Entering the UK- or going to happen now

Quick check - about 39% of people currently have the same definition of British as I do - ie asking about the parents nationality.

Job done.

I wasn’t aware nanna8’sparents were still alive?

Joanna Lumley is an entirely different case.
She was born on 1 May, 1946 in Kashmir, India - (before independence and partition ) to British parents, Thya Beatrice Rose (Weir) and James Rutherford 1946,
Srinagar was not directly administered by the British, but was the summer capital of the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, which was under British paramountcy. While not exactly part of British India , it was a "subsidiary alliance" state where Maharaja Hari Singh ruled, subject to British supervision, until the partition in 1947
Her father was a major in the Gurkha Rifles, and she spent most of her early childhood in the Far East where her father was posted.
The Ghurka Rifles were part of the British Army

It should be obvious if you look at the facts that the children of serving army personnel, stationed abroad, are clearly British.
You need to check your facts and think it out again.

I think I will vote next time - move over horrible Keir.

You cannot pin your gripe about travel on Keir Starmer.

The Nationalities and Borders Act was passed in 2022 by the Tory government.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_and_Borders_Act_2022

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (United Kingdom) (ETA) is part of that regulation:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Travel_Authorisation_(United_Kingdom)

Carriers to the UK are expected to check that individuals have the appropriate permission to travel, in document or digital form, before they bring them to the UK. Otherwise, they may be liable to a penalty charge.

Having an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK.

People who are not British citizens are expected to demonstrate their permission to travel by using:

•their digital UK immigration permission (eVisa), if they are resident in the UK;

• their physical vignette sticker or digital eVisa, if they have a visitor or certain other type of visa; or

• their electronic travel authorisation (ETA), if they are visiting the UK and are from a non-visa national country (for example, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA or an EU country).

A British dual national travelling on a foreign passport is not supposed to use any of those. They would be ineligible for an ETA, eVisa or immigration permission due to their British citizenship.

Stricter enforcement from 25 February 2026

The Home Office has been advising British dual nationals to travel on a British passport or with a certificate of entitlement for many months. But in practice it hasn’t been strictly enforcing the ETA requirement for non-visa nationals, to allow people time to adjust. Those transitional arrangements will end next [this] month.

From 25 February 2026, the Home Office will be fully applying the ETA requirement. The Home Office is advising British dual citizens to make sure they have a valid UK or Irish passport or certificate of entitlement if they will be travelling on or after that date. If they don’t, they may not be able to board their transport to the UK.

commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10344/#:~:text=their%20digital%20UK%20immigration%20permission

RosiesMawagain

@ CariadAgain, much as I hate talking about somebody in their absence, Nanna8 chose not to renew her UK passport so how can you (on her behalf) claim that she feels British?

She is thinking "But I AM British .......".

It’s not a case of “happening to be born abroad” unless you subscribe to the Raj mentality( ie that the sun never sets on the British Empire)
If a person chooses to make their life abroad, to emigrate, they can’t have it both ways.
Not without keeping dual nationality and renewing their passport.
Your flights of fantasy are inventive but misleading.

Her parents are still British!

I know it's very confusing these days - with different people having different ideas on it - despite the fact we all thought the same previously.

But - as my mother explained to me "I am British, your father is British and therefore that means that you are British".

I checked at one point recently why some people seem to have different definitions and, from memory, about 50% of people have the same definition as I do.

Joanna Lumley was born abroad for instance - but, because of her parents = she is British.

Of course you can feel British wherever you live; it's not something tangible, it's a cultural identity, a feeling, more than residency.

You don't lose your British nationality.
You could still apply for a British passport, if it has lapsed, for proof.

A few have had it removed for good reason.

85!

BlueBelle

Cariad you’re getting it all wrong, really do stop, you’re making it up as you go along
This isn’t a rule against anyone, it’s a rule that is keeping us level with the rest of the world
This is worldwide ruling we are now joining in and keeping in tune with the rest of the world

I know, I'm getting confused now!

If you are travelling to and fro regularly perhaps for work or to visit family, you could keep renewing your UK passport.

It's not just Australia, it's other countries too. Many did require an ETA previously but the number has expanded to 8t now.

* [Edited by GNHQ at poster's request to remove misinformation]

@ CariadAgain, much as I hate talking about somebody in their absence, Nanna8 chose not to renew her UK passport so how can you (on her behalf) claim that she feels British?

She is thinking "But I AM British .......".

It’s not a case of “happening to be born abroad” unless you subscribe to the Raj mentality( ie that the sun never sets on the British Empire)
If a person chooses to make their life abroad, to emigrate, they can’t have it both ways.
Not without keeping dual nationality and renewing their passport.
Your flights of fantasy are inventive but misleading.

Cariad you’re getting it all wrong, really do stop, you’re making it up as you go along
This isn’t a rule against anyone, it’s a rule that is keeping us level with the rest of the world
This is worldwide ruling we are now joining in and keeping in tune with the rest of the world

Doodledog

Allira

Thanks. That makes sense, but if someone has taken out another country's citizenship they (presumably) aren't planning to return?

