Entering the UK- or going to happen now

Speaking as the mum of a DD who married an Aussie and has lived there longer than she lived in this country, (she has British and Aussie passports).

We visited them last year, first time since Covid, and the information we had to supply to get our ETA’s was much more involved than the previous times we went.

Passports, birth certificates, I think marriage certificate as well, photos…

When I told DD, she said if it got us our visa, did it matter?

It was quite comprehensive for just a family visit, but perhaps that’s why Australia’s borders are a different kettle of fish to the UK!

Calendargirl

Speaking as the mum of a DD who married an Aussie and has lived there longer than she lived in this country, (she has British and Aussie passports).

We visited them last year, first time since Covid, and the information we had to supply to get our ETA’s was much more involved than the previous times we went.

Passports, birth certificates, I think marriage certificate as well, photos…

When I told DD, she said if it got us our visa, did it matter?

It was quite comprehensive for just a family visit, but perhaps that’s why Australia’s borders are a different kettle of fish to the UK!

I thought biometric passports meant the ETA for Australia was really straightforward. I wonder why it isn’t?

I think the whole point is that Nanna's grandchildren who have never claimed British citizenship would like to travel to UK and the rest of Europe on their Australian passports accompanied by the much cheaper ETAs, just like other Australian citizens can. They had no interest or desire to apply for British passports or citizenship but are being told they have to if they want to travel to the UK. It does seem bizarre.

The Past
UK entry statistics have been reasonably solid for controlled migrants but miss some groups. Exit statistics have historically suffered from significant data gaps and quality issues.

The Present
Recent digital changes like the ETA and digital visas are improving the raw data available, which should lead to better statistical matching over time.

The Future
Full and accurate count of people leaving the UK depends on ongoing digital border developments and better integration of all travel modes.

I would call that good governance.

If posters want to posit the position that members of the RF are entitled to privacy, then they should make it clear what areas of their lives this covers on a thread focusing on contact with JE.

Whoops wrong thread 😂😂

Mamie

Allira

nanna8

I’d love to know how my grandchildren are listed at British . You tell me. Quite frightening really, Big Brother and all that. Their mother was born in the UK and left aged 1 . Why should I renounce Britishness ? I was born there. Anyway it is immaterial because we won’t be going there. The girls will,though and then round Europe. They are coughing up their $ 500 even though they had already paid for an entry visa anyway. I don’t like some of the comments here and didn’t realise just how rude some are. Life I suppose, I tell myself to get used to it. And, just for the record, I love the UK ,just not the government and the bureaucracy. Don’t like that here, either.

It is dependent upon when they were born, apparently.
Designed to confuse 😀

www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-british-parent/born-on-or-after-1-july-2006

I had already read that link about six times and still can't work out the status of my granddaughter. Born 2008, British father living and working in Spain for 10 years, Spanish mother, parents married. Never applied for British citizenship. Is she or isn't she?

14 pages and we're still confused! 😂

Perhaps that just applies to Commonwealth countries, Mamie

I'll read more of the link.

but your opening racist remark about Calais probably alerted a lot of people (me included ) to be on guard

racist?

It is delineating the line between illegal and legal entry to a country.
There are, of course, many other illegal immigrants who enter in different way or overstay their visas. Some are European.

This is why some of the new rules for visas introduced overnight last year caused chaos, confusion and distress to some, when their families had to cancel planned visits because of a decision designed to show that the Government were tackling illegal immigration.

It was ridiculous.

Calendargirl

Speaking as the mum of a DD who married an Aussie and has lived there longer than she lived in this country, (she has British and Aussie passports).

We visited them last year, first time since Covid, and the information we had to supply to get our ETA’s was much more involved than the previous times we went.

Passports, birth certificates, I think marriage certificate as well, photos…

When I told DD, she said if it got us our visa, did it matter?

It was quite comprehensive for just a family visit, but perhaps that’s why Australia’s borders are a different kettle of fish to the UK!

We've always had to supply passport details - surely that gives them all the information they need?

