The dual citizen, who lives in Brisbane, has been caught off guard by a small but significant change to the entry rules for travellers visiting England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
An ETA costs just £16 (approx. $A32) and can be used by visitors from 85 visa-exempt countries, including Australia, however dual citizens with Australian and British or Irish citizenship are exempt from needing one.
“I have an elderly parent still in the UK, so [I] do not want any barriers to quick travel,” Flint told nine.com.au.
“It doesn’t feel fair, and I’m not sure why it has been introduced – definitely another expense, and hassle. Why could an Australian citizen travel on the Australian passport, but a dual citizen couldn’t?”
Flint’s own British passport has expired, as he had been successfully travelling on his valid Australian passport.
Now, he needs to pay about $600 to renew his and his family’s British passports.
It costs about $189 to renew or replace each passport, plus postage fees.
It can also take about 10 weeks for them to arrive in Australia.
The process is so cumbersome that Flint has even considered rescinding his UK citizenship.
Fellow Queenslander Wendy Hilsum was born in the UK and has been using her Australian passport to travel for years too.
“I prefer to just have the one passport,” Hilsum said.
“I haven’t applied for many years. Australia’s passport is the most expensive in the world and it states on there that I am an English-born citizen.
“Not sure why they need that extra money from us.”
Hilsum also has elderly parents and doesn’t want to be refused travel when she or her sister tries to visit them back home.
“I don’t intend to live back in the UK, however my parents are in their 80s so I’d need to be able to travel with ease,” she added.
From February 25, Flint and other dual Australian-British citizens will need to produce a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement, or risk being denied boarding.
There was an initial grace period while the new ETA was being rolled out, where it was not strictly enforced to give travellers time to adjust.
Now, it will be officially enforced at the border.
“We strongly advise dual British citizens to make sure they have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement, to avoid problems like being denied boarding when travelling to the UK from 25 February 2026,” the UK Home Office states.
“From 25 February 2026, dual British citizens who cannot produce a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement will need to have additional identity checks and will not be able to go through UK passport control until their British nationality is verified.”
A certificate of entitlement proves a person has a right of abode in the UK.
You need to apply for a new certificate when your passport expires.
Do Australians need a UK ETA?
Australians who are not also British citizens will need to have an approved ETA before entering the UK.
The UK Home Office recommends applying for an ETA at least three business days before travelling.
It will ask for a fee and for you to provide contact and passport details and a valid photo
Travellers will be asked a set of suitability and criminality questions.
Most applicants currently receive an automatic decision within minutes when applying through the UK ETA app.
You cannot stay in the UK for longer than six months on an ETA and it expires after two years, or when the holder’s passport expires.
It also does not allow for paid or unpaid work.
British and Irish citizens do not need to apply for an ETA.
From February 25, visitors without an ETA will not be able to board their transport and cannot legally travel to the UK.
“ETAs give us greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and gives us a fuller picture of immigration,” said UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp.
“ETAs are also better for travellers. Digitising the immigration system ensures the millions of people we welcome to the UK every year enjoy a more seamless travel experience.”