They might, you never know.

It's easier to take out eg Australian citizenship if you marry an Australian and then have children, but if you want to travel regularly regularly to and from the UK to visit family best to have dual nationality for yourself and to apply for if fir your children too.

If you decided to spend half your time in each country, as one of my relatives does, best to have dual nationality.

Yes, my brother has dual nationality too (Australia), and I understand that it's easier for him and his family. That doesn't mean I think it's a good thing, though, or that I think he should be able to vote here. I have no idea whether he does, but I doubt it.

I told mine to vote in the referendum.

They decided they shouldn't, eventhough one had lived and worked in Europe - who knows, the result might have been different!

Not everyone who emigrates does in fact apply for citizenship of the other country, many are permanent residents.

Allira

^I may be wrong and she was born here but her parents arent British.^

Yes, you are wrong. Why would you assume that?

Her parents were British. Nanna8 was born here then emigrated as an adult to Australia.

I hope that is correct, I expect she's asleep now so not able to clarify this herself.

There ya' go then....

She is thinking "But I AM British.......".

I wouldnt take kindly to being charged for something that most certainly is mine regardless.

It's akin to if my (both British) parents had had me abroad and I'd never stepped foot in Britain - I'd still be there thinking "Huh?! Why am I being charged to come to my own country? I have the right anyway..." I'd be there describing myself as "adopted Australian - but I'm British really".

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.

Allira

^Thanks. That makes sense, but if someone has taken out another country's citizenship they (presumably) aren't planning to return?^

They might, you never know.

It's easier to take out eg Australian citizenship if you marry an Australian and then have children, but if you want to travel regularly regularly to and from the UK to visit family best to have dual nationality for yourself and to apply for if fir your children too.

If you decided to spend half your time in each country, as one of my relatives does, best to have dual nationality.

Yes, my brother has dual nationality too (Australia), and I understand that it's easier for him and his family. That doesn't mean I think it's a good thing, though, or that I think he should be able to vote here. I have no idea whether he does, but I doubt it.

Basgetti

karmalady

some people want one foot in both camps, so they can buy a property in the uk, claim residence and hence access pension, nhs and benefits, in spite of not having paid a penny. Leeches

Quite.

You do realise that the UK has reciprocal arrangements with Australia for emergency treatment, don't you?
And that, if someone of pension age emigrates to Australia, even if they have paid full NI contributions all their working lives in the UK, their State Pension remains at the same level as when they left?

How can someone claim a pension without paying any NI at all?

There are several misconceptions on this thread.

We know several couples with properties in various countries and dual nationalities. They know how to play the system, or their clever accountants do.

Basgetti

karmalady

some people want one foot in both camps, so they can buy a property in the uk, claim residence and hence access pension, nhs and benefits, in spite of not having paid a penny. Leeches

Quite.

Spiteful post.

That is not the case at all with anyone we know.

karmalady

some people want one foot in both camps, so they can buy a property in the uk, claim residence and hence access pension, nhs and benefits, in spite of not having paid a penny. Leeches

Quite.

Yes! I’ve used all manner of govt and cancel websites, they can be a minefield, however, with a bit of patience and perseverance it will work.

So have I but that one was impossible, Cossy! I said, very confidently, that I would take over from DH who said something was wrong with the system. "Move over, I'll sort it" I said 😁
There was something wrong with the system.

So, aside from “rushed” timescales and lack of information widely available, I don’t understand what all the fuss is about?

Rushed timescales and lack of information may cause problems, I would think.

At least this time I think notice was given in advance.

For some countries it was introduced last year in a rush. It was announced and introduced on the same day, with immediate effect. For those about to travel, it was impossible and visits had to be cancelled and some of the money lost.

*council not cancel

BlueBelle

The rules have changed as of end of February and Uk has caught up with the rest of the world Basgetti and Grandmabatty
Now you will have to show a Uk passport or a certificate of entitlement to enter Uk
It costs £94 to get a Uk passport and more for a certificate of entitlement
Uk is just catching up the rest of the world we are late to the game Nana8

Fair enough. That’s life.

Allira

^an ETA is simply a form of visa and will be easily and cheaply obtained.^

Cossy theoretically!
Ever tried to negotiate the Government site to get a Blue Badge? 😲

Yes! I’ve used all manner of govt and cancel websites, they can be a minefield, however, with a bit of patience and perseverance it will work.

I’m not suggesting it’s not a pain, it’s simply not as dramatic or alarming as some might like to paint it.

Most things are now digital, so either we need to learn and do it ourselves, or get someone else to do it for us.

I’m not condoning this, just trying to accept this is the world in which we now live.

Also the ETA is for everyone, bar British and Irish citizens, so no doubt we’ll be doing the same for more countries now and no doubt some of this is due to Brexit.

Mamie

It is the same for our son. He has Spanish nationality and has to renew his UK passport before he can visit.

Ah Brexit. The gift that keeps on giving. Not.

You may have been born in the UK but you are now Australian and have been for 50 years so you have as much right as any Australian citizen does entering the UK.