Entering the UK- or going to happen now

nanna8

The worst thing is for my grandchildren. They are being forced to get British passports which they have never had and do not want. Ridiculous.

Part of message from DD:

"This is causing a great amount of upset as many don't keep passports up-to-date or travel on their Australian passports."

The worst thing is for my grandchildren. They are being forced to get British passports which they have never had and do not want. Ridiculous.

According to AI
Yes, if you have dual citizenship, you generally need two passports (or a passport and another valid ID) because you must use the passport of the country you are entering or leaving to prove your right to be there, which means showing your home country's passport for entry/exit and your other country's passport for travel to that country. You use the passport that demonstrates your right to enter that specific country, often requiring you to carry both and use them strategically for flights and border crossings to avoid issues like denied boarding or delays
I am trying to find out how much a UK passport would cost and I don’t know the Australian $ exchange rate, but $800 sounds a lot to me.
I have just found this
Adult British passport applications by Australian residents cost from 120 pounds, plus a 19-pound courier fee, amounting to about $280.

Are these facts accurate?

I agree butterandjam

butterandjam

BlueBelle

Exactly RosiesMawagain what’s all the fuss?
Nana8 has obviously not read up about things at all and is letting her rage run away with her on little information
If you can’t afford £16 Nana8 then I don’t think you ll be wanting to pay the airline prices to get here.

A case of stamp feet anger over nothing

You and Rosie are misinformed. I checked. She is not allowed to get an ETA.

Here it is from the horses mouth, the |UK government.

<https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens>

You really need to read this .

I am a Brit (living in uk), and I had NO IDEA this was being done by UK to British/Australian dual nationals. No bloody wonder nana is up in arms.

I misunderstood too, that is why I asked for one of my posts to be deleted.

In fact, are UK citizens with dual nationality being discriminated against, as they have to buy a UK passport at great expense and often inconvenience instead of being allowed to apply for an ETA like other Australian citizens?

It all seems very odd and in fact discriminatory.

<https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens>

Nanna8 has stated she does not want to hold dual nationality involving 2 passports

BlueBelle

Exactly RosiesMawagain what’s all the fuss?
Nana8 has obviously not read up about things at all and is letting her rage run away with her on little information
If you can’t afford £16 Nana8 then I don’t think you ll be wanting to pay the airline prices to get here.

A case of stamp feet anger over nothing

You and Rosie are misinformed. I checked. She is not allowed to get an ETA.

Here it is from the horses mouth, the |UK government.

<https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens>

You really need to read this .

I am a Brit (living in uk), and I had NO IDEA this was being done by UK to British/Australian dual nationals. No bloody wonder nana is up in arms.

I was one of those. Live in Germany and at the time of the Brexit vote only had British nationality. there were over a million of us in Europe who did not have a vote. MYOB????????? It was very much our business!!!!!!!!

My mother came to the UK in 1947 eventually gaining British citizenship.
She had no say in German politics or administration nor did she expect to.
OP got the facts right but her interpretation was that of someone who wanted to have her cake AND eat it.
British passport holders? ? No problem (except perhaps for going home to Australia)
Australian passport - “visa” or ETA or whatever it is called for all other foreign nationals.
Easy way to- to hold both current passports.

Allira

^In fact I can honestly say that I don't know anyone with dual nationality who hasn't got both passports.^
Unless their citizenship application and subsequent granting of such is current.

I haven't bothered to renew my British passport. If I travel I use mt Irish one. Not sure if that would be a problem so I suppose I should find out if I ever plan to go anywhere. I suppose I could always fly back via Ireland.

Nanna8 was correct in her information in the OP.

If you want to enter any country you need the documentation that country requires. I can't understand the fuss.

NotSpaghetti

This is an exhausting thread!
Several of us have tried to explain the new rules - but maybe not everyone is reading the whole thing!

@#£%%&

I agree. Several people have c!early explained the rules and given links to the relevant Government websites.

There is no need for further speculation.

If you have a British passport you must use it to enter the UK.

If you have British nationality but no valid passport then you need to

*renew your passport or
*get the more expensive Certificate of Entitlement

End of.

RosiesMawagain

With all respect, why should someone who has CHOSEN to make their life in another country, not a temporary job move or fixed term contract, have any say whatsoever in the election of our government.
I can remember voices being raised in past years about expats in mainland Europe not having/having (can’t remember which) a say in the Brexit referendum.
I was born in Scotland but rightly had no say in either the devolution or independence referendums. (Referenda?)
MYOB is my response.

@#£%%

I was one of those. Live in Germany and at the time of the Brexit vote only had British nationality. there were over a million of us in Europe who did not have a vote. MYOB????????? It was very much our business!!!!!!!!

NotSpaghetti

What do you mean "current" Allira please?

