The United Kingdom may deny entry to children born overseas to British parents unless they carry the proper documentation, the Home Office announced on Wednesday.
Under the new rule, effective February 25, 2026, dual-national children cannot use the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) granted to most visitors.
Instead, they must either present a valid British passport or obtain a certificate of entitlement, which costs £589.
A Home Office spokesperson said the policy applies to all British citizens with dual nationality, including infants, even if travelling with a parent holding a British passport.
“Public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documentation has been available since October 2024, with a communications campaign about the ETA running since 2023,” the spokesperson added.
Officials explained that the measure is part of broader efforts to modernise the UK’s digital border systems and to differentiate dual nationals from illegal visa overstayers.
The certificate of entitlement will now be valid permanently, requiring only a single application.
The Home Office stressed that carrying a British passport remains the preferred option.
Failure to present the correct documents could result in denied boarding or refusal at the UK border, although Border Force officers retain discretion to allow entry.