Marriage and birth certificates? 😲

Rosie51

I think the whole point is that Nanna's grandchildren who have never claimed British citizenship would like to travel to UK and the rest of Europe on their Australian passports accompanied by the much cheaper ETAs, just like other Australian citizens can. They had no interest or desire to apply for British passports or citizenship but are being told they have to if they want to travel to the UK. It does seem bizarre.

If an Australian citizen has never obtained dual UK/Australian citizenship, they follow the standard process for Australians visiting the UK.

If they do have dual nationality, they are responsible for gathering the correct documentation as described on this thread.

This is straightforward, and there should be no need to overcomplicate it.

Including extraneous or political details in a question can confuse both the asker and those trying to help. Clear, focused questions are easier to answer and making people feel you have insulted the country they live in is not the best way to get help.

Clear, focused questions are easier to answer and making people feel you have insulted the country they live in is not the best way to get help.

I think it was directed at these new rules introduced by the Government which have indeed been confusing for many.
The people I mentioned were upset and enraged at the new rules brought in overnight.

Strange how posters think they can criticise their own country and Government about anything and everything but, as soon as a British person living overseas does so, the hackles rise and posters become defensive.

It's a strange phenomenon.

Rosie51

I think the whole point is that Nanna's grandchildren who have never claimed British citizenship would like to travel to UK and the rest of Europe on their Australian passports accompanied by the much cheaper ETAs, just like other Australian citizens can. They had no interest or desire to apply for British passports or citizenship but are being told they have to if they want to travel to the UK. It does seem bizarre.

It would seem simple and sensible, especially as they did not ask to be British citizens but are by default if they were born from 2006 onwards - and have to pay to relinquish their citizenship!

Allira

^Clear, focused questions are easier to answer and making people feel you have insulted the country they live in is not the best way to get help.^

I think it was directed at these new rules introduced by the Government which have indeed been confusing for many.
The people I mentioned were upset and enraged at the new rules brought in overnight.

Strange how posters think they can criticise their own country and Government about anything and everything but, as soon as a British person living overseas does so, the hackles rise and posters become defensive.

It's a strange phenomenon.

I don’t think it’s strange /- I think it’s like your own family, you can criticise them but woe betide anyone else who does. Living overseas for 50 years imo means you’re not in the family in any meaningful sense.

Allira

^Clear, focused questions are easier to answer and making people feel you have insulted the country they live in is not the best way to get help.^

I think it was directed at these new rules introduced by the Government which have indeed been confusing for many.
The people I mentioned were upset and enraged at the new rules brought in overnight.

Strange how posters think they can criticise their own country and Government about anything and everything but, as soon as a British person living overseas does so, the hackles rise and posters become defensive.

It's a strange phenomenon.

I understand that the new rules have caused frustration and confusion, and it’s natural for people to feel strongly about changes that affect them. My point wasn’t about criticism of the government regarding the new rules, but about the tone and focus of questions. Practical, well-phrased questions make it easier for others to help.

I suppose - we know someone who always criticised everyone else's children (his own were perfect!).
It did make tge hackles rise!

But then it's slightly different if the person is criticising a country they knew well and see it going downhill.
It has been going downhill for very many years, let's face it.

I don’t think it’s strange /- I think it’s like your own family, you can criticise them but woe betide anyone else who does. Living overseas for 50 years imo means you’re not in the family in any meaningful sense.

Oh great! So you're saying nanna8, mamie me, just to mention a few on this thread, have no worthwhile significance and should be thrown on the dunghill! Just because we have lived abroad for a few decades we should now be estranged from our country family of origin! Crikey!

MartavTaurus

^I don’t think it’s strange /- I think it’s like your own family, you can criticise them but woe betide anyone else who does. Living overseas for 50 years imo means you’re not in the family in any meaningful sense.^

Oh great! So you're saying nanna8, mamie me, just to mention a few on this thread, have no worthwhile significance and should be thrown on the dunghill! Just because we have lived abroad for a few decades we should now be estranged from our country family of origin! Crikey!

