The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has expanded to include European travellers, with all EU (except Irish nationals), EEA, and Swiss citizens requiring ETA approval to enter the UK as of 2 April 2025. This system, which costs £10 (€12) or £16 (€19) depending on the date of application, was rolled out to travellers from the US, Canada, Australia, and several Middle Eastern countries in previous months. To obtain the visa waiver, travellers must complete an online process via the official mobile app or website, providing a passport, email address, and payment method. The application should be submitted at least three working days before travel, and the ETA will be digitally linked to the traveller’s passport.
However, the application process has caused confusion for British dual nationals who do not have a valid British passport due to expiration, loss, or never having been issued one. The ETA application form does not provide an option for selecting ‘British citizen’ as a nationality, leaving these individuals unsure of whether they need to declare their dual nationality when applying for the visa waiver. In response to inquiries, a Home Office ETA advisor advised that British citizens with Irish citizenship are exempt from requiring an ETA and may travel with a valid British or Irish passport. If a traveller is unable to obtain these documents, they would need to apply for a new British passport or a certificate of entitlement, which can be costly and time-consuming processes.
For British dual nationals without a valid British passport, the issue of whether to declare their ‘secondary’ nationality on the ETA application form remains unclear. The drop-down menu on the form does not include an option for ‘British citizen’, leading to confusion for those who do not possess a valid British passport but hold dual nationality. The Home Office advisor recommended that travellers with British/Irish citizenship do not need an ETA and should travel with the appropriate documentation to prove their right of abode in the UK. However, the lack of clarity on the application process for those without a valid British passport has raised concerns for affected individuals.
Renewing a UK passport from overseas carries a cost of £101 (€123), while obtaining a certificate of entitlement incurs a fee of £550 (€658) and both processes can take several weeks to complete. The lack of official guidance from the Home Office on how British dual nationals without a valid British passport should proceed with the ETA application process has left affected individuals in limbo. Euronews Travel has sought clarification from the Home Office on the requirements for British dual nationals applying for the UK’s ETA visa waiver, as confusion continues to impact travellers affected by the application process.
