From 25 February, British dual nationals will no longer be allowed to enter the UK using only their non-UK passport, even if that passport is from a visa-free country (like EU states).
Instead, they must show one of the following:
A valid British passport, or
A Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode (now digital) linked to their foreign passport
Without one of these, airlines may refuse boarding, meaning the person may not even be allowed to travel to the UK.
Dual nationals cannot apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) — that £16 (soon £20) digital entry document is only for foreign nationals. British citizens must prove British status.
What Does It Cost?
British passport: ~£100 (adult)
Certificate of Entitlement: £589
Processing time: Several weeks (sometimes longer)
Neither document is automatically issued when someone becomes a British citizen—many dual nationals never applied for a British passport because they didn’t need one before.
Why Is This Linked to the ETA System?
The change comes alongside the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.
The government says this:
Modernises border controls
Aligns the UK with countries like the US, Canada, and Australia
Ensures British citizens enter as British citizens
In other words:
If you are British, you must prove it with British documentation.
Why Are People Angry?
Poor Communication
Many affected dual nationals say they:
Only learned about it via social media
We were not directly contacted
Discovered it while already abroad
Critics argue the information existed but didn’t reach ordinary citizens effectively.
Timing & Practical Problems
People who:
Recently naturalised
Are travelling abroad
Are waiting on passport renewals
Live temporarily outside the UK
…may now face being unable to return home until paperwork is processed.
For someone like Jelena—who has lived in the UK for 16 years, owns a home in Glasgow, and just became British — the rule feels especially harsh because:
Before becoming British, she could freely enter on her Latvian passport.
After becoming British, she now faces entry barriers.
That’s why she described it as feeling like a “betrayal.”
Cost Concerns
The £589 Certificate of Entitlement fee is widely described as excessive — especially for something required just to return home.
Emotional Impact
Many dual nationals say:
“The UK is my home.”
“I pay taxes.”
“I’ve lived here for decades.”
“I chose to become British.”
The perception is not about immigration restriction — it’s about administrative rigidity impacting citizens.
Who Is Exempt?
Irish passport holders are not affected (due to the Common Travel Area).
All other dual nationals, including EU citizens, are affected.
How Many People Could Be Affected?
According to the 2021 Census:
587,600 UK-born residents are dual nationals~
648,700 non-UK-born residents are dual nationals
That’s over 1.2 million people potentially impacted.
Government’s position
The Home Office says:
Information has been available since October 2024
The policy aligns the UK with countries like the US and Australia
All British citizens are treated the same, regardless of dual nationality
Their argument is consistency and border modernisation.
What are some affected citizens doing?
Some options dual nationals are taking:
Applying urgently for British passports
Cancelling or altering travel plans
Working remotely abroad while waiting
In extreme cases, considering renouncing British citizenship
The Core Tension
This is less about immigration control and more about:
When does an administrative order become a disproportionate burden? Legally, the UK can require British citizens to prove their status.
Emotionally, people feel blindsided and penalised for becoming citizens.
