A sweeping overhaul of the United Kingdom’s immigration system has triggered widespread concern among dual nationals who now face the prospect of being denied entry to their own country. Effective February 25th, dramatic changes to documentation requirements will fundamentally alter how British citizens with additional nationalities can return to the UK.
Under the current framework, dual nationals whose secondary citizenship originates from visa-exempt nations could freely enter Britain using their foreign passport. The new regulations eliminate this provision, mandating instead that all British citizens must present either a valid UK passport or a digital Certificate of Entitlement—costing £589—to gain entry. Neither document is automatically issued upon citizenship acquisition, creating significant hurdles for those who have never applied for them.
The changes form part of the broader implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which requires visitors without visas to obtain pre-arrival clearance. While the government maintains these reforms align the UK with international standards practiced by nations like the United States and Australia, affected individuals report receiving insufficient warning about the impending deadline.
Jelena, a British-Latvian chartered surveyor residing in Glasgow for 16 years, discovered the policy shift while preparing for a South American journey. Having recently obtained citizenship in November, she now faces impossible choices: cancel long-awaited travel plans or risk being barred from returning to her home and career. “The irony is that I’ve chosen to be part of this country but it feels like I’m being deported,” she expressed to BBC News.
Similar distress echoes among the estimated 1.2 million dual nationals residing in Britain. Petra Gartzen, a UK-German citizen for four decades, is frantically attempting to secure documentation from Spain where she is currently staying. She criticized the communication breakdown: “There was no lead up, no major announcement—I found out about it from a Facebook post.”
Academic Shaun West, holding British-Swiss citizenship, is considering renouncing his UK status entirely rather than comply with what he perceives as discriminatory measures. Meanwhile, educator Linn Kathenes races against time to arrange documentation for an overseas school trip, calling the situation a “gamble” with professional consequences.
The Home Office defends its outreach efforts, citing public information campaigns since October 2024. However, advocacy group the3million demands immediate suspension of the rules, urging implementation of low-cost travel authorizations for those caught unaware. With processing times extending weeks and substantial financial burdens, many dual nationals face extended separation from their homes, families, and livelihoods despite their legal status as British citizens.