53sunset Posted July 17, 2018 #1 Share Posted July 17, 2018 My husband has dual citizenship, British and American and I have American citizenship. Was hoping someone else with the same circumstance has been through Border Control when you arrive at Heathrow, We've always went to the non EU line but the last time my husband was asked why he didn't use his British passport. We would love to try going through the EU line with him using his British passport but didn't know if they would also let me go through the line since I'm an American citizen. The EU line is always so much shorter than the non EU line. Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globaliser Posted July 17, 2018 #2 Share Posted July 17, 2018 My husband has dual citizenship, British and American and I have American citizenship. Was hoping someone else with the same circumstance has been through Border Control when you arrive at Heathrow, We've always went to the non EU line but the last time my husband was asked why he didn't use his British passport. We would love to try going through the EU line with him using his British passport but didn't know if they would also let me go through the line since I'm an American citizen. The EU line is always so much shorter than the non EU line.You should be fine to use the EU queue together as you're married. But the immigration officer was entirely correct to ask the question of your husband. There's no reason why he can't use his British passport if he's with you in the non-EU queue, and there are many good reasons why he should. I've done this on many occasions over the years, accompanying other people who have to use the non-EU queue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisiamc Posted July 18, 2018 #3 Share Posted July 18, 2018 We have the same thing thing in reverse. I have a US and a UK passport, and I use the US passport when I travel to the USA. DH has a British passport. Whichever queue we go through together in a US airport, we’re told to use the other one next time. :confused: Maybe they’re a bit more consistent in the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare gnome12 Posted July 18, 2018 #4 Share Posted July 18, 2018 I believe that if you are a citizen of a country you are supposed to use that passport to enter the country. As someone with only one passport I can’t vouch for it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globaliser Posted July 18, 2018 #5 Share Posted July 18, 2018 I believe that if you are a citizen of a country you are supposed to use that passport to enter the country.Some countries have this specific rule. The USA is one. The UK is not - but there are still good reasons to use the UK passport to enter the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer Posted July 18, 2018 #6 Share Posted July 18, 2018 (edited) Hi, Ask the correct people https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-border-agency You will get the correct answer Pete Edited July 18, 2018 by Enforcer Spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisiamc Posted July 18, 2018 #7 Share Posted July 18, 2018 Unless we’re looking at totally different pages, that link doesn’t address which queue to stand in, it’s just really general info about applying for a passport or a visa. The OP comes into and goes out of the UK with all paperwork in order, as I read it, and is just wondering which queue for a couple consisting of one UK citizen and one US citizen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
53sunset Posted July 18, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted July 18, 2018 Unless we’re looking at totally different pages, that link doesn’t address which queue to stand in, it’s just really general info about applying for a passport or a visa. The OP comes into and goes out of the UK with all paperwork in order, as I read it, and is just wondering which queue for a couple consisting of one UK citizen and one US citizen. That's correct, I looked at the link and it doesn't specify which queue we should get in. In the past we've always gone in the non EU queue but my DH was questioned about why he didn't use his British passport. They didn't tell us if we could have gone in the EU queue line or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer Posted July 19, 2018 #9 Share Posted July 19, 2018 That's correct, I looked at the link and it doesn't specify which queue we should get in. In the past we've always gone in the non EU queue but my DH was questioned about why he didn't use his British passport. They didn't tell us if we could have gone in the EU queue line or not. Did you email the UK Border Agency and ask the question as it is something they will be able to answer not lay persons on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globaliser Posted July 19, 2018 #10 Share Posted July 19, 2018 Did you email the UK Border Agency and ask the question as it is something they will be able to answer not lay persons on this forum.I admire the optimism about whether a simple email query will produce an answer about this that's any more reliable than the personal real-life experiences of those who've actually done it themselves at Heathrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
53sunset Posted July 20, 2018 Author #11 Share Posted July 20, 2018 You should be fine to use the EU queue together as you're married. But the immigration officer was entirely correct to ask the question of your husband. There's no reason why he can't use his British passport if he's with you in the non-EU queue, and there are many good reasons why he should. I've done this on many occasions over the years, accompanying other people who have to use the non-EU queue. Thanks for your reply, I think we'll try the EU queue, the worst that could happen is they make me go in the non-EU queue. If they do my DH can go ahead and get our luggage while he waits for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilbeachTraveller Posted July 24, 2018 #12 Share Posted July 24, 2018 I have dual citizenship (Canada & UK) with a British spouse. I use my UK passport to enter but the EU queue mainly uses reading machines now so you may not be able to use that. There is usually someone at passport control who will be able to direct you to the line you should be in. I've just returned from Canada to Gatwick and the EU queue was all reading machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thejuggler Posted July 25, 2018 #13 Share Posted July 25, 2018 I was at Manchester airport, UK earlier this week in the EU queue. A husband and wife were behind me. She had a UK passport, her husband was Israeli. He was sent to the non EU passport area, because of course he didn't have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylizcat Posted July 25, 2018 #14 Share Posted July 25, 2018 There is a report in today’s paper that the boss of London Heathrow Airport thinks that Americans should be allowed to use the passport control e-gates currently used by UK and EU passport holders, in order to speed things up. So the situation might change! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeseclan Posted July 26, 2018 #15 Share Posted July 26, 2018 There is a report in today’s paper that the boss of London Heathrow Airport thinks that Americans should be allowed to use the passport control e-gates currently used by UK and EU passport holders, in order to speed things up. So the situation might change! Can they do this by next week ? ;p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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