Effective February 25th, 2026
This guide forms part of our complete UK Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United Kingdom.
Significant changes to UK immigration rules are set to take effect on February 25, 2026, specifically affecting British dual nationals. The new regulations alter how individuals with both British and foreign citizenship can enter the UK, with strict enforcement expected at border control.
What is Changing?
Previously, dual nationals could travel to the UK using their foreign passport if that country did not require a UK visa. Under the new rules, dual nationals must present a valid British passport to enter the UK.
Alternatively, they can obtain a “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode” (CoE), a digital document affixed to their foreign passport that proves their right to live in the UK.
This change coincides with the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which requires visa-exempt visitors (including EU, US, and Australian citizens) to obtain pre-travel authorisation. Crucially, dual nationals cannot apply for an ETA; they must comply with the new British passport or CoE requirement. Airlines and transport carriers will enforce these rules before boarding, meaning non-compliant travellers risk being denied entry to flights, ferries, or trains bound for the UK.
UK Passport Renewal Costs
For those needing to obtain or renew a British passport, the standard fees are as follows:
· Online application (standard service): £94.50 for adults, £61.50 for children . Processing typically takes three weeks from receipt of documents.
· Postal application: £107 for adults, £74 for children—more expensive and slower than online.
· Expedited services: Same-day premium service costs £222, while one-week fast track is £178. Note that premium services are not available for first-time adult applicants.
The government also offers free passport renewals for those born on or before September 2, 1929 (aged 96 or over).
As an alternative to a passport, dual nationals may apply for a Certificate of Entitlement, which carries a significantly higher fee of £589.
What This Means for Expats Abroad
For British expats living overseas who hold dual nationality, these changes carry serious implications. Many long-term residents abroad have never held a British passport, having previously relied on their foreign passport for UK travel. With the February 25 deadline approaching, those without a valid British passport or CoE face potential travel disruption.
Reports indicate that some expats discovered the rule change through social media while already abroad, leaving them scrambling to apply for documents from overseas. Applying from outside the UK can complicate the process, as some applicants have been required to provide original citizenship certificates that remain in the UK.
The Home Office advises that public information about these changes has been available since October 2024, but critics argue communication has been insufficient. The government defends the reforms as bringing the UK in line with countries like the US, Canada, and Australia, which impose similar requirements.
Practical Advice for Affected Travellers
Dual nationals planning UK travel should:
· Check their passport status immediately; if you lack a valid British passport, begin the application process well in advance of any travel.
· Apply online where possible for cost savings and faster processing.
· Do not book travel until you have the required documentation in hand, as new passports receive different numbers.
· Consider the CoE option only if urgently needed and you cannot obtain a passport in time, though the £589 fee makes this a costly alternative.
Failure to comply with the new rules could result in being barred from boarding transport to the UK or facing delays at the border while officials verify nationality.
