The UK government appears to be planning a major change for British dual nationals – with the introduction of new rules that would force dual nationals to either use their UK passport when travelling into the UK (or spend £550 on a Certificate of Entitlement), according to a Home Office fact sheet.
Some countries – notably the US – have strict rules on dual nationals, with US law stating that American dual nationals must use their US passport to enter and leave the country.
But at present British dual nationals can simply choose which passport to travel into and out of the country on.
A significant number of dual nationals don’t have a current UK passport – which costs £101 to acquire from outside the UK. Many won’t have renewed it after their previous one expired, whilst some may never have obtained one.
However it would seem that the introduction of the UK’s ETA visa waiver is also bringing about a big change for British dual nationals.
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A UK Home Office media factsheet sent to The Local reads:
“In the future, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border. We will make it clear when this change will be enforced.”
A Certificate of Entitlement can be used to provide proof of “the right to abode in the UK”. However it costs £550, takes an estimated three weeks to obtain and involves an in-person visit to a British visa centre, of which many countries have just one. In France, for example, it would require a trip to Paris.
The UK government website also states: “We cannot issue a certificate of entitlement in a non-British passport if the person holds a current British citizen passport” – which would seem to rule out this option for anyone who has a valid UK passport.
It is not clear whether this rule change will include British-Irish dual nationals. Those travelling to the UK on an Irish passport are exempt from ETA requirements.
There is also no date for the proposed change. The Home Office just says it will “make it clear” when it happens.
The instruction in the fact sheet poses a number of questions that The Local has asked the Home Office to clarify on behalf on the tens of thousands of UK dual nationals in Europe.
It is not clear what it means by “to avoid delays at the border”. This doesn’t suggest dual nationals will be blocked from crossing, just “delayed”.
But the use of the word “enforced” suggests there will be a change of law on what passports UK dual nationals are allowed to use when travelling into the UK.
The fact sheet was sent to The Local after we sought clarification from the UK government on the situation for UK dual nationals after the ETA requirement was extended to European passport holders in April 2nd.
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UK and Irish nationals do not need an ETA and the general advice for dual nationals who have a current, valid UK passport is to use it to travel into the UK.
But the situation has been confusing for those dual nationals without a valid UK passport, perhaps because it expired or they never had one. The Local and many dual national readers have contacted the UK government to ask for confirmation on whether they need an ETA if travelling on their “other “passport and how can they get one.
On April 3rd the UK Home Office told The Local dual nationals without a valid British passport can travel on their foreign passport and don’t need an ETA or proof of UK nationality whilst the scheme is being rolled out.
“We recognise that the introduction of the ETA is a substantial change for British dual citizens of ETA eligible nationalities, and they are currently permitted to travel on their non-British passport without an ETA or proof of British nationality while the scheme is being implemented,” the statement said.
This suggests dual national travellers in this position will have to convince border police or travel companies that they didn’t need an ETA.
The Local has asked the Home Office to provide further clarity on these questions.
Are you a UK dual national and have had problems getting an ETA? Please share your experience in the comments section below.
