Explained: The new UK travel rule every Aussie should be aware of if you don’t want to be sent home at the airport
The UK’s confusing new entry requirements for dual citizens, including those who don’t know they inherited citizenship, came into effect on Thursday, February 25.
From now on, all Australian-British and Australian-Irish dual nationals must use a valid British or Irish passport when entering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Some travel providers may accept an expired UK passport as proof of dual citizenship during an adjustment period.
If travelling on a non-UK passport, dual-citizen travellers will need a Certificate of Entitlement.
Dual nationals will not be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or visa, and may be stopped from boarding flights without the correct documentation.
The strict new entry rule also applies to dual nationals who live permanently in Australia and usually travel on an Australian passport.
At the bottom of all the questions about the new system is one simple question: ‘Am I affected?’
Here’s our best shot at answering that.
Dual UK citizens, even though who don’t know they inherited UK citizenship from their parents, are required to enter the UK on a British or Irish passport from February 25
The new rules affect travellers entering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
If you were born before 1983
People born outside of the UK before January 1, 1983, are automatically a UK citizen if their father was British and married to their mother.
If you were born between 1983 and June 2006
Dual citizenship is automatically given to anyone born outside the UK between 1983 and June 2006 whose mother or father were British citizens.
However, those born outside the UK with a non-British mother only receive automatic citizenship if their British father was married to their mother.
If you were born on or after July 1, 2006
People born outside the UK after July 1, 2006, are automatically UK citizens if their mother or father was a British citizen when they were born.
Who can ‘pass on citizenship’?
A requirement of automatic citizenship for all the above scenarios is that the child’s British parent was able to ‘pass on citizenship’.
British parents – fathers only before 1983 – could pass on their UK citizenship if they were born or adopted in the UK, given citizenship after applying for it in their own right or were working as a Crown servant at the time of their child’s birth.
If you have no parents from the UK?
Breathe easy, you’re in the clear!
Automatic dual citizenship only affects the first generation born outside the UK.
So if you have grandparents or further relations from UK, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Dual citizens will need to either present a British or Irish passport, renounce their citizenship or hold a certificate of entitlement to enter the UK
So what are my options and how much do they cost?
If you’re a dual citizen heading to the UK, there are three options available to you:
1. Apply for a UK passport at a cost of about $190.
Standard adult passports last 10 years.
2. Apply for a certificate of entitlement for about $1,120.
The UK is switching to a new digital certificate of entitlement.
While the old format expired with the holder’s passport, the new digital format is a lifelong certificate.
3. Renounce your UK citizenship for roughly $968.
Automatic dual-citizens have the option to renounce their UK citizenship by submitting a Declaration of Renunciation to the UK Home Office, which can be done online.
