British children born outside the country may soon face new hurdles when travelling to the UK, following a change in passport rules set to take effect on February 25.
Under the updated policy, dual British citizens will be required to present a valid British passport when entering the UK. Those without one must apply for a certificate of entitlement, which costs £589. Without either document, they risk being stopped before boarding their flight or turned away at the border.
Children born abroad to a British parent automatically qualify for British citizenship, even if they also hold another nationality. They cannot give up that status until they turn 18. As a result, they are not eligible to travel under the UK’s electronic travel authorisation system, which allows foreign nationals to visit for up to six months for a £16 fee. Instead, they must comply with the new passport requirement.
The Home Office has made it clear that the rule applies to everyone, including infants and minors travelling with a British parent. Airlines have been advised that dual nationals who fail to present the proper documentation could be denied boarding. While Border Force officers may exercise discretion in certain cases, there is no guarantee of entry without the required paperwork.
Officials say the move forms part of a broader effort to modernise the UK’s digital border controls. A government source explained that the measure is also intended to help authorities better distinguish between dual citizens and individuals who overstay their visas.
The Home Office has noted that the certificate of entitlement will now be valid permanently, meaning applicants only need to apply once. However, it maintains that obtaining a British passport remains the preferred and more straightforward option.
In a statement a spokesperson said guidance for dual nationals has been publicly available since October 2024, alongside an ongoing information campaign about the rollout of the electronic travel authorisation system. The spokesperson added that the requirement applies to all British citizens with dual nationality and reflects similar policies already in place in countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
