New rules for British dual nationals entering UK: How are those in France affected?

British dual nationals will soon need either a UK passport or ‘certificate of entitlement’ when travelling to the UK, regardless of whether they hold a valid passport for another country.

The certificate of entitlement which proves you have right of abode in the UK costs £550.

The UK Home Office announced the changes will take place due to the rollout of the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Fully in force since April 2, the ETA requires non-UK/Irish citizens who do not have a valid visa, residency permit or right to abode in the UK to obtain prior authorisation to visit the UK. It can be obtained via online application.

Read more: Binationals, French children of Britons: Your questions about April 2 ETA change to visit UK

According to a factsheet published on April 2, UK and Irish citizens who are also dual nationals of another country that benefits from visa-free travel through the ETA (such as France, the US, Australia, etc) can currently still travel into the UK on this other passport if they do not have a UK passport or certificate of entitlement.

“We recognise that the introduction of the ETA is a substantial change for British dual citizens of ETA eligible nationalities, and they are currently permitted to travel on their non-British passport while the scheme is being implemented,” the Home Office says.

“In the future, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid UK passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border. We will make it clear when this change will be enforced.”

We have asked the Home Office if it is possible to clarify their meaning, as, if this means these nationals may visit the UK on a foreign passport without an ETA, it is unclear how they prove at the border that they are UK citizens.

That said, The Connexion has received emails from readers stating they were unable to complete an ETA application as a dual national.

Certificate of entitlement or UK passport soon required

The Home Office states that from a date yet to be specified, dual nationals will need either a UK passport or certificate of entitlement to enter the UK - the option of them using a foreign passport in the same way as they have to date.

This certificate can be placed in non-UK passports to confirm that the person holds UK citizenship and has the right to abode in the UK, even if they do not currently have a UK passport.

The certificate is only issued to citizens who do not hold a valid UK passport, and is limited to one per person – this means if you hold multiple non-UK passports, the certificate can only be attached to one.

Applications for those living outside of the UK are made online via the official government website, and it takes around three weeks for a response.

If successful in applying, the certificate, which you must attach to your non-UK passport, is included with the letter announcing the Home Office’s decision.

The date these changes are set to take place is currently unknown.

UK passport or certificate of entitlement – which is easier to obtain? 

British dual nationals abroad therefore face a decision whether they wish to obtain a UK passport or apply for this certificate.

As mentioned, the latter can only be applied for if you do not hold a valid UK passport. Should you lose your passport you will need to reapply for a certificate.

In terms of costs, applying for a UK passport, even from overseas, is significantly cheaper than obtaining a certificate of entitlement.

Read more: UK passport fees set to rise: How much extra for Britons abroad?

Both will take around three weeks to arrive.

Note that you must reapply for the certificate at full cost each time your passport expires.

As it appears better to get a UK passport as opposed to a certificate of entitlement to travel into the UK we have asked the Home Office if it can provide examples of where the certificate option would be necessary.