Under the new changes, British and Irish dual citizens will no longer be permitted to enter the UK on a non British passport. Instead, they must travel on a valid British or Irish passport, or hold a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) in a non-British passport, confirming their right of abode.
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The rule change has prompted frustration among dual citizens, with some travellers reporting tight timeframes to secure new passports ahead of upcoming trips. British passport processing times can take between six and 13 weeks, while additional documentation – such as UK birth certificates – may also be required.
Australians without UK or Irish citizenship will need to apply for a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), costing around A$32, before travelling to the UK.
The UK Government has advised travellers not to book flights until their passport documentation is finalised, noting that passport numbers will change. It described the move as a key step towards a fully digitised and contactless UK border.
In the past financial year, 635,000 Australians visited the UK, according to ABS data, making the changes particularly relevant for the Australian market.
Costs vary significantly for dual citizens, with British passport applications from Australia costing around A$280, Irish passports approximately A$156, and a COE priced at around A$1,180 when applied for outside the UK.
