Entering the UK- or going to happen now

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

*An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new digital, pre-travel permission required by non-visa nationals visiting or transiting the UK for up to 6 months. From 25 February 2026, all eligible international visitors—including European (EU/EEA/Swiss) citizens—must have an approved ETA before traveling to avoid being denied boarding.
Key Aspects of the UK ETA System
Who Needs One: All "non-visa nationals" (those who currently don't need a visa for short stays), including citizens from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and other countries. This applies to tourists, business travelers, and those transiting, including children and babies.
Who is Exempt: British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. Those with valid UK visas or settled status also do not require one.
Requirements & Cost: Applications are made via the UK ETA app or GOV.UK for £16. It requires a passport photo, biometric data, and answers to security questions.
Validity: Once issued, the ETA lasts for 2 years and allows for multiple visits.
Enforcement Date: The scheme becomes mandatory for all eligible visitors on 25 February 2026*

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? 😲

BlueBelle

The rules are worldwide * Carriade*
As for Nana8 s story I can’t go over it again but you are making up scenarios that aren’t the story at all Read the thread
You ve really just made up a fairy story

Gnomatter, a thread with gnomistakes would be unusual, Bluebelle
(Sorry)

Allira

You don't lose British citizenship (although it could be taken away in rare circumstances) but, if you want to come into the UK on a foreign passport, an ETA is now required.
It's easily done, I would think, we have to do them for Australia.

We, Brits, have to have visas of some type for many countries, it’s really not a big deal, an ETA is simply a form of visa and will be easily and cheaply obtained.

Honestly I cannot see the issue? I was born in Singapore to service parents, my mother was British and my biological father Canadian, I chose to only have British citizenship therefore on our trip to Canada last year had to get electronic visas. I’m not really sure what all the fuss is about, on the one hand we tell the govt to put in more checks then when they do, that’s also wrong! It’s a bit like the angst around ID cards and having to show photo ID at polling stations, honestly big fat fuss over nothing, in my opinion.

Cossy

Actually, I’m pretty sure that the rule is IF you have dual nationality AND hold both a British Passport and one for your other nationality, you MUST use your British passport whilst travelling to and from the UK?

Well, yes, use your other passport to leave the country of residence and your UK one to enter UK then vice versa on return.

The rules are worldwide * Carriade*
As for Nana8 s story I can’t go over it again but you are making up scenarios that aren’t the story at all Read the thread
You ve really just made up a fairy story

Either have two passports like most people living outside their country of origin do , or don’t and face the consequences

An ETA is easy to do online.
At least, the Australian one is, but, like many British Government websites, the British one probably has a glitch in its system to send you round in ever-decreasing circles.

I wonder if this has caught many people out, though, as it did with the people we know coming from the Caribbean last year. There was very little notice that visas were required and they had paid for their holiday which they had to cancel.

Actually, I’m pretty sure that the rule is IF you have dual nationality AND hold both a British Passport and one for your other nationality, you MUST use your British passport whilst travelling to and from the UK?

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.

Apparently if I want to visit the uk for any reason I have to show a uk passport now. I don’t want one
Then stay where you are Nana8 you ve been happy there for 50 years so why get uptight now. We all have to make adjustments and yours were made 50 years ago. Either have two passports like most people living outside their country of origin do , or don’t and face the consequences

As for voting it’s not Starmers fault it would have had to happen whoever was in power I think you ve got totally the wrong end of the stick with your anger.

It doesn't feel right that someone who has not lived in the UK for years should have a say in how residents of the country are governed.

Mine don't vote, Doodledog

BlueBelle

I dont think anyone is getting Nana8s anger
The rules for Uk have changed and she can no longer get into Uk on her Australian passport alone

I was reading it as "But I AM British" (ie got a English/Welsh/Scottish/N. Irish father and ditto mother) and so "Why do I have to pay to come back to my own country?"

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

But that's how it came over to me as "But I AM British....it's my own country and I can come back any time I please...".

So if her mother and father are both Australian for instance - but they were on holiday here or something at the time she was born I guess she'd look at it differently. Hence I think this is "But I AM British - it is my country" and I'd be feeling rather annoyed myself if that was the lines I was thinking along - ie "Why am I being charged to come into my own country?"

