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New UK entry rules leave dual nationals stranded
From 25 February, dual nationals entering the UK must present a British passport or a costly digital certificate, a change critics call a "betrayal" of long-term residents.
What the new rules entail
Under the updated regulations, British dual nationals-whose second nationality is from a visa-exempt country-can no longer use their foreign passport to enter the UK. Instead, they must carry either a British passport or a digital certificate of entitlement linked to their second passport. Without these documents, airlines will deny boarding, effectively barring re-entry.
The certificate costs £589, while a British passport is priced at around £100. Neither is issued automatically upon naturalisation, leaving some dual nationals scrambling to apply before the deadline.
Why affected residents are furious
Jelena, a 34-year-old British-Latvian dual national who has lived in the UK for 16 years, called the changes a "betrayal." After gaining citizenship in November, she delayed applying for a British passport to visit family over Christmas. Now, she faces being locked out of her Glasgow home after a long-planned trip to South America.
"As it stands, after South America, I won't be able to return to my flat-the country I've lived in for nearly 16 years, studied in, and paid taxes to."
Jelena, British-Latvian dual national
Jelena plans to reroute her trip to Latvia to apply for a passport, potentially facing weeks of delays. Her employer has agreed to remote work, but she acknowledges not everyone would be so fortunate.
Critics slam lack of communication
Petra Gartzen, a UK-German dual national who has lived in Britain for 40 years, said she learned of the changes from a Facebook post while wintering in Spain. She described the process of securing a passport from abroad as "complicated and expensive," requiring a trip to Madrid for an in-person appointment.
"The UK is my home-I've lived there for 40 years, I own a home, I work and pay tax. My whole life is there."
Petra Gartzen, UK-German dual national
Swiss-British dual national Shaun West, a university professor, said he might renounce his British citizenship over the rules, calling them discriminatory. He argued the £16 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee-required for non-visa visitors-would be a simpler alternative.
Government defends reforms
A Home Office spokesperson stated that public guidance has been available since October 2024 and that the ETA campaign has run since 2023. The spokesperson added that the rules align with policies in the US, Canada, and Australia.
However, advocacy group the3million accused the government of failing to adequately warn affected individuals. Monique Hawkins, the group's head of policy, urged a pause and a "low-cost, one-off travel authorisation" for disrupted dual nationals.
Who is affected?
According to the 2021 UK census, 1.2% of UK-born residents (587,600) and 6.5% of non-UK-born residents (648,700) hold dual citizenship. The changes exempt Irish passport holders but apply to other EU citizens.
Linn Kathenes, a Norwegian-British teacher, said she only received a Home Office notification last week. She is now racing to secure a UK passport before an overseas school trip, relying on her renewed Norwegian passport to complete the application.
