Travelling during citizenship process

Just want to make sure I'm clear on this. So once I submit my application for citizenship, I'm allowed to travel outside of the UK since I'll still have my passport in my possession. Correct?

Then once I get the citizenship approved and it's time to get my British passport, will I have to send my US passport in while the British passport is being processed? Therefore won't be able to leave the country. Correct?

Just want to make sure because we are going to Greece in August and then I'm going to America for Christmas so I don't want to make a mistake.

Thanks!

Wondering the same thing about travel during the process. Can anyone help us out?? Thanks.

With two holidays booked, why not wait until after Christmas to apply for citizenship? That would save the stress of wondering when your letter will arrive and your countdown starts.

You can travel when you apply for citizenship as you have ILR, which is the end of your immigration under the Immigration Act 1971. You have a right to live in the UK with a valid ILR. British citizenship is under the Nationality Act.

It can take up to 6 months before you get your invitation from the Home Office and some take longer. Some get their letter quickly. You must book your ceremony within 3 months.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain/after-youve-applied
https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies

You won't be a British citizen until you have attended your ceremony and made an oath of allegiance and a pledge and you are then given your certificate.
https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies

You need to return your BRP within 5 days
"After you get your certificate

You must send your biometric residence permit (BRP) back to the Home Office within 5 working days of getting your certificate of British citizenship."
"You’ll be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return your permit within 5 working days."
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain/after-you-get-your-certificate

Then you can apply for a British citizen passport: which is another wait.

With two holidays booked, why not wait until after Christmas to apply for citizenship? That would save the stress of wondering when your letter will arrive and your countdown starts.

You can travel when you apply for citizenship as you have ILR, which is the end of your immigration under the Immigration Act 1971. You have a right to live in the UK with a valid ILR. British citizenship is under the Nationality Act.

It can take up to 6 months before you get your invitation from the Home Office and some take longer. Some get their letter quickly. You must book your ceremony within 3 months.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain/after-youve-applied
https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies

You won't be a British citizen until you have attended your ceremony and made an oath of allegiance and a pledge and you are then given your certificate.
https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies

You need to return your BRP within 5 days
"After you get your certificate

You must send your biometric residence permit (BRP) back to the Home Office within 5 working days of getting your certificate of British citizenship."
"You’ll be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return your permit within 5 working days."
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain/after-you-get-your-certificate

Then you can apply for a British citizen passport: which is another wait.

Cool thanks for the clarification/confirmation.

Reason for the travel is simple really - time off where I work is largely determined by the company so holidays have to be taken at certain times. So if I want to go to Greece in 2 weeks when my employer is shut (I do) and if I want to go to California for Christmas when my employer is shut (again, yes please) then it requires some planning and strategy with my timing of things.

I'm hoping the letter comes quickly enough so I can get the ceremony portion of the process done by the end of the year. Then I'll just have to do my passport after the new year and be good to go 🤞

Thanks!

I'm hoping the letter comes quickly enough so I can get the ceremony portion of the process done by the end of the year. Then I'll just have to do my passport after the new year and be good to go 🤞

There is no rush to naturalise as a British Citizen, although the fees go up. A valid ILR allows you to remain in the UK and travel in and out of the UK, as long as you don't remain outside the UK for more than 2 years. ILR is the end of the immigration route. Some migrants never apply for British Citizenship.

As stated above, you must return your BRP within 5 days of your ceremony (where you received your Certificate of British Citizenship).
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-spouse/after-you-get-your-certificate
A British Citizen must not have a visa to the UK, or be granted a visa to visit at the border.  If you can get to the UK border, you can go to an immigration officer with your proof of British Citizenship, but expect a wait while they check the records.

You won't have your BRP to show an airline as that in no longer valid and you would have returned it. Keep an eye on which date next year US citizens are required to have an  ETA to show an airline. Following Brexit, the UK had brought in new laws to also carry out what  Australia and the US have already done.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-unveils-plans-for-travel-scheme-to-bolster-the-border

British Citizens can't have an ETA. British Citizens have a right to enter the UK.