Sometimes a person who has lived overseas has much more idea about the changes that have taken place and perhaps not always for the better although many are.

For those who live here permanently the changes take place slowly and they may not realise just how different everything is.

Also when you're abroad you are inevitably detached, so you see things in a different light, often more objectively. You almost have a better understanding of the bigger picture than those living back home.

MartavTaurus

Also when you're abroad you are inevitably detached, so you see things in a different light, often more objectively. You almost have a better understanding of the bigger picture than those living back home.

I’m not sure about that.

If you’re not in the country you can only go by what other people tell you - whether it’s media or people you know.

That doesn’t actually give you a balanced view, I think.

I mean there’s nanna all wound up about her granddaughters coming to dangerous Britain, while tens of millions of us all trot about about our everyday business, with no more than a minor irritation when someone accidentally gets in our way on the pavement 🤔

True. I get your point, Lathyrus3.
But my experience was that friends back in the UK used to go on about their own town, local school, buses, crime, etc, without looking more widely at the bigger picture. Of course, it's only natural to live somewhat in your own local bubble, whereas from a distance, the nationwide information you collate is maybe less biased because you have no emotional attachment.
🤔

I think it can depend on how you express your view and also if you accept that where you are isn't perfect.

Alliera

Oh great! So you're saying nanna8, mamie me, just to mention a few on this thread, have no worthwhile significance and should be thrown on the dunghill! Just because we have lived abroad for a few decades we should now be estranged from our country family of origin! Crikey!
Sometimes a person who has lived overseas has much more idea about the changes that have taken place and perhaps not always for the better although many are.

For those who live here permanently the changes take place slowly and they may not realise just how different everything is

What I am saying is that you are not invested in the UK as I am. I’ve contributed economically and in many many other ways over the years 60 years. Where did I say you should be thrown in the dung hill? Stop making things up . And how incredibly patronising to say people like me don’t realise how different things are? I know because I live it and experience it every day. Amazing arrogance.

In the end the rules change. My husband was affected by changes to entitlement to British nationality in the 80s. He came here from the commonwealth in 1948, he was British. In the 80s he found out he needed to sort out his British nationality ie. get a passport or he would lose it. He was furious, refused to do it which would mean if he missed the deadline he'd have to apply to be naturalised. I persuaded him to get his passport, it wasn't a battle he was going to win and he did it. He's forgotten all about it so yes it annoyed him but as time passes it just fades. People who didn't know about it and missed the deadline have had bugger problems.

Lathyrus3

MartavTaurus
Also when you're abroad you are inevitably detached, so you see things in a different light, often more objectively. You almost have a better understanding of the bigger picture than those living back home.
I’m not sure about that.

If you’re not in the country you can only go by what other people tell you - whether it’s media or people you know.

That doesn’t actually give you a balanced view, I think.

I mean there’s nanna all wound up about her granddaughters coming to dangerous Britain, while tens of millions of us all trot about about our everyday business, with no more than a minor irritation when someone accidentally gets in our way on the pavement 🤔

Excellent post. The idea that lived experience is less important than second hand views gleaned from a variety of subjective sources. Detached? I don’t think so. Out of touch ? Definitely and all the more scarey because you don’t realise it

Lathyrus3

MartavTaurus

Also when you're abroad you are inevitably detached, so you see things in a different light, often more objectively. You almost have a better understanding of the bigger picture than those living back home.

I’m not sure about that.

If you’re not in the country you can only go by what other people tell you - whether it’s media or people you know.

That doesn’t actually give you a balanced view, I think.

I mean there’s nanna all wound up about her granddaughters coming to dangerous Britain, while tens of millions of us all trot about about our everyday business, with no more than a minor irritation when someone accidentally gets in our way on the pavement 🤔

I suppose it depends where they go.

I doubt any Australian visitors (apart from my own) would bother to come here.

My DC only told me about some of their hair-raising escapades when travelling years later (thank goodness).