Significant changes to the United Kingdom's border rules are set to complicate travel for tens of thousands of Australians holding dual British citizenship. From 25 February 2024, the UK Home Office will begin strictly enforcing a requirement for dual nationals to use their British passport when entering the country, marking the end of a more flexible era.
What Are the New Passport Requirements?
Historically, Australians who also held British or Irish citizenship could choose which passport to present upon arrival in the UK. This flexibility is now ending as part of the rollout of the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. The ETA is a digital permit for visitors from visa-exempt countries, like Australia, costing £10 and valid for two years.
However, British and Irish citizens are not eligible for an ETA. Therefore, to prove their automatic right to enter and reside in the UK, they must now present either a valid British/Irish passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode attached to their Australian passport. Airlines are mandated to check this documentation before allowing boarding, to avoid fines for carrying improperly documented passengers.
Options and Costs for Affected Travellers
For Australian-British dual citizens, there are three clear paths forward. The simplest and most cost-effective is to travel on a current British passport, with adult passports costing around $190 AUD. The alternative, a Certificate of Entitlement, is considerably more expensive at approximately $1,182 AUD. The final, drastic option would be to renounce British citizenship.
For those with urgent travel needs before the 24 February deadline, applying for an Emergency Travel Document may be a temporary solution, provided they hold a valid Australian passport. It is crucial to note that the ETA requirement also applies to those transiting through the UK, even if they do not plan to pass through border control.
Why the Change and Who Is Impacted?
The shift aims to close a loophole identified in pre-departure checks. Previously, if a dual national booked travel using only their non-British passport, airlines had no way of knowing they were exempt from standard immigration controls. The new system ensures clarity and compliance.
While exact numbers are unavailable, the change is poised to affect a substantial community. Recent data shows 12,674 UK nationals became Australian citizens last year, and the broader population of England-born residents in Australia is nearly one million. The Home Office has advised dual citizens to switch to using their British passports for travel, with transitional arrangements fully concluding by early 2026.
All Australian citizens without British nationality must remember to apply for their ETA at least three days before travel, via the official app or website, to avoid being denied boarding.
