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The Home Office warns that dual British citizens could be refused entry into the UK if they do not have their British passports next week.
A change in border controls from February 25 means they must show their UK passport or pay €634 (£589) for a ‘certificate of entitlement’ attached to their second nationality.
They will not be allowed to board any flight, ferry or train to the UK without this document or a passport that is valid.
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Many Brits who live abroad and whose UK passports are long expired find this new rule distressing.
They have to choose between re-applying for their UK passport and paying the steep price of the aforementioned document, or they can renounce British citizenship and travel as foreign tourists.
The parents of young children are left with fewer options, as citizenship can only be renounced at 18 years old.
The two adult daughters of British expat James Stuart, based in Cadiz, will be forced to choose between the three options as currently their UK passports ‘sit in a cupboard expired’.
This hotelier’s children, 21 and 18, were born in Spain and always travel on their Spanish passports because ‘they’ve had no problem before’.
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According to him, it is easier to travel throughout Europe with an EU Passport.
The decision has caused them ‘considerable angst’, in particular because the youngest travels regularly to the UK to see her boyfriend.
The boss of the Califa Hotel in Vejer continued, “They don’t understand the need for change.”
Many expats find it difficult to reapply for a British Passport, as they have to provide original birth certificates along with numerous other documents.
It is likely that even those who are prepared with all the necessary paperwork to reapply will be disappointed. Renewing an expired British passport takes weeks from when the application is sent and costs approximately £100.
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If you have a UK trip planned after the warning, you may face delays in your flight or be denied boarding.
These people could have to cancel their travels while others will be unable to travel until their new passport arrives, something which Stuart says his daughters will be ‘upset’ about.
A ‘certificate of entitlement’ is also difficult to obtain as they must be applied for in person at a consulate and can take between six to eight weeks to be processed.
It is predicted that the document will become even harder to obtain over the next months due to the influx of applications expected at the Home Office.
Border control changes do not just affect dual nationals. Unless British, Irish, or other exemptions apply, anyone visiting the UK must have permission before they travel.
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For short holidays and trips, visitors need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that costs £16.
It is the necessity of this ETA that stops dual British nationals from entering the country without their UK passport or a ‘certificate of entitlement’ – those with dual citizenship are unable to obtain a ETA.
The changes will cause havoc for hundreds of expats, who are now faced with rushed applications and unexpected costs. They may also face travel disruptions.
Travel News by The Olive Press.
