With less than two weeks until the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) regime becomes fully enforceable, the Home Office has issued a stark warning to dual nationals: arrive with a valid British passport or expect to be treated as a foreign traveller. From 25 February 2026, carriers will refuse boarding to dual citizens who present only their non-UK passport unless they hold a costly Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode, priced at £589.
The change closes a long-standing loophole whereby dual citizens could enter on the visa-waiver privileges of their second nationality. Officials argue that treating all British citizens the same simplifies carrier checks once ETAs are mandatory for 85 visa-exempt countries. Yet the practical effect is greatest on Britons resident overseas who have let their UK passport lapse, as well as on children born abroad who never held one.
Airlines have already updated advance-passenger-information (API) prompts so that a British place of birth triggers additional document checks. Global mobility managers should circulate the update to employees on local-hire contracts who travel back to the UK regularly for training or meetings. A failure to carry the correct document could strand staff overseas and trigger expensive re-routing.
![Dual British nationals warned: carry a UK passport or pay £589 certificate fee from 25 February]()
For travellers unsure whether they need a new British passport, an ETA or a Certificate of Entitlement, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Through its dedicated UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/), the company offers real-time eligibility checks, expedited passport renewals and expert assistance with Right of Abode applications—helping both individuals and corporate mobility teams avoid last-minute disruptions and unnecessary costs.
Lobby groups, including The 3million and British in Europe, say the policy was poorly communicated and disproportionately affects mixed-nationality families. They have asked ministers to consider a low-cost digital attestation similar to Canada’s eTA for dual citizens, but officials insist the certificate fee reflects a “bespoke manual process”.
In the meantime, consulates are bracing for a late surge in emergency-passport applications. Processing times average six weeks, so HR teams should identify at-risk travellers now and help them expedite renewals where possible.
The change closes a long-standing loophole whereby dual citizens could enter on the visa-waiver privileges of their second nationality. Officials argue that treating all British citizens the same simplifies carrier checks once ETAs are mandatory for 85 visa-exempt countries. Yet the practical effect is greatest on Britons resident overseas who have let their UK passport lapse, as well as on children born abroad who never held one.
Airlines have already updated advance-passenger-information (API) prompts so that a British place of birth triggers additional document checks. Global mobility managers should circulate the update to employees on local-hire contracts who travel back to the UK regularly for training or meetings. A failure to carry the correct document could strand staff overseas and trigger expensive re-routing.
For travellers unsure whether they need a new British passport, an ETA or a Certificate of Entitlement, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Through its dedicated UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/), the company offers real-time eligibility checks, expedited passport renewals and expert assistance with Right of Abode applications—helping both individuals and corporate mobility teams avoid last-minute disruptions and unnecessary costs.
Lobby groups, including The 3million and British in Europe, say the policy was poorly communicated and disproportionately affects mixed-nationality families. They have asked ministers to consider a low-cost digital attestation similar to Canada’s eTA for dual citizens, but officials insist the certificate fee reflects a “bespoke manual process”.
In the meantime, consulates are bracing for a late surge in emergency-passport applications. Processing times average six weeks, so HR teams should identify at-risk travellers now and help them expedite renewals where possible.
