Starting February 25, new UK travel regulations come into effect, requiring visitors to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the country. This digital permission to travel is mandatory for all visitors, excluding British and Irish citizens, and aims to create a faster, more secure border process.
Dual British nationals face an important change: they must now present a valid British passport when traveling to the UK. If they use a foreign passport, they may be denied boarding or subjected to additional checks since carriers cannot confirm their British citizenship. Alternatively, dual nationals can apply for a certificate of entitlement, attached to their non-British passport, but this comes with a hefty fee of £589.
Previously, dual nationals could enter the UK using their non-British passport at no extra cost, but the new rules tighten entry requirements significantly. The government insists that these measures align with international standards already adopted by countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
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The ETA costs £16 and allows multiple visits to the UK, with stays up to six months each time, valid for two years. There are plans to increase this fee to £20 in the future. Importantly, the ETA is not a visa and does not grant entry on its own, but it authorizes travel to the UK pending further border checks.
While information campaigns about the ETA and new documentation requirements began as early as October 2024, some dual nationals report that the changes were announced with little notice and poor communication. Concerns remain that crucial travel plans, such as holidays or work assignments, could be disrupted if passports or certificates of entitlement are not secured in time.
A Home Office spokesperson emphasized: “From February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens must present either a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement when traveling to the UK. Without these, carriers cannot confirm their British citizenship, leading to possible delays or denied boarding. This policy applies equally to all British citizens, irrespective of other nationalities.”