Entering the UK- or going to happen now

I’d love to know how my grandchildren are listed at British . You tell me. Quite frightening really, Big Brother and all that. Their mother was born in the UK and left aged 1 . Why should I renounce Britishness ? I was born there. Anyway it is immaterial because we won’t be going there. The girls will,though and then round Europe. They are coughing up their $ 500 even though they had already paid for an entry visa anyway. I don’t like some of the comments here and didn’t realise just how rude some are. Life I suppose, I tell myself to get used to it. And, just for the record, I love the UK ,just not the government and the bureaucracy. Don’t like that here, either.

Lathyrus3

It’s that weird thing people have when they leave a place and their life moves on, but they want the place they leave to stay the same, caught in the time capsule of their memory.

I guess it’s a kind of security blanket.

And then they get discombobulated when the people or country they left behind move on as well.

Not just emigration, sometimes people go back to a holiday spot and get cross when the people who live there have made changes and ‘spoilt” it for them🤔

Very perceptive Lathyrus3. I will keep that in mind.

theworriedwell

Allira

I'm still mystified about how anyone knows the GC have dual nationality.

Sorry, should have added that the GC could have British nationality through their mother if she was born here, as we are assuming.

Yes I understand that but if a child left the UK 50 years ago, married and had children without any involvement with the British government how would anyone official at the airport know if they are dual nationals or just two more Australian tourists visiting the UK.

Yes I understand that but if a child left the UK 50 years ago, married and had children without any involvement with the British government how would anyone official at the airport know if they are dual nationals or just two more Australian tourists visiting the UK.

If someone has dual nationality it would bring up the records as the Australian passport is electronically checked on entry to the UK..

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Allira

^I'm still mystified about how anyone knows the GC have dual nationality.^

Sorry, should have added that the GC could have British nationality through their mother if she was born here, as we are assuming.

Yes I understand that but if a child left the UK 50 years ago, married and had children without any involvement with the British government how would anyone official at the airport know if they are dual nationals or just two more Australian tourists visiting the UK.

Graphite

^I'm still mystified about how anyone knows the GC have dual nationality. OP said they emigrated 50 years ago so I suppose her DD was a child.^

We are not taking about nationality. We are talking about citizenship. They are two different things.

OP explained days ago that her daughter was born in Britain. Her GDs were born in Australia and have an Australian father.

They are Australian nationals with dual Australian/British citizenship.

The authorities have confirmed to OP and that they will need British passports to be able to travel to the UK from 25 February 2026.

Citizenship can be renounced but it is far more expensive that a passport.

We never know what the future may hold. For a young person, renouncing British citizenship would be foolish imo.

What if they come to the UK initially as tourists and decide to return at a later date and wish to stay longer than six months? Their British passport would allow them to do so and to work. It also functions as the best ID for all the things that need to be set up.

What if one or other met someone and decided to make a life here? The British passport gives them right of abode. Without this, they would be subject to shifting political policies about indefinite leave to remain.

You don't need a passport to live here permanently. Lots of British people who have never travelled abroad don't have passports. If they are British they are British like any of the rest of us passports or no passports. That isn't why they need a passport, they need one to get through immigration/passport control at the airport.

Personally, I would never have let my British passport run out.

I would have kept one, no matter what it cost.

I'm still mystified about how anyone knows the GC have dual nationality. OP said they emigrated 50 years ago so I suppose her DD was a child.

We are not taking about nationality. We are talking about citizenship. They are two different things.

OP explained days ago that her daughter was born in Britain. Her GDs were born in Australia and have an Australian father.

They are Australian nationals with dual Australian/British citizenship.

The authorities have confirmed to OP and that they will need British passports to be able to travel to the UK from 25 February 2026.

Citizenship can be renounced but it is far more expensive that a passport.

We never know what the future may hold. For a young person, renouncing British citizenship would be foolish imo.

What if they come to the UK initially as tourists and decide to return at a later date and wish to stay longer than six months? Their British passport would allow them to do so and to work. It also functions as the best ID for all the things that need to be set up.

What if one or other met someone and decided to make a life here? The British passport gives them right of abode. Without this, they would be subject to shifting political policies about indefinite leave to remain.

Nanna8, did your daughter register the birth of your grandchildren with either the British Embassy in Australia or the immigration authority in the UK? If she did not, I don’t think your grandchildren have dual nationality. Best call the British embassy to clarify.

As for your daughter who has dual citizenships, she can always renounce her British citizenship if she does not want a British passport.

I wish my country of origin allows dual nationalities. My life will be less complicated.

