Many British citizens who hold another nationality are being barred from entering the UK unless they have a British passport or a £589 certificate as a result of the Home Office's efforts to digitize travel documents.
From February 25, travelers to the UK must have a current British or Irish passport, an electronic travel authorization (ETA), an eVisa, or another digital document. The government introduced ETAs in October 2023 but did not strictly enforce them until today.
People of all ages from 85 countries including most of Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States can apply for a two-year ETA to enter the UK at a cost of £16, online or through an app. Airlines, ferries, and international train services are required to check that passengers have permission to enter the UK before they board.
However, the government bans British citizens, including those with another nationality, from ETAs, meaning they either need to apply for a British passport if they don't have one or spend £589 on a certificate of entitlement. Both options take several weeks.
Jackie Wheatland, an 80-year-old who lives in Alberta with dual Canadian-British citizenship, told The Times that she cannot afford to obtain a new UK passport, meaning she may have to break a promise to attend the funeral of her 101-year-old former mother-in-law. "It's like a punishment, and it seems the UK government is taking a leaf out of the Trump playbook," she said.
Others said the scheme has been poorly publicized and is not integrated with the process of applying for British citizenship. A Polish woman who recently gained British citizenship and now holds dual nationality is unsure whether she would be able to return to the UK if she visits a sick relative in Poland as the process did not include applying for a passport.
The Home Office said the change was a significant step in its plans to digitize the immigration system, move towards a contactless border, and help prevent people who pose a threat from entering the UK.
In response to a parliamentary written question from Conservative MP Richard Holden on the problems for dual nationals, minister Mike Tapp said last month that the government has worked extensively to communicate the changes.
"We recognize that this is a significant change for millions of travelers, and that is why we have allowed ample time between ETAs first being introduced in 2023 and the move to enforcement," he added.
The government has taken in excess of £383 million from more than 19 million travelers since introducing ETAs in October 2023. The Home Office says many applications are approved within minutes, but recommends that applicants allow three working days. ®
Source: The register