared it was visible on her computer. This had not happened on previous visits.
While this is not an issue for staying in the UK, there is a concern that when he goes back to his country of birth the foreign border official may query how he entered the UK without a stamp on their foreign passport, potentially losing his original nationality and separating child from mother because of the dual nationality uncertainty.
Does anyone know of a specific link online to the 'rule change' the border official is referring to?
I am familiar with the suggestion at case 3 of the following link I have two passports/nationalities. How do I use them when I travel? Any other suggestions for future travels?
Best Answer
- It's an internal Border Force directive, which, to my understanding, was implemented in late spring 2018.
- Since Malaysians are visa-free for Schengen, the suggestion in case 3 would be your best bet, with a modification:
In both directions, connect in a Schengen country (or Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria or Cyprus), which don't stamp UK passports as UK citizens cannot overstay there.
On the outbound trip, your child should deliberately clear entry immigration in the Schengen country with the Malaysian passport (getting an entry stamp) and then "re-exit" with the UK passport.
Then on the return trip, enter the Schengen country (can be a different one) using the UK passport, then "re-exit" with the Malaysian one (your child will have an entry stamp and so not face any issues).
This is so that it will appear to Malaysia that your child has been in the Schengen Area ever since departing Malaysia (by following the posted suggestion, there will be a gap in dates)
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Will my UK passport be stamped after Brexit?
Under the new rules, Brits can travel to the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. And, unlike before Brexit, their passports will be stamped when they enter and leave Schengen countries.Do they no longer stamp passports?
Eventually, they completely stopped stamping altogether. Efficiency proved to be the biggest reason for their change. The new process could help reduce lines at immigration checkpoints and make it a smoother process for travelers.Can you hold 2 UK passports at the same time?
United Kingdom allows their citizens to hold second UK passport alongside their current passport. Individuals are allowed to use both these passports simultaneously. It should be noted that these passports will have two different passport numbers, and they are considered totally unique to each other.Does UK immigration stamp passport on entry?
If you use the e-gates to enter the UK, your passport will not be stamped. This means that you will not have an official record of the date that you entered the UK. You should therefore keep evidence of your date of entry to the UK (for example your flight ticket), because may need this later on.UK Nationals Travelling to the EU Post Brexit: Passport Stamps at EU Borders
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