New rules are confusing for UK passport renewals in France

To the Editor,

Having lived in France for over half a century, I wish I had renewed my UK passport when it expired.

I have French citizenship and being a dual national was no big deal up until recently. Now, new rules to support the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme mean I have to apply for a UK passport. 

Today I received an email from the Passport Office saying that the birth certificate I sent with my application is no good because the copy was issued in 2019, whereas my last UK passport expired in 1990. 

I was asked to produce school reports, proof of going to university, health reports, letters from the tax authority or any letter from the British government written before 1990.

My advice to anyone who fondly imagines that a French passport will suffice is to think again. Dual nationals without a UK passport cannot return to the UK.

So when you get weary of French bureaucracy, just remind yourself that Kafka is alive and well, and has moved to somewhere around Corby.

S.L., Lyon

Have you had issues renewing your UK passport from France? Tell us at letters@connexionfrance.com