Don't worry about it.
It's anecdotal.

What do you mean "current" Allira please?

I read it was to differentiate between those people "visiting" (in Germany It's for 90 days or less - they scan your face and fingerprints) and those with the Right to Abode.

I don't know if 90 days is standard across the EU.

In fact I can honestly say that I don't know anyone with dual nationality who hasn't got both passports.
Unless their citizenship application and subsequent granting of such is current.

BlueBelle

That’s very well clarified Grafite
So Nana8 blame Johnson if you have to blame anyone but that said tongue in cheek as it had to happen I suppose whoever was in government We had to catch up with the rest of the world

Yes, but it's successive governments, not just the Tories because about 40 other countries have been added by the present government.

They are all trying to show that they are controlling immigration 🤔

As a largely irrelevant aside - I think most people who come to-and-fro between the UK and elsewhere (where they have a passport) will already have chosen to keep their UK passport current - simply for ease.

My son and daughter-in-law do this - also my friend's adult children, my neighbour and my nephew and his family.
In fact I can honestly say that I don't know anyone with dual nationality who hasn't got both passports.

Maybe it's historical with Australia?

Because if you come with British citizenship you can stay and work and are entitled to all the benefits of being a British Citizen.

Well, that's a new one on me.

If any of my British family come to stay and need a GP they are entitled to emergency health care because the UK has a reciprocal arrangement with Australia. That is what we have been told. It is not because they are British citizens, they have to register as visitors.
They would not be entitled to benefits nor a pension unless they had paid the required NI for a SP.

Allira

^I understand it's more expensive than a second passport.
It's called a Certificate of Entitlement and proves your "Right of Abode" in the UK.^
The final option is to give up your "Right of Abode in the UK" - the UK currently charges £372 to renounce British citizenship (at an embassy, in person).

But why?

Most of those with dual nationality want to come for a holiday, visit family, perhaps elderly parents, not right to abode. They are being penalised.

Why should they give up their British citizenship? They might want to come back to live here for some reason.

It seems like someone used a sledgehammer to crack a nut, or hit the wrong nut.

I can see why nanna8 is so annoyed.

Because if you come with British citizenship you can stay and work and are entitled to all the benefits of being a British Citizen.

So just like any other British Citizen who comes in from abroad you have to prove at Immigration that you are British.

It stands to reason you can’t prove that with an Australian passport.

It really isn’t any different to me having to show my British passport when I come back, is it?

Except that I only pay for one passport. But that’s a choice. If you want two citizenships you pay for two passports. It seems obvious to me.

That’s very well clarified Grafite
So Nana8 blame Johnson if you have to blame anyone but that said tongue in cheek as it had to happen I suppose whoever was in government We had to catch up with the rest of the world

An ETA (broadly equivalent to the ESTA needed for the USA) is simply a document which allows you to travel. It is for conducting security checks before you arrive. On arrival, final entry permission still has to be granted by border officials. An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. I said that upthread.

British citizens do not need an ETA because they hold an automatic right of abode in the UK. As citizens, they are exempt from immigration control and do not require permission to enter,

Dual British citizens also have a legal right of abode and can enter the UK, but from 25 February 2026, they do not have an automatic right of entry without specific documentation. They must present a valid British passport, Irish passport, or a foreign passport with a certificate of entitlement.

A certificate of entitlement is not the same an an ETA. The former confers right of abode. It serves as formal proof of the right of abode for individuals who do not hold a British passport but have the legal right to live/work in the UK.

Eligibility is for Commonwealth citizens who met specific criteria before 1983 (e.g., parent born in the UK) or for British subjects. It is issued by the Home Office (Form ROA) and currently costs £550.

The policy was designed by the previous government bring UK border procedures in line with similar, existing systems in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-and-borders-bill-electronic-travel-authorisation-factsheet/nationality-and-borders-bill-electronic-travel-authorisation-factsheet

Graphite

I am looking at UK government information which is dated January 2026 which explain the strict enforcement of the regulations from 26 February 2026 for people who have dual citizenship - British and another country.

The graphic is from an Australian travel site:

www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/united-kingdom

After reading that, why would anyone want to visit!!
😲

^I understand it's more expensive than a second passport.
It's called a Certificate of Entitlement and proves your "Right of Abode" in the UK.^
The final option is to give up your "Right of Abode in the UK" - the UK currently charges £372 to renounce British citizenship (at an embassy, in person).

But why?

Most of those with dual nationality want to come for a holiday, visit family, perhaps elderly parents, not right to abode. They are being penalised.

Why should they give up their British citizenship? They might want to come back to live here for some reason.

It seems like someone used a sledgehammer to crack a nut, or hit the wrong nut.

I can see why nanna8 is so annoyed.