Starting February 25, dual British-Canadian citizens will no longer be able to enter the United Kingdom using only a Canadian passport.
Under updated entry enforcement tied to the U.K.’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) rollout, anyone who holds British or Irish citizenship must present a valid British or Irish passport when travelling to the U.K. A Canadian passport alone will not suffice, and in some cases, travellers could be denied boarding.
What’s Behind the Change?
While the U.K. has long required British citizens to enter on a British passport, enforcement is tightening as the country modernizes its border controls through digital pre-screening and the ETA system.
Under the new framework:
- Canadian citizens travelling to the U.K. require an ETA.
- British and Irish citizens do not.
- Dual citizens are not eligible for an ETA because they are not considered foreign visitors.
The result is a potential documentation mismatch. A dual citizen attempting to travel on a Canadian passport may be flagged in airline systems as a British national, and without a British passport, boarding could be refused.
Why Some Travellers Are Caught Off Guard
Many dual citizens have historically travelled to the U.K. on their Canadian passports without issue. The stricter enforcement now tied to digital authorization checks is prompting confusion, particularly for those unaware they are considered British citizens under U.K. law.
Airlines are responsible for verifying documentation before departure, placing the burden on travellers to ensure compliance prior to arriving at the airport.
What Travellers Should Do
Dual citizens with upcoming U.K. travel should:
- Confirm their British passport is valid.
- Renew or apply immediately if it is expired.
- Refrain from applying for an ETA if they hold British or Irish citizenship, as they are ineligible.
Those unsure of their citizenship status, including individuals born in the U.K. to Canadian parents or born in Canada to British parents, should verify their status well in advance of travel.
Travel advisors may wish to proactively contact clients who could hold dual citizenship. Clarifying documentation requirements now could prevent costly last-minute disruptions at check-in.
