February 19, (THEWILL) — The United Kingdom government has warned that dual-citizen children born overseas must travel with valid British passports or risk being denied entry into the country under new border rules taking effect from February 25.
Under the changes announced by the Home Office, British children including babies, who hold dual nationality will no longer be allowed to rely on foreign passports or the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme when entering the UK.
Instead, they must present a British passport or obtain a “certificate of entitlement” costing £589, failing which airlines may refuse boarding or border officials may deny entry.
The Home Office explained that anyone born abroad to a British parent automatically qualifies for British citizenship and is therefore treated as a dual national.
Such children cannot renounce British citizenship until they turn 18, making them ineligible for the ETA scheme, which allows other foreign nationals to visit the UK for up to six months for £16.
Officials said the requirement applies even when a child is travelling alongside a parent who holds a British passport.
While officers of the UK Border Force retain discretion at ports of entry, the government warned that travellers without the appropriate documentation face a real risk of being turned away.
A government source said the policy forms part of broader efforts to modernise Britain’s digital border system and enable authorities to better distinguish dual British citizens from visa overstayers.
The Home Office also confirmed that the certificate of entitlement will now be valid permanently, meaning affected individuals will only need to apply once.
A Home Office spokesperson said the certificate should be considered a last resort, stressing that British citizens are encouraged to apply for passports instead.
The spokesperson added that public guidance advising dual nationals to carry correct documentation has been available since October 2024, while a major communications campaign on the ETA scheme has been running since 2023.
The department noted that the policy brings the UK in line with countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, where citizens are required to enter and leave using their national passports.
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