From February 25, 2026, new travel restrictions will apply, and travelers are asking: Will the UK ban dual nationals who don’t have a British passport? It has become a concern for many travelers as new airline boarding regulations state that passengers must have travel authorizations prior to boarding. Many analysts have stated that officials will likely refuse British nationals entry to a flight if they do not have a British passport. Moreover, these restrictions are expected to affect over a million travelers.
Previously, dual nationals were able to use their non-British passports to enter the UK. However, the new Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) have changed that. Since British nationals cannot apply for an ETA, those who do not have a UK passport or a Certificate of Entitlement are in a very difficult situation. Will the UK ban dual nationals who don’t have a British passport? The answer relies heavily on the documents in possession of the traveler.
ETA and Dual Nationals
From now, US and Australian citizens are required to have an ETA. This is issued electronically and is linked to the holder’s foreign passport. However, the Home Office has omitted “British Citizen” from the ETA application, thus preventing dual nationals from obtaining travel authorizations.
Companies cannot submit travel requests for passengers who do not present a UK passport. UK regulations impose fines on companies who permit boarding without the appropriate documentation and travel restrictions due to border patrol. As a result, companies will likely prohibit boarding to individuals who have not provided proof of citizenship.
More Costs for UK Citizens Living Abroad
New regulations require dual national passport holders to present additional documents upon arrival to the UK. A digital certificate of entitlement, or, proof of entitlement to hold a UK passport will be required. These are not issued by government entities for free and do not come automatically upon the attainment of citizenship.
This process is a significant financial burden. A British passport is approximately £100, and a certificate of entitlement is £589. Both documents can take months, if not, more to be processed and issued. It is common for passengers to experience a great deal of frustration due to the amount of time allocated to travel preparation.
Travel Rights and Realities of the Law
The Immigration Act 1971 requires border patrol to demand proof of right of abode. A UK passport as proof is required. It is highly unlikely that border patrol will remove individuals, as airline personnel have the final discretion to permit or prohibit boarding to individuals based on demand for passport verification.
The Home Office has made another update regarding emergencies. If your UK passport expired after 1989, they may permit travel. However, this is not a long-term solution. Many experts suggest that, during this period of transition, the government should permit dual nationals to obtain ETAs.
New Travel Checks in a Global Context
Canada and the United States have similar ETA systems. However, given the February 25 deadline, the UK is feeling the urgency more acutely. These travel checks also pose significant challenges for families living overseas. Travelers should not have to take the risk of getting stuck in an airport.
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