British Overseas Citizen Passport

[gollywood]

I'm posting on behalf of a good friend - hope someone can provide a response:-

My 88 year old grandmother travelled from Pakistan in December 2007 to England with myself.

At the Airport in Karachi, Pakistan, she was told that she could not travel to the UK on her passport (even thought it still had 5 years validity remaining). I was told she did not have the neccessary 'stamps' in her passport.

My understanding was that she had a British passport so could travel.

Eventually, with 30 mins remaining to departure, they agreed to let her travel as long as I bought a return ticket.

Once arriving in the UK, we had the same hassel at London Heathrow - but they let her through after we showed them our return tkt.

I work abroad and only returned back to the UK last week, hence this delay in seeking advice.

I have a few questions:-

1) Why were the Pak authorities refusing to let her travel
2) What is a British Overseas Citizen Passport?
3) What were the UK authorities looking for on the passport?
4) Why did they let her travel if she was initially being refused
5) Is there a time limit on how long she should be here?
6) Does she have any recourse to public funds


Many thanks for you time and assistance in this matter - apologies for appearing on the thick side, but I've never hadto deal with any immigration type of issue before - and never travelled with anyone holding this type of passport.

[gollywood]

(Like I stated, I'm posting on behalf of a good family friend, and will get him to provide any further details should you require them)

[JAJ]

What exact passport does she have (you didn't say specifically) and how did she get it?

Is she a citizen of any other country?

[gollywood]

What exact passport does she have (you didn't say specifically) and how did she get it?

Is she a citizen of any other country?

THanks JAJ

- She has a British Overseas Citizen Passport [Valid for 10 years]
- Moved from Kenya to UK
- Has had this type of passport for about 20 years+
- She also has a Pakistani passport (Dual National)

Spends half the year in Pakistan, and the other in UK amongst her family in both countries.

[PaperPusher]

gollywood

Is there a stamp in the passport?

If there is a stamp that would answer the question about length of stay & access to public funds.

See Immigration Rules Part 1 for more info about BOC who come as visitors - does this apply?

I am no good at nationality law, I'll leave it to others, but here is a PDF:
General Information about British Overseas Citizenship

PP

(edited because forgot PDF link)

[gollywood]

gollywood

Is there a stamp in the passport?

If there is a stamp that would answer the question about length of stay & access to public funds.

See Immigration Rules Part 1 for more info about BOC who come as visitors - does this apply?

I am no good at nationality law, I'll leave it to others, but here is a PDF:
General Information about British Overseas Citizenship

PP

(edited because forgot PDF link)

I'll ask my friend to email me a copy of her passport - thanks.

[JAJ]

A British Overseas Citizen passport does not give a right of abode in the United Kingdom.

[gollywood]

OK gents, got hold of this UK Passport.

On Page 32 is typed "THE HOLDER IS ENTITLED TO RE-ADMISSION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM"

And thats about it! No more information.

-Quite a few Exit' stamps from various journeys from Pakistan

-According to the passports, my friend's grandmother travels to the UK on the UK passport over the last 5-6 years, but all her return journey's to Pakistan have been on her Pakistani passport.

-It doesnt state anywhere how long she can remain in the UK - no date stamp etc.

WHat should he read into this? Does she have to return within 6 months etc etc etc.

Any other implications?

[JAJ]

OK gents, got hold of this UK Passport.

On Page 32 is typed "THE HOLDER IS ENTITLED TO RE-ADMISSION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM"

And thats about it! No more information.

-Quite a few Exit' stamps from various journeys from Pakistan

-According to the passports, my friend's grandmother travels to the UK on the UK passport over the last 5-6 years, but all her return journey's to Pakistan have been on her Pakistani passport.

-It doesnt state anywhere how long she can remain in the UK - no date stamp etc.

WHat should he read into this? Does she have to return within 6 months etc etc etc.

Unlike others, British Overseas citizens who are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain are allowed to keep that status if living overseas.

So there should be no problem in her travelling to the U.K. with this passport as many times as she likes.

I see no reason why a return ticket should have been necessary.

How long did she live in the United Kingdom for?

[gollywood]

JAJ

Apparently his grandmother has travelled on this passport a dozen times - and there has never been an issue at the airports.

Perhaps the Airport authorities simply missed or failed to understand this line:

"THE HOLDER IS ENTITLED TO RE-ADMISSION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM"

Next question - does she have recousre to public funds if she had to? e.g Council tax benefit / Winter fuel allowance ? DLA & Incapacity Benefit etc etc

[penanglad]

She does - she is essentially has no limitations on her residence in the UK.

[gollywood]

She does - she is essentially has no limitations on her residence in the UK.

Thank you for that.

Any reason why the Airport authorities made them buy a return tkt and gave them so much grief?

[JAJ]

Any reason why the Airport authorities made them buy a return tkt and gave them so much grief?

Not understanding the law?

[gollywood]

Any reason why the Airport authorities made them buy a return tkt and gave them so much grief?

Not understanding the law?

Well their failure to understand their own laws cost my friend £300 - and when he tried to get a refund, the airline kept 30%!!!

Expensive and stressful!

Thanks again for your help guys.

[JAJ]

Well their failure to understand their own laws cost my friend £300 - and when he tried to get a refund, the airline kept 30%!!!

Has he lodged a formal complaint with the airline?

[gollywood]

Well their failure to understand their own laws cost my friend £300 - and when he tried to get a refund, the airline kept 30%!!!

Has he lodged a formal complaint with the airline?

I asked - he says he hasnt because Pakistani airlines are a nightmare to deal with if you value your sanity, you avoid them!

[penanglad]

To be fair, even many UK immigration officers don't understand how to deal with BOCs with right of readmission. It would be clearer if the endorsement said "Holder has the right to readmission to the UK without conditions"

[Christophe]

To be fair, even many UK immigration officers don't understand how to deal with BOCs with right of readmission. It would be clearer if the endorsement said "Holder has the right to readmission to the UK without conditions"

I suppose so... but it's not really very complicated! Hey ho...