Alongside the wider ETA rollout, the UK has tightened documentation rules for its own citizens. From February 25, airlines must ensure that every British citizen – even if they hold another passport – travels on a valid British passport or a foreign passport endorsed with a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. Dual nationals who habitually used only their non-UK passport can therefore be denied boarding (gulfnews.com).
The British Embassy in the UAE says the measure closes a legal loophole and supports the country’s shift to fully digital immigration records. Yet many long-term UAE residents discovered the change only days before implementation. Obtaining a first UK passport can take six to eight weeks and costs about £100; a Certificate of Entitlement costs £589 and requires surrendering the passport during processing. Travel consultants report dozens of urgent calls from dual nationals with spring-break plans now in jeopardy.
![New UK Border Rule Strands Some British Dual Nationals Living in UAE]()
Airlines have limited discretion: temporary guidance allows them to accept certain expired British passports issued after 1989, but only if the personal data matches a still-valid foreign passport. Corporate travel managers are advising affected staff to review their documentation immediately and, where necessary, reroute via third-country hubs until proper papers are secured.
For those scrambling to secure the right documents, VisaHQ can help cut through the red tape. Through its UAE platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/), the service offers step-by-step assistance with UK passport renewals, Certificates of Entitlement and other travel authorisations, providing tracking tools and expert support that can shave precious days off tight travel timelines.
The episode highlights an often-overlooked compliance risk: employees who hold multiple nationalities may need to carry – and keep current – more than one set of travel documents. Mobility policies that reimburse only one passport renewal fee may need revision.
The British Embassy in the UAE says the measure closes a legal loophole and supports the country’s shift to fully digital immigration records. Yet many long-term UAE residents discovered the change only days before implementation. Obtaining a first UK passport can take six to eight weeks and costs about £100; a Certificate of Entitlement costs £589 and requires surrendering the passport during processing. Travel consultants report dozens of urgent calls from dual nationals with spring-break plans now in jeopardy.
Airlines have limited discretion: temporary guidance allows them to accept certain expired British passports issued after 1989, but only if the personal data matches a still-valid foreign passport. Corporate travel managers are advising affected staff to review their documentation immediately and, where necessary, reroute via third-country hubs until proper papers are secured.
For those scrambling to secure the right documents, VisaHQ can help cut through the red tape. Through its UAE platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/), the service offers step-by-step assistance with UK passport renewals, Certificates of Entitlement and other travel authorisations, providing tracking tools and expert support that can shave precious days off tight travel timelines.
The episode highlights an often-overlooked compliance risk: employees who hold multiple nationalities may need to carry – and keep current – more than one set of travel documents. Mobility policies that reimburse only one passport renewal fee may need revision.
