The UK government is enforcing its digital travel policy, meaning that non-visa nationals who enter the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorisiation (ETA) will be barred from entry, starting today (25 February).

Visitors to the UK will require digital permission to travel, in the form of tourist visas or ETAs that typically cost £16.

However, dual nationals of the UK are facing a problematic condundrum thanks to the new policy. The new policy means that travellers to the UK must show a UK or Irish passport, an eVisa, an ETA, or another digital document proving their right to travel to the UK, or be barred.

Dual nationals who do not have a UK passport, however, cannot apply for the ETA, which is open to 85 countries which includes most of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

Instead, dual nationals who do not have a UK passport will be required to apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement, which costs £589. Each option takes several weeks to process. ETAs on the other hand can often be approved in minutes, though the Home Office recommends travellers leave a window of about three working days.

The changes will also require those with EU settled status to prove their immigration status upon arrival in the UK, with the government urging all residents and visa holders to keep their immigration papers up to date to avoid delays at passport control checks.

Dual nationals have expressed their dismay in the media at the changes, citing expensive passport requirements and long processing times barring their ability to travel to a country they have citizenship in.

Newer citizens have also lamented that the current citizenship process does not include informaiton on applying for a passport, and passport applications are not a part of the citizenship process.

Recommended reading

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• Digital UK Border Plans Progress with ETA Updates

When questioned on how the new rules would affect dual nationals who do not have a UK passport, Mike Tapp, minister for migration and citizenship, said that the government “allowed ample time between ETAs first being introduced in 2023 and the move to enforcement.” This however, does not necessarily apply to dual citizens who cannot apply for ETAs at all.

“The ETA scheme is a vital part of our work to strengthen the UK’s border security, helping to deliver a more efficient and modern service that works for both visitors and the British public,” Tapp said of the changes.

“I’d urge anyone wanting to travel to the UK to ensure they are travel ready and have the right permission, to make their journey much smoother.”