There is some good news for dual nationals travelling to the UK this week. From Wednesday, visitors to the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if they do not need a visa for short stays of up to six months, or do not already have a UK immigration status. From 25 February 2026 visitors without an ETA will not be able to board their transport and cannot travel to the UK, unless exempt.
This has caused some confusion for dual nationals and the UK government has updated its guidance for British and Irish dual nationals. Travellers who hold both an expired UK passport as well as a valid passport from a country that’s eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation may now be able to enter the UK.
From Wednesday, dual citizens of the UK and Ireland would previously have needed a valid British or Irish passport, or a costly Certificate of Entitlement, to board planes, ferries, or international trains under controversial new rules. But the UK Home Office has updated its website, saying carriers could now “at their own discretion” accept an “expired British passport as an alternative document”.
The temporary guidance states carriers such as airlines and ferry operators may allow dual nationals to travel if they hold both an expired UK passport issued in 1989 or later, as well as a valid passport for a nationality eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The Liberal Democrats have urged the Home Office to introduce a short ‘grace period’ so that families caught out by the change are not stranded abroad. Shadow immigration minister Will Forster said the “chaotic communication” around the rollout has left thousands of UK citizens overseas frantically booking emergency passport appointments, cancelling trips, and, in some cases, missing funerals or medical treatment.
According to VisaHQ industry groups Abta and Airlines UK back a phased approach, warning that airports could see last-minute confusion at half-term. Travel-rights campaigners add that the alternative certificate of entitlement—priced at £589 each time a new passport is issued—hits families with children hardest and may discriminate against women whose married names differ across passports.
Applying for an ETA is quick and simple. Most applicants currently get an automatic decision in minutes when applying through the UK ETA app. Visitors can find more information about applying for an ETA on GOV.UK An ETA currently costs £16 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. Other application services may charge a higher fee than the UK Government.
As with all our fees the cost of an ETA is kept under review, and we intend to increase the cost of an ETA to £20 in the future. We will provide more information in due course. The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security, including the US and Australia, and helps prevent the arrival of those who present a threat to the UK.