My daughter’s partner promised me if Reform or Tories win the next election and cancel the ILR (UK permanent residence) putting me at risk of deportation, he will hide me in his cellar.

Oh well, I just think it’s one of the many things you gave to attend to if you want to do some travelling. Every country’s got its own quirks, legal, administrative and social and the art of happy travelling is to deal with them without getting into a stew about it.

Stomping about going “this isn’t right” gets you nowhere and n some countries gets you thrown out. Or in jail😱

If you can’t cope with differences and demands it’s probably best to stay put😬

I'm still mystified about how anyone knows the GC have dual nationality.

Sorry, should have added that the GC could have British nationality through their mother if she was born here, as we are assuming.

OP said they emigrated 50 years ago so I suppose her DD was a child.

She could have been a young child or baby when they emigrated.
Some Gransnetters have children who are as old as some other Gransnetters (iyswim).

I'm still mystified about how anyone knows the GC have dual nationality. OP said they emigrated 50 years ago so I suppose her DD was a child. I suppose she must have had a British passport, probably changed her name on marriage but going through passport control at a British airport they will know her children are British citizens. I marvel at the level of efficiency. A level I don't think I've ever encountered.

I bet if they apply for a British passport they will have to prove they are entitled. For my Irish one I needed a parents birth certificate, their marriage certificate, their death certificate (not sure why as it didn't change my rights) my birth certificate and my marriage certificate. Baffling isn't it. If I'd done it through a grandparent I'd probably have needed more.

Having dual nationality can be a real advantage so maybe accepting there’s a price to pay for that would be sensible.

I do agree. Normally it is straightforward.

Well I suppose it would cost more to speed it up - just like we pay more to get an expedited passport. And it is ( or should be) part of a government’s responsibility to police its borders. Having dual nationality can be a real advantage so maybe accepting there’s a price to pay for that would be sensible. I do wonder why they can’t make renouncing easier and cheaper. Oh well.

Tuliptree

This is quite a long thread and I’m sorry if I’ve missed it but isn’t the simple solution just to renounce your British citizenship if you don’t want the bother of renewing your British passport ?

Possibly but it does seem rather ill-thought in some instances of which this is one.

Yes, it does cost a lot for a British passport in A$ because it involves courier fees too. However, it's the time delay which is critical, it can take months.

The same with anyone who applies for citizenship, the process is lengthy and the new Australian passport cannot be applied for until the ceremony has taken place.

It's to let the public know that successive Governments are being proactive in tackling immigration.

but they want the place they leave to stay the same, caught in the time capsule of their memory.

I think that's kind of inevitable after a long sojourn out of your country of origin. A certain nostalgia I guess. You sort of expect it to have changed, but the old memories are the best and still to be clung onto!

Sorry to derail, but just picking up on a couple of recent comments and reminiscing.

Cocopops, I have sent you a pm if you wouldn’t mind reading, thank you.

Nanna reckoned a British passport would be ‘hundreds of dollars’.

When I spoke to DD in Oz this morning, she grumbled about the cost of an Australian one, one of the most expensive to get, she said.

She was perfectly aware of all these changes, but no problem, as she has always retained a British one, as well as her Aussie one.

NotSpaghetti

I don't recall a response but it does cost more than a passport!


However you only need to do it once!

Thank you for response. So overall it sounds like one of those games people play ‘Why don’t you…?’ ‘Yes but…’

I don't recall a response but it does cost more than a passport!


However you only need to do it once!

NotSpaghetti

Tuliptree that was suggested above...

theworriedwell

I thought it must have been - what was the response because it sounds eminently sensible to me

Tuliptree that was suggested above...

theworriedwell

This is quite a long thread and I’m sorry if I’ve missed it but isn’t the simple solution just to renounce your British citizenship if you don’t want the bother of renewing your British passport ?

NotSpaghetti

nanna8
In the interests of balance - here's the advice from the government hete regarding visiting Australia:

Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Australia
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Australia.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. You should be vigilant, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

In December 2025, 15 people were killed in an antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney.

In April 2024, several people were injured in a terrorist incident at a church in Wakeley, Sydney.

See the Australian government’s national terrorism threat level.

Crime
Protecting your belongings
Take precautions to protect yourself from petty crime, including:

not leaving your bag or luggage unattended
keeping luggage out of sight in cars
keeping valuables and passport in a hotel safe
leaving copies of important documents with family and friends in the UK
carrying a photocopy of your passport for ID
being particularly careful at night in busy tourist areas

Gosh what a dangerous place to visit.