Is Britain required to let a citizen back in?

comment_as...

I'm a British citizen living in Japan. My residence status in Japan expires soon but I'm not eligible to renew. My plan atm is to go to Mexico on a tourist visa. If Mexico changes its entry requirements then what will happen to me? Will Britain have to take me in or will I be defacto stateless until covid's over? Could I end up in a Japanese immigration detention center?

elsien

Why would you be stateless with a British passport? The predominant issue for British citizens returning home is how they get there given all the travel restrictions, not being banned on arrival. 
Depending on your individual circumstances you may hit the eligibility for benefits barrier if you can’t support yourself but that’s a different issue which doesn’t stop you from coming back. 

[Deleted User]

comment_as... said:

I'm a British citizen living in Japan. My residence status in Japan expires soon but I'm not eligible to renew. My plan atm is to go to Mexico on a tourist visa. If Mexico changes its entry requirements then what will happen to me? Will Britain have to take me in or will I be defacto stateless until covid's over? Could I end up in a Japanese immigration detention center?

 As a British citizen you have the right to enter the U.K. if you have a valid passport proving citizenship. 

 BUT try getting to the uk with the flight ban. The U.K. government has no obligation to get you to the U.K. thats your own responsibility given you were given notice the border was going to shut. 

CKhalvashi

_shel said:

comment_as... said:

I'm a British citizen living in Japan. My residence status in Japan expires soon but I'm not eligible to renew. My plan atm is to go to Mexico on a tourist visa. If Mexico changes its entry requirements then what will happen to me? Will Britain have to take me in or will I be defacto stateless until covid's over? Could I end up in a Japanese immigration detention center?

 As a British citizen you have the right to enter the U.K. if you have a valid passport proving citizenship. 

 BUT try getting to the uk with the flight ban. The U.K. government has no obligation to get you to the U.K. thats your own responsibility given you were given notice the border was going to shut. 

There is no blanket flight ban to the UK.

To leave Japan to travel to either Mexico or the UK may require a transit stop in another country, and this is a matter for the Japanese authorities. Requirements for transit are a matter for the authorities in that country, and therefore OP will need to check with the relevant embassy.

Pollycat

If you present yourself at any UK border control point you will not be denied entry with a UK passport.

How you actually get to that UK border control point is likely to be your biggest problem.

You will need to conform to current entry requirements even if you are a UK citizen.

Right now this is a negative covid test and completion of a passenger location form.

Westin

Pollycat said:

If you present yourself at any UK border control point you will not be denied entry with a UK passport.

How you actually get to that UK border control point is likely to be your biggest problem.

You will need to conform to current entry requirements even if you are a UK citizen.

Right now this is a negative covid test and completion of a passenger location form.

Exactly this.

Can you not just return to the UK rather than heading to Mexico?  Emirates, Qatar, Etihad all seem to still offer options ex Narita via their middle eastern connection points with thru fares being offered.  You will still require to follow current rules regarding a negative PCR test and quarantine upon arrival, but the options are there.

If you are asking if somehow you get to the Mexico border and can't enter then will the UK Government be responsible to fly you to the UK then answer is No.  You would either be returned to your originating point, potentially facing the consequences of arriving without a visa/permission - or more likely just be denied access to the Mexico bound flight in the first place.  

eskbanker

comment_as... said:

I'm a British citizen living in Japan. My residence status in Japan expires soon but I'm not eligible to renew. My plan atm is to go to Mexico on a tourist visa. If Mexico changes its entry requirements then what will happen to me? Will Britain have to take me in or will I be defacto stateless until covid's over? Could I end up in a Japanese immigration detention center?

Seems pretty reckless to have such a flaky 'plan' in the midst of this pandemic - where do you intend to actually reside and what's stopping you from going there at the earliest opportunity?

Pollycat

The OP posted on an earlier thread that they were 'leaning towards doing work for accommodation in Mexico through Work Away.'

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6229383/finishing-visa-in-japan-should-i-return-to-uk-or-go-to-mexico/p1

I don't know if any sort of visa is required for Work Away, although the OP may have since changed his mind and doesn't plan on doing volunteer work in Mexico.

The OP may wish to read this:

Employment, voluntary work, research and eco activities

Tourists are not allowed to undertake voluntary (including human rights) work, or activity, or any form of paid employment. If you wish to carry out this type of work, you must get the correct visa from the Mexican Embassy before you travel.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mexico/entry-requirements

And:

It is no longer possible to switch immigration status in-country. You can’t enter Mexico on a tourist visa and then change it for a work visa. You must apply at the Mexican Consulate of your normal place of residence in plenty of time before you are due to travel.

And:

Proof of accommodation and onward travel

Immigration officials at the port of entry may ask to see proof of your departure plans from Mexico before allowing you entry to the country. They can also ask to see proof of your booked accommodation, as well as funds to cover your intended stay while in Mexico.

I think the OP is in a potentially precarious situation and needs to do some research on his options.

The OP asked on the other thread:

comment_as... said:

am I better off returning to Britain and relying on being able to find work, or going to Mexico where the rent is much cheaper?

I'm not sure that he understands exactly what has been happening here over the last 10 months.

Mickey666

Pollycat said:

If you present yourself at any UK border control point you will not be denied entry with a UK passport.

How you actually get to that UK border control point is likely to be your biggest problem.

You will need to conform to current entry requirements even if you are a UK citizen.

Right now this is a negative covid test and completion of a passenger location form.

There's a contradiction there.
You're suggesting that without a negative covid test, even a British citizen and UK passport holder would not be allowed entry.
So what happens if a British citizen arrives at border control without a negative covid test certificate?  Indeed, what happens if they DO have covid?

MattMattMattUK

Mickey666 said:

Pollycat said:

If you present yourself at any UK border control point you will not be denied entry with a UK passport.

How you actually get to that UK border control point is likely to be your biggest problem.

You will need to conform to current entry requirements even if you are a UK citizen.

Right now this is a negative covid test and completion of a passenger location form.

There's a contradiction there.
You're suggesting that without a negative covid test, even a British citizen and UK passport holder would not be allowed entry.
So what happens if a British citizen arrives at border control without a negative covid test certificate?  Indeed, what happens if they DO have covid?

Nope, they will still be allowed in, but as they will be in breach of entry requirements they will be fined. The current fine is £500 per person for entry without the required negative Covid test result. The airline, ship operator or Eurostar may deny boarding without the test, in which case that is down to them rather than the UK government. 

If they have Covid they will be denied travel should they provide that information to the transport provider, if they do not have a test, or have a positive test then the fine is £500 for the breach of travel requirements, there may also be additional fines for travelling with the positive test. 

If they were at the UK border they would not be denied entry, however they would be fined, their issue without a test, or with a positive test would be getting to the border in the first place. 

sheramber

Someone who does not have valid enrty document is refused entry and the airline are required to return them to the country of departure.
That is why airlines check documentation is correct before allowing you to  board.