Excuse typos!

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.

Mamie

The fifteen year rule ended and Boris Johnson introduced the right to vote for UK citizens abroad. It is common practice in many countries; the French abroad retain the right to vote and have a deputé to represent them.
My son will have to use his Spanish passport to leave and enter Spain and get a new UK one to enter and leave the UK. My DiL and grandchildren will use their Spanish ones, they do not have UK citizenship.

Oh, ok, thanks Mamie

Allira

Doodledog

How is it legal for people who don't live here to vote here? If they've lived abroad for years they can only have a partial understanding of the way the country currently works, and as has been said, don't have to live with the consequences of their vote anyway.

I'm not sure I even agree with the idea of dual citizenship. Maybe temporary emigrants/immigrants should keep the citizenship of their home country (as most do), and if/when they become long-term residents they should choose where their loyalties lie. I could be persuaded otherwise, though - it's not something I've thought about much, and it may be more complex than that.

I think you can for up to 15 years after leaving, possibly because you are overseas with work and you might come back again.

You still can have British citizenship and a British passport if you live in another country.
Not everyone moves overseas permanently anyway.

MartavTaurus

^It is only 100 miles away.^
But a world apart!
Bon courage with your move.

Thank you. The detailed inventory of everything you possess for UK customs is a post Brexit joy (not).

It is only 100 miles away.
But a world apart!
Bon courage with your move.

Its a strange thing, that living abroad you can take yourself out of Britain but you can't take being British out of yourself. Its something to do with provenance.
I've been there. It took me a bit to realise that I couldn't be in both systems or have a foot in both countries, but all you can do is to go by the rules.

Maremia

keepingquiet, maybe that explains why Posters who don't actually live in Britain keep saying how awful it is to live here.
The power of biased MSM.

Actually I don't and never have. When you have close ties with family and friends across the country you base what you know on their lives not rubbish from MSM.
However after 20 years in France we are moving back to England at the end of the month. I will let you know what I find different. It is only 100 miles away.

keepingquiet, maybe that explains why Posters who don't actually live in Britain keep saying how awful it is to live here.
The power of biased MSM.

The fifteen year rule ended and Boris Johnson introduced the right to vote for UK citizens abroad. It is common practice in many countries; the French abroad retain the right to vote and have a deputé to represent them.
My son will have to use his Spanish passport to leave and enter Spain and get a new UK one to enter and leave the UK. My DiL and grandchildren will use their Spanish ones, they do not have UK citizenship.

Visgirl, because I was born in the UK but took out Canadian citizenship when I emigrated,am I still considered to be a British citizen?

Allira

Doodledog

How is it legal for people who don't live here to vote here? If they've lived abroad for years they can only have a partial understanding of the way the country currently works, and as has been said, don't have to live with the consequences of their vote anyway.

I'm not sure I even agree with the idea of dual citizenship. Maybe temporary emigrants/immigrants should keep the citizenship of their home country (as most do), and if/when they become long-term residents they should choose where their loyalties lie. I could be persuaded otherwise, though - it's not something I've thought about much, and it may be more complex than that.

I think you can for up to 15 years after leaving, possibly because you are overseas with work and you might come back again.

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

I remember when my children were students they both felt that they shouldn't vote where they were living, as they didn't intend to stay after they graduated (this was in the UK). They did in the end, as they got jobs local to their respective universities, but they felt it was wrong in principle, and I agreed with them that people should only vote if they know they will be impacted by the result. They voted in their home constituency until they were settled elsewhere.

It doesn't feel right that someone who has not lived in the UK for years should have a say in how residents of the country are governed.

I too wanted to know for family members... This is what I found.

Important extra step (new rule)
Australians now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling for tourism or short visits.
It’s quick and online, but it is required.
❌ You cannot enter as a tourist if:
You are still legally a British citizen, even if:
Your UK passport is expired
You “stopped using it”
You only travel on your Australian passport.
So if you are still a British Citizen, that's basically why.

So no different from us travelling to other countries, that requires the correct paperwork.