New travel rules in the United Kingdom are creating difficulties for dual citizens, particularly those with Australian and British nationality, who now face bureaucratic hurdles and potential travel disruptions. The changes, implemented to digitize the immigration system, require all visitors to obtain digital permission to enter the UK, but have inadvertently complicated travel for individuals who previously relied on passports from either country.
UK Travel Rules Impact Dual Citizens
Gabrielle Mordy, a long-time resident of Australia with British citizenship through her father, discovered the impact of the new rules when planning an academic conference trip to the UK scheduled for March. She had previously travelled easily between the two countries using her Australian passport for the past two decades.
Announced in November, the UK is now enforcing pre-departure checks for all international travellers, requiring either an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or eVisa from February 25. The UK government states the change will “digitise the immigration system” and move towards a “contactless UK border.”
The £16 ($31) ETA is intended for visa-exempt visitors from countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada. However, British and Irish citizens who also hold citizenship in another country are ineligible for an ETA and must present a valid British or Irish passport. Alternatively, they can obtain a certificate of entitlement (COE) – costing £589 – or renounce their British citizenship, a process taking six months and costing £482.
‘It Seems Quite Cruel’
Mordy learned of the rule change in late January, leaving her with limited time to comply. Because her British passport expired over 20 years ago, she requires a full application rather than a renewal. She has faced difficulties obtaining a long-form birth certificate, ordering it twice due to an unclear digital application process.
“I’ve now ordered a second birth certificate and I’m getting it couriered,” Mordy said. “It seems like an extraordinarily long time.”
The British High Commission suggested a COE, but that would require surrendering her Australian passport for up to eight weeks. Mordy described the situation as “quite cruel,” citing a lack of a clear timeline for processing.
Industry Reports Widespread Anxiety
The changes are impacting the Australian travel industry. Vicki Hope, a Sydney travel adviser, says some clients have had to drastically alter their plans. “In some cases, we are working to a firm deadline, if the [UK] passport doesn’t arrive, the trip would need to be cancelled and rebooked,” she said.
Hope noted that Australian-born dual citizens who previously didn’t need a UK passport are now feeling “unsure” and “anxious.”
Kara Przybylski, 26, a dual citizen based in Brisbane, learned about the new rules in early February. She plans to visit the UK but has delayed booking flights, not wanting to “clog the system” for those with urgent travel needs. She indicated she would have preferred to pursue a Polish passport instead.
A spokesperson for the high commission confirmed receiving a “significant volume of enquiries” from British-Australian dual citizens. They stated they have addressed frequently asked questions through email, social media posts, and videos featuring the deputy high commissioner.
Mordy found official support channels lacking, reporting being redirected to a website or asked for payment for advice when calling the high commission. Public reaction has been divided, with some arguing citizens should always carry their national passport.
However, one social media commenter pointed out that a four-month-old Australian-born daughter, a UK citizen by birth, is unable to enter the UK, while a non-citizen can enter with an ETA. Dual citizens are facing a difficult choice between their heritage and financial burdens. “I’m a UK citizen by descent … now I’ll have to decide between the expense and hassle of renewing my passport or the expense and hassle of renouncing citizenship,” one commenter said. “Better to not bother going at all.”
Another commenter stated, “Many of us have elderly parents in the UK … To think with my Australian passport I can pretty much enter [every] country on the planet apart from the one I’m BORN in beggars belief … Regardless of the route I take I certainly don’t feel British any more.”
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