Dual Nationals Face Scramble for UK Passports as New Rules Take Effect

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Millions of British citizens who also hold another nationality are facing a last‑minute rush to secure the correct travel documents before new UK border rules take effect later this month, with many dual nationals warning they may be denied boarding on flights, ferries and trains if they fail to comply. From 25 February 2026, the UK government will enforce a policy that requires dual British citizens — those who hold British citizenship alongside another nationality — to enter the United Kingdom only with a valid British passport or a “certificate of entitlement” to the right of abode in their non‑British passport. Without one of these documents, travellers may be stopped from boarding transport bound for the UK, prompting a scramble for passports and paperwork among those who had planned visits home or holidays.

Under the expanded Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which the Home Office says is intended to modernise and digitalise Britain’s border controls, all visitors from visa‑exempt countries must obtain travel permission before arrival unless they are British or Irish citizens. However, because British nationals are not eligible to apply for an ETA — they do not need one — dual nationals no longer have the option to use their other country’s passport alone when entering the UK. Instead, they must present a British passport, a valid Irish passport if applicable, or attach a certificate of entitlement to their foreign passport proving their right of abode. This certificate currently costs about £589 and remains valid only as long as the foreign passport it is attached to is valid.

The shift has prompted concern and criticism from rights groups, advocates and individuals affected by the change, particularly those living abroad who never needed to keep up a British passport because they had been entering the UK on their other nationality’s travel document without issue for years. Many are now rushing to apply for British passports or pay for certificates of entitlement as the deadline approaches, often encountering long processing times and high costs that make travel planning more challenging. Some have argued the rules were poorly communicated, with complaints that they only learned of the change when trying to book travel or prepare for upcoming trips — a frustration echoed by dual nationals from countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and EU member states.

Critics also say the changes have unintended consequences that disproportionately affect certain groups. Campaigners have highlighted how local naming conventions — particularly in countries where married women retain their maiden names or include multiple surnames — can complicate British passport applications and require additional documentation to meet UK identity requirements. Some have even suggested the policy could deter travel for family visits or holidays and pose emotional and financial strain, especially for older dual nationals and those whose children have never held a British passport.

Supporters of the reforms argue that the updated passport rules simply align with international norms and address practical border‑control issues by ensuring that all British citizens entering the UK do so on official British travel documents, which can reduce confusion between British citizens, visa‑exempt foreign nationals and overstayers. The Home Office has stated that the new requirements aim to enhance national security and streamline border processing, particularly under the new ETA system. Irish passport holders remain exempt from ETA requirements under the longstanding Common Travel Area agreement, meaning Irish‑UK dual nationals can still enter the UK using an Irish passport.

For now, dual nationals worldwide are urged to check their documentation and apply for the necessary British passports or certificates of entitlement before 25 February to avoid being turned away at check‑in or denied entry at UK borders. With time running short, what began as a well‑publicised policy change for border administration is now a deeply personal and logistical challenge for many who simply want to visit their home country without disruption.

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