New rules for British dual nationals entering UK: How are those in France affected?

British dual nationals will soon need to travel into the UK on a British passport or via a £550 ‘certificate of entitlement’ regardless of whether they hold a valid passport for another country. 

The UK Home Office announced that changes to how dual nationals travel into the country will take place due to the rollout of the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Fully in force since April 2, it requires non-British/Irish citizens who do not have a valid visa, residency permit or right to abode in the UK to obtain prior authorisation to travel through an online application for an ETA.

Read more: Binationals, French children of Britons: Your questions about April 2 ETA change to visit UK

According to a factsheet published on April 2, British and Irish citizens who are also dual nationals of another country that benefits from visa-free travel through the ETA (such as France, the US, Australia, etc) can currently still travel into the UK on this other passport if they do not have a UK passport or certificate of entitlement.

“We recognise that the introduction of the ETA is a substantial change for British dual citizens of ETA eligible nationalities, and they are currently permitted to travel on their non-British passport while the scheme is being implemented,” the Home Office says.

“In the future, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border. We will make it clear when this change will be enforced.” 

We have asked the Home Office if it is possible to clarify their meaning: if this means these nationals may visit the UK on a foreign passport without an ETA it is unclear to us how they are to prove at the border that they are British citizens.

That being said, The Connexion has received emails from readers stating they were unable to complete an ETA application as a dual national.

Dual nationals are strongly encouraged to visit with a British/Irish passport if possible. 

Certificate of entitlement or passport soon required

The Home office states that from an unspecified date, the option of arriving on the foreign passport will end, and dual nationals will have to have either a UK passport or certificate.

This certificate can be placed in non-UK passports to confirm that the person holds UK citizenship and has the right to abode in the UK, even if they do not currently have a British passport. 

It is only issued to citizens who do not hold a valid UK passport, and is limited to one per person – this means if you hold multiple non-UK passports, the certificate can only be attached to one. 

Applications for those living outside of the UK are made online through the official government website, and it takes around three weeks for a response. 

The certificate – which is to be attached in your non-UK passport by you – is included in the letter announcing the Home Office’s decision. 

The date these changes are set to take place is currently unknown.

Passport or certificate of entitlement – which is easier to obtain? 

British dual nationals abroad therefore face a decision whether they wish to obtain a British passport or apply for this certificate. 

As mentioned, the latter can only be applied for if you do not hold a valid UK passport. 

In cases where you have lost your passport, you will need to reapply for it. 

In terms of costs, applying for a British passport – even when overseas – is significantly cheaper than obtaining a certificate of entitlement. 

This is the case even with incoming price increases for UK passport applications.

Read more: UK passport fees set to rise: How much extra for Britons abroad?

Both will take around three weeks to arrive.

It is also worth nothing that you must reapply for the certificate at full cost each time your passport expires. 

Therefore, in most cases it will likely be easier to get a UK passport as opposed to a certificate of entitlement to travel into the UK. 

We have asked the Home Office if it can provide examples of where the certificate option would be necessary.