An apparent technical glitch in the UK's new ETA electronic visa-waiver is effectively barring entry to the UK to some British dual nationals, The Local can reveal.
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<p>In April the UK <a href="https://www.thelocal.fr/20250107/what-changes-for-travel-to-the-uk-from-france-from-january-8th" target="_blank" rel="noopener">will expand its Electronic Travel Authorisation</a> to include EU, EEA, Swiss and Norwegian citizens, but as travellers begin to make their applications for the electronic visa waiver, some British dual-nationals have encountered a problem that is effectively barring them from entry to the UK.
In what appears to be a technical glitch in the online application process, some people who have dual nationality for the UK and another country, but don’t have a valid UK passport, report having their ETA applications blocked.
Dual nationals with British or Irish citizenship should be exempt from getting an ETA – but only if they have a current and valid UK/Irish passport.
If their UK passport is expired or lost meaning they are forced to travel on their “other” passport, then they need to apply for an ETA.
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But in a twist it appears they are then barred from applying for an ETA at the point in the online application when they have to say they have British nationality.
This effectively leaves them in a trap and unable to travel because they will be denied entry to the UK if they are travelling on an EU passport without an ETA. This includes in some cases the EU-born children of UK nationals.
How the process works for dual nationals
In principle, dual nationals should be able to choose which passport to travel on – unlike the US, the UK does not require its citizens to use their UK passport to enter the country.
The passports of dual nationals are not ‘linked’ for border control, so you are treated according to the passport that you present.
But although UK-European dual nationals should theoretically be able to choose to travel on their European passport, the website and app that processes ETA applications does not appear to allow this.
As applicants go through the questions and upload their documents, they reach one asking ‘Add any other nationalities you have, including any you have had in the past’.
Screenshot from the UK’s ETA application process
Readers of The Local who are dual nationals have reported that the website or app does not allow them to declare being British as an ‘other’ nationality and proceed any further with the application.
Local reader Richard said: “A dual Danish/Spanish/whatever nationality that holds British nationality will denied an ETA in their foreign passport because on the application for a UK ETA it will ask you if you have other nationalities. The moment you say British your application will be denied.”
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One reader noted that applicants face "having to lie on their ETA application and chancing it" or make sure they renew their British passport in time, or apply for a UK passport if they have never had one.
Not declaring that you are also a British citizen is not recommended; while British government computer systems aren’t known for being joined up, making a false declaration could be an offence.
Anyone travelling on an European passport without an ETA will be turned back at the border, or denied boarding to their flight, train or ferry, unless they can show a valid UK or Irish passport.
ETA began to be rolled out in late 2024, starting with a small group of non-EU countries and then expanding to include all non-EU citizens from the beginning of January.
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From April 2nd it will also be required for anyone travelling on an European passport (EU plus EFTA - Switzerland, Norway, Iceland; Liechtenstein) - with the exception of people using a UK or Irish passport. Applications are now open for European citizens and many people are already making their travel preparations.
The ETA must be applied for online in advance of travel, it costs £10 and lasts for two years – find full details HERE.
Why would dual nationals not have a UK passport?
Having citizenship of a country and having a valid passport is not the same thing. There may be any number of reasons why dual nationals would not have a UK/Irish passport, some of the most common ones are;
- The passport is being renewed or has been lost of stolen – one of the great advantages of being a dual national is that if one passport is off being renewed, or has been lost/stolen you can simply use the other one while you are waiting
- The passport has expired – if a UK passport has expired and the dual national uses their other passport to travel, they may feel that it is not worth the cost to renew it. Renewing a UK passport from overseas costs £101 for adults and £65.50 for children
- They never had a passport – this is especially relevant to UK nationals who live abroad and have had children there. Their children are entitled to British citizenship, but if parents want a UK passport for their child they will need to apply, and pay the fees. Not all parents feel that this is worth it, or want to pay the fees, so it’s not especially unusual to find Brits living abroad who had children who are British citizens, but have never had a UK passport
The Local has asked the UK government to look into this problem and provide some guidance for British or Irish dual nationals hoping to travel to the UK.
Have you had issues with the ETA app or website? Share your experiences in the comments section below
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