Passport Flags

greenhillsbythecoast

Hello, I have tried searching the forum but can't find anything on this.  My passport has a flag on it that stops me being able to use the electronic passport control terminals when coming back into the UK.  I always have to go to the traditional booths, which is where I was told a flag is on my passport and will always be on it even when I renew.  Sometimes the Border Control personnel allow me to skip the electronic queue but not always.  Has anyone else experienced the flag on a passport?  And if so, have you been able to have the flag removed?

elsien

I would have thought that if there were any concerns they would have been rather more worried about you leaving than coming back in again.
Are you sure it’s not just a passport that doesn’t work on the electronic systems - mine quite often has a hissy fit, and I have to go through the manned stations. 

ETA according to a similar thread on Reddit, it’s more likely to happen where you have the same name as someone else who does have slightly more of a dodgy background and they’re checking you’re not them.

https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/comments/101g0aw/how_to_find_out_from_the_home_office_why_my/

DullGreyGuy

A former colleague had the same name and DoB as someone with a rather long criminal record and occasional visits on the FBI wanted list. Forever had issues getting into the states, started carrying a news story of the guys arrest and incarceration which helpfully also showed a very different ethnicity 

greenhillsbythecoast

elsien said:

I would have thought that if there were any concerns they would have been rather more worried about you leaving than coming back in again.
Are you sure it’s not just a passport that doesn’t work on the electronic systems - mine quite often has a hissy fit, and I have to go through the manned stations. 

ETA according to a similar thread on Reddit, it’s more likely to happen where you have the same name as someone else who does have slightly more of a dodgy background and they’re checking you’re not them.

https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/comments/101g0aw/how_to_find_out_from_the_home_office_why_my/

Thanks Elsien, a Border Control Officer told me there was a flag on the passport and it will always be there.  Just wondering if anyone else had the same issue and been able to get the flag removed.  I'll have to try and see if my name is on a wanted list somewhere.

greenhillsbythecoast

DullGreyGuy said:

A former colleague had the same name and DoB as someone with a rather long criminal record and occasional visits on the FBI wanted list. Forever had issues getting into the states, started carrying a news story of the guys arrest and incarceration which helpfully also showed a very different ethnicity 

Thanks DullGreyGuy, I'm heading to the US in February so hope that's not going to be an issue. 

la531983

(Removed by Forum Team) said:

elsien said:

I would have thought that if there were any concerns they would have been rather more worried about you leaving than coming back in again.
Are you sure it’s not just a passport that doesn’t work on the electronic systems - mine quite often has a hissy fit, and I have to go through the manned stations. 

ETA according to a similar thread on Reddit, it’s more likely to happen where you have the same name as someone else who does have slightly more of a dodgy background and they’re checking you’re not them.

https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/comments/101g0aw/how_to_find_out_from_the_home_office_why_my/

Thanks Elsien, a Border Control Officer told me there was a flag on the passport and it will always be there.  Just wondering if anyone else had the same issue and been able to get the flag removed.  I'll have to try and see if my name is on a wanted list somewhere.

Unless there is a (Removed by Forum Team) who is on the FBIs ten most wanted drug barons, I suspect the information you are after isnt actually public knowledge.

eDicky

Are you able to use electronic gates normally at the borders of countries other than UK? Do UK Border Force officers ever ask if you can show additional ID or a.credit card etc..?

[Deleted User]

You could try contacting your local MP for assistance.

la531983

[Deleted User] said:

You could try contacting your local MP for assistance.

I dont see how that will help tbh, if there is a (Removed by Forum Team) who has to be checked everytime she enters the country, the (Removed by Forum Team) who started this thread will be caught in the crossfire every time. They arent going to change border entry procedures for one person. There is very little inconvenience happening here.

la531983

If the Forum Team are going to go through this thread and remove the name of the OP, who had it as her own username btw, they need to delete all traces of it, because there is still one mention of it on this page.

la531983

I see that has now been done.