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Entering the UK- or going to happen now

(635 Posts)
nanna8 Fri 06-Feb-26 23:38:21

I have an Australian passport and have not lived in the UK for over 50 years but I was born there. Apparently if I want to visit the uk for any reason I have to show a uk passport now. I don’t want one, costs too much and I am absolutely furious about this. I will never visit again , I feel that strongly. How dare they ? Maybe if I went in a little boat from Calais things would be easier ?

nanna8 Sat 07-Feb-26 08:42:54

Do you really think we would care if it was only 16 quid ? Hundreds of dollars even if prepared to wait.

Bigred18 Sat 07-Feb-26 09:14:49

Some of you are a little rude. If you have an Australian passport but born in UK then you must enter UK on British passport. If you don't have one, you can't enter UK and will need to apply for one, or denounce your British citizenship. I have both passports so am able to travel. Some people here have had to cancel travel plans because of the new rule.

Maremia Sat 07-Feb-26 09:22:15

Horrible nasty people? Who are?

Smileless2012 Sat 07-Feb-26 09:23:44

Yes you are right nanna. DS has lived in Aus. for almost 13 years and is now an Australian citizen. His UK passport has expired and he will need to get another one in order to return here.

NotSpaghetti Sat 07-Feb-26 09:29:32

​The reality is that the "Digital Border" is the standard around the world now and even the EU is having it fully operational before the end of the year.
Every major international flight now begins with a computer checking for a digital "permission to travel" record linked to your passport number.

There is another option which involves a passport stamp/sticker but 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.

NotSpaghetti Sat 07-Feb-26 09:35:41

Or give up his right of Abode in the UK presumably, Smileless2012?

I've just looked this up and the UK charges £372 to renounce British citizenship the USA currently charges $2,350

Oreo Sat 07-Feb-26 09:36:51

Bigred18

Some of you are a little rude. If you have an Australian passport but born in UK then you must enter UK on British passport. If you don't have one, you can't enter UK and will need to apply for one, or denounce your British citizenship. I have both passports so am able to travel. Some people here have had to cancel travel plans because of the new rule.

Very rude I would say, and without any real knowledge of the situation too.
I agree nana8 that it’s a ridiculous, money grabbing and unfair situation for any British born person and relatives to have to do that for a visit here.

Fallingstar Sat 07-Feb-26 09:41:31

I have a son in Australia but he shows no desire to want to visit the UK. Didn’t even return when his dad had a massive stroke. So he probably won’t be too bothered by this. And if we ever see the GCs we would need to travel there which is impossible with DHs disabilities.
But, yes, it does sound punitive nanna8. A money grabbing exercise no doubt.😔

David49 Sat 07-Feb-26 09:42:24

nanna8

Bluebelle you are wrong, we contacted the official British passport office and I am right as from end of Feb 2026. I don’t expect an apology.

A UK tourist ETA costs £10 and lasts 2 yrs, if you are not eligible for that its £100 I cant understand why a passport is needed.

My sister is a Australian citizen and just gets a ETA when she visits, I get an ETA to visit her

Oreo Sat 07-Feb-26 09:47:01

Things are changing David49

Fallingstar Sat 07-Feb-26 09:47:12

That sounds more like it David49. We have to purchase an ETA when visiting the US which is not a lot of money. Hope this puts people’s minds at rest.

David49 Sat 07-Feb-26 09:51:14

Oreo

Things are changing David49

Correction ETA is £16
AI result was wrong cant trust anything these days

Oreo Sat 07-Feb-26 09:53:48

The new ruling comes in later this month.

RosiesMawagain Sat 07-Feb-26 09:54:07

If you are not a British/Irish citizen you do not use a Certificate of Entitlement which is £589 but that gives you*right of abode* ie unlimited stay; instead, you will need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) or a visa to enter the UK.

Doodledog Sat 07-Feb-26 09:59:17

Is it 'money grabbing' or is it a preventative measure to curb illegal immigration and increase security against terrorism?

J52 Sat 07-Feb-26 09:59:18

I was born in the UK and have a British Passport. If I left and went abroad and my passport expired, I’d have to renew it before I re entered the UK.
I can’t see what the problem is!

David49 Sat 07-Feb-26 09:59:20

A British Passport carries residency rights quite rightly they are not issued lightly to someone who has been a foreign citizen for many years

Maremia Sat 07-Feb-26 10:05:51

If the person simply wishes to visit the UK, why not get a tourist visa?
Which detail am I missing?

Fallingstar Sat 07-Feb-26 10:09:24

Maremia

If the person simply wishes to visit the UK, why not get a tourist visa?
Which detail am I missing?

I also find it confusing. It seems to be the British or Irish citizens living in Australia have to buy a certificate of entitlement to enter the UK or presumably Ireland whereas non British/Irish citizens can get a visa or ETA.
Not sure if that is right though it sounds weird.

Lathyrus3 Sat 07-Feb-26 10:13:23

I looked it up and it seems simple to me.

If you claim Australian nationality only you can enter with an ETA (£16).

If you claim dual nationality Australian/British you need a British passport to enter.

Just like someone who only had British nationality would. When I come back from Australia I need a British passport to get back in🙄

Maremia Sat 07-Feb-26 10:20:30

Thanks Lathyrus. It's only if you want to claim dual nationality.
Well, that's up to individual. If you have no wish to return to the 'motherland' to stay, then simply visit.
If you wish to retain the right to be a citizen, then there is a charge.
There are so many Threads on GN about immigration. There is a lot of anger around the issue.
And now there is annoyance that rules are tightening?

Lathyrus3 Sat 07-Feb-26 10:21:30

What I mean is when I visit Australia, not that I live there.

JackyB Sat 07-Feb-26 10:28:32

Lathyrus3

I looked it up and it seems simple to me.

If you claim Australian nationality only you can enter with an ETA (£16).

If you claim dual nationality Australian/British you need a British passport to enter.

Just like someone who only had British nationality would. When I come back from Australia I need a British passport to get back in🙄

So does this only apply to Australian/British dual nationals?

nanna8 Sat 07-Feb-26 10:28:55

No, even for a couple of days you have to pay for a British passport if you were born there. The bloke going to his mum’s funeral has to pay $800 because he can’t wait the normal months for a passport. It is around $230 for us otherwise. They know if you were born in the uk because it says so on your passport and they bar entry. Whether or not you want to be a dual citizen ( which he doesn’t and neither do I or my grandchildren) Money grabbing government.

Maremia Sat 07-Feb-26 10:30:01

I wonder if this is the same for folk who have emigrated to Canada or the USA?