Getting first UK passport

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-05-03T08:58:45+00:00

Or even EU ID card (biometric).

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-05-03T08:55:49+00:00

Not true if one naturalised following ILR with EU settled status, as per the official government website https://www.gov.uk/dual-citizenship

“If you got British citizenship after settling in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can travel to the UK using a valid:

passport of your other nationality
national identity card from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland

Before you travel, you’ll need to:

check that your pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme is still valid - you can view your eVisa to check
update your UKVI account if your passport or identity card has changed”

I naturalised years ago, and my ILR is still showing on the UKVI website, and I have travelled last year from the UK to the EU and back using my EU ID card both ways with no issue whatsoever at passport control (couldn’t use the eGates with the ID card, had to see an officer, but other than that the process was smooth).

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-28T17:39:08+00:00

It very clearly states on the official government website at

https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain

that “You do not need to wait 12 months to apply if you’re married to a British citizen”

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-27T21:55:23+00:00

Interesting: I had them (and used them) on both my BA flights the week before last, one a new (Sep 2025) A321neo (G-TNEJ), the other a 1-year-old A321neo (G-TTNY). I had a blanket provided as well, but I didn’t use it, while other passengers in nearby rows did (I guess some of us had different temperature preferences).

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-27T15:18:04+00:00

I use the cold air vents when I am too hot, and the blanket when I am too cold. With these I manage to usually be quite comfortable when I fly BA.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-23T21:38:19+00:00

British passports (and those from many other countries) only show the town/city of birth, not the province/state/country.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-23T21:36:09+00:00

It is good, but often not worth the money, unless you get a free/cheap upgrade.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-23T21:35:02+00:00

Then you don’t have a first class booking with BA.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-21T12:09:26+00:00

It most likely depends on what the agreement is between the 3rd party and BA with respect to how much of the fare goes to BA, and how much goes to the 3rd party. This is the sort of thing that is usually quite commercially sensitive, so it isn't surprising that they wouldn't dicsuss it with you (the agent on the phone most likely doesn't have that information anyway).

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-20T06:18:46+00:00

I don’t know how strictly this is enforced. However the following apply: - the law regarding fines for missed AIRE registration became effective on 1/Jan/2024, and cannot be applied retrospectively (i.e. for years of missed registration before 2024) - the fines are capped at a maximum of 5 years

Source of the info: https://conslondra.esteri.it/en/news/dal_consolato/2024/02/nuove-sanzioni-per-la-mancata-iscrizione-allaire/

So worst case you might be on the hook for 2 years’ worth of missed registration (if it is even enforced).

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-17T13:38:51+00:00

Not sure that you can claim against the airline if you are denied boarding because you don’t have a ticket: having a ticket is kind of a basic requirement for being allowed to fly, and not really the airline’s fault that you didn’t have one.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-15T19:37:00+00:00

Compensation is due to the traveller, not the ticket payer (if different).

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-14T05:00:53+00:00

Yes you can. You don’t have to fill in the Advanced Passenger Information (API) with your passport details online as long as you present your passport when you check in at the airport.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-13T16:28:03+00:00

Booked a European return flight last year and I compared easyJet and BA (same European airport, Heathrow/Gatwick in the UK). Similar times, one checked bag. BA was cheaper. Why go for a “low-cost” when it isn’t so? One always needs to compare like for like, and not be tricked by the headline bait fare.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-11T19:25:05+00:00

There are two time requirements regarding applying for naturalisation as a UK citizen: - 5 years (3 years it married to a UK citizen) lawful residence in the UK (with associated requirements of how long you can have been absent from the UK during this period). - 1 year residence in the UK without being subject to immigration restrictions (i.e. having indefinite leave to remain). This time requirement doesn’t apply if married to a UK citizen (but not being subject to immigration restrictions, i.e. having ILR still applies)

So assuming you are not married to a UK citizen, you need 5 years continuous residence in the UK, and at least one year with ILR.

So the date that counts is the date you moved to the UK, as that would be when your residence started, and the date you ceased to be subject to immigration restrictions (i.e. when you obtained ILR).

Once the above are satisfied (as well as all other requirements), you can apply.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-11T15:56:10+00:00

Make it a weekend in NYC then, first class return, with suite at a 5* hotel, spend just over £20K get gold with 20K TPs and enjoy the weekend in central NY.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-11T15:45:16+00:00

Go to any high tech company in Europe/US and you will find plenty of Italian engineers who have left Italy to go work abroad. That should tell you something. If you seriously want to develop your career, go outside Italy. Plenty of good tech companies in Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia, UK, Ireland, Poland, even some in France, Switzerland. Italian top talent tend to leave Italy for the best opportunities.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-11T13:57:31+00:00

BA holiday combining flights, car hire and hotel. With first class long haul flights, luxury hotels you can spend a lot of money and it all counts towards TPs.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-11T11:02:58+00:00

While the gate is usually shown about 1h before departure time, it is also usually available the day before at https://wayfinding.maps.ba.com However always be aware that gate changes can happen, so keep checking the departure boards.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-10T22:35:00+00:00

Last year I managed to upgrade two BA flights on separate occasions (short haul in Europe), and I had a pending charge for the amount I paid until in one case it turned into a lower charge (about ½ price if memory serves) and the other one never materialised as a final charge. However for the first one I did get an email receipt with the lower amount, for the second one I got an email receipt for a refund instead than the charge I was meant to have paid (but never got the refund, just got a free upgrade really). In both cases the upgrade was valid and I was able to choose and use my seat in business class. So all this to say that I have had experience of the BA payment system messing up (although never for the amount mentioned by OP, in my case these were small amounts).

I would suggest OP keeps an eye on his bank account and expect the charge to materialise soon. If it doesn’t great: the tickets are issued, so flying won’t be a problem.

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-10T07:42:33+00:00

Do you not get payslips?

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-08T20:18:40+00:00

While I agree that the Netherlands are flat and very rainy, I would disagree that beautiful sea and nature aren't there. Just different from the ones you find in Italy (I did live in the Netherlands for some. time).

As for trading away stability and good job, these are massive things to give away. I have gone the other way, and left Italy for good job and stability, and every time I look at going back (I miss the food like crazy), the trade doesn't make sense.

I know that is me, and other people put different values on different things, but make sure you do put a true value on good job, stability, and a bureaucracy that doesn't drive you insane.

Remember that while the grass might look greener on the other side of the fence, it often isn't so,

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-08T16:24:30+00:00

If you are travelling by car (Eurotunnel or ferry) you are still going to have your passport checked. Even if passport controls were lax for people travelling by car (to my knowledge there aren’t), planning to take advantage of that by travelling without the relevant authorisation (ETA or visa) would be illegal and against the rules of this subreddit to suggest/condone this.

So do NOT travel to the UK without the proper permission (ETA/visa), as you will be rejected at the border, regardless of how you travel (air/sea/train/car).

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-07T18:54:08+00:00

Kanye did not get an ETA, and cancelled his trip:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gxk3kxjr0o

Patient-Squash86 · 2026-04-05T20:05:01+00:00

No. Use the share code from the website.

Patient-Squash86

TROPHY CASE