Exciting news today: I finally got a British passport! It’s been seven years this month since I started the UK immigration process, and today it’s finished. I couldn’t be happier. If you’re curious, read on to find out how to get a British passport.
How to Get a British Passport
One of the reasons I’m so happy is because the UK passport application process was a nightmare.
I applied for my British passport at the end of May, right before I found out there was a massive backlog of passport applications at the Home Office.
It made the news a number of times over the next few weeks, and what should have been a two-week process became an eight-week one (first-time British passport applicants can’t apply for fast-track service, either).
On top of it all, I had to mail my US passport in with the application. That meant I was unable to leave the country for seven weeks while I waited for the Passport Office to mail it back.
Given I’m a professional travel blogger, it wasn’t exactly ideal.
But I finally got my British passport, and I’m excited to have a maroon one to match my blue one. I can’t wait to use it for the first time and experience the joy of not having to wait in the excruciatingly long non-EU passport lines at Heathrow.
It will also be nice to travel visa-free to more countries than I can with my US passport.
It’s hard to believe that after seven long years of UK visas, Indefinite Leave to Remain, British citizenship, and now a British passport, I’m finally done with the British immigration process.
I can’t say it’s been a pleasant one, what with the rules constantly changing and the fees getting exponentially higher with every renewal.
But I can say it has been worth every minute and every pound. I’m happy to call London home, and relieved to be able to do so without worrying about having to leave someday.
Well, except to travel, which I plan to do a lot more now that I have dual citizenship and a second passport.
I hope this guide has helped you understand how to get a British passport (or at least how I did), and that you can get one yourself someday if you want to.
Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!
New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.
Pin it!
54 Comments on Lady’s Guide to How to Get a British Passport
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Congratulations!!
Thanks Bailie!
Congratulations lovely! The city has a brand new Londoner! 😀
Cx
Thanks Caroline!
Dual citizenship!! That is so exciting. Congratulations! I will admit I’m envious at the thought of belonging so completely to London… although I don’t think I have the seven years to spare at the moment! You’re a trooper for sure 🙂
Thanks Julie!
Congratulations!! That is so exciting (and definitely worth the 7 years!)
Thanks!
Congrats Julie! Must be a wonderful feeling 🙂 Hope you poured yourself a nice glass of Pimms (or champagne) to celebrate!
Thanks Jess! There have been a few celebratory drinks, but there can always be more!
Congratulations! Dual nationality is a dream of mine so I can imagine how happy you must be 🙂
Thanks! It’s a great feeling to finally have dual citizenship!
Yeah!! You’re one of us now!
Yeah!
Congratulations on the golden EU passport!
Thanks!
Congratulations 🙂 Britain is certainly lucky to have you 🙂
Jenna
Thanks Jenna!
Ahh congrats! Hopefully I can take this same picture eventually 🙂
Thanks! I hope you can, too!
Living the dream – go Julie! Hip hip, hooray! Hip hip, hooray!
Thanks Kate!
Congrats! Some day that will be me! I’d like to have that maroon passport too!
Thanks! I hope that day comes for you soon!
Congrats on your passport and citizenship!
Thanks Bethany!
…CONGRATULATIONS–it must be awesome to have 2 official home bases!!…
Thanks Betty! It’s a great feeling!
Congrats! I’m planning to get my masters in London and use my U.S teaching credential to get work. Do you know the possibility of having an American teach and being able to stay?
Thanks Lori! I don’t know anyone from the US that has been able to use an American teaching credential here, but I’m not very familiar with the rules.
Congrats Julie!!
Thanks Pam!
Wow, this is just awesome and so happy for you!! That must have been a bit unnerving to be without any passport for 7 weeks! Very nice on the dual citizenship…I’ve been learning about which countries you can and can not do that in. I also didn’t know about visa-free part! Have a great week 🙂
Thanks Mike! It’s really exciting!
Congratulations! I’m just starting my UK residency ordeal. I’m currently in NZ waiting for a UK spouse visa to come through. I cant wait till its all over. It must be the biggest relief and best feeling 🙂
Thanks Meghann! It’s definitely a big relief. I hope yours comes through soon!
Yay, congrats on the British passport! Must be exciting to have the option of flashing either red OR blue when going through lines!:-)
Thanks! It is really exciting!
ha – excellent news! Bet the wait was painful! I was equally glad to get mine through today… its my third in a lifetime – but with the passport problems of the summer – I was a tad relieved to finally get it back! Welcome officially!
Thanks Kirsten! I’m glad you got yours back, too!
i saw your post on facebook about your new passport, well done on staying for 7 years ! It will def make travel a lot easier in Europe 🙂
Thanks Jasmine! I’m looking forward to easier European travel now!
Congrats – how lucky to call London home!
Thanks!
Woo, congratulations!!! Get using it as soon as , I look forward to a whole new chapter of adventure.
S xo.
Thanks Sammy! Will do!
Congratulations! So exciting. I can relate to you because we had an immigration procedure for Canada and two years ago I got my Canadian passport. It was shorter though – it took us 4 years in total 🙂
That’s great! Congratulations!
Oh it sounds like a very tedious process but I can image how much a relief it must be to be over!
Congratulations.
Thanks! It’s a huge relief!
One of us! ONE OF US! 😀
So happy for you, I can’t believe it took you so long!
Thanks Sara! I can’t believe how long it took, either. I’m so glad it’s done!
Congratulations! I just moved to the UK on a Tier 4 (Student) Visa as I’m studying for my Master’s, and reading about your journey makes me realize I only hit the tip of the iceberg haha. The visa process is certainly not for the weak….
Thanks! Good luck!