View Full Version : If you dont have a British or Irish passport
Cherie
17-02-2026, 08:16 PM
after 25th February you will need a certificate of entitlement alongside your passport to enter the UK, it costs a whopping 600 quid...
There are all sorts of exemptions and confusions so don't be caught out
https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode/apply-for-a-certificate-of-entitlement?ref=ed_direct
Benjamin
17-02-2026, 08:22 PM
after 25th February you will need a certificate of entitlement alongside your passport to enter the UK, it costs a whopping 600 quid...
There are all sorts of exemptions and confusions so don't be caught out
https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode/apply-for-a-certificate-of-entitlement?ref=ed_direct
My friends back in NZ just had to spend loads on getting UK passports for them and their kids due to this (they are brits but the kids were born in NZ and they all had NZ passports only).
Cherie
17-02-2026, 08:45 PM
My friends back in NZ just had to spend loads on getting UK passports for them and their kids due to this (they are brits but the kids were born in NZ and they all had NZ passports only).
There were alot of confused people with EU passports on a phone in on LBC tonight, its not been very well advertised
Vanessa
17-02-2026, 11:25 PM
I have settled status granted by the Home Office. I can live, work and enter the UK.
Cherie
18-02-2026, 07:59 AM
I have settled status granted by the Home Office. I can live, work and enter the UK.
If you dont have a British passport and come and go on an an Italian passport you need to check what you need as your Italian passport may not be enough now, the new system applies to EU nationals
I like that there is specific guidance on how to apply from North Korea
Cherie
18-02-2026, 08:14 AM
I like that there is specific guidance on how to apply from North Korea
:laugh:
Might be wrong but it seems this is only about demonstrating right of abode and is only really applicable for Commonwealth citizens?
Vanessa
18-02-2026, 08:43 AM
If you dont have a British passport and come and go on an an Italian passport you need to check what you need as your Italian passport may not be enough now, the new system applies to EU nationals
I'm not a tourist, I have right to live, come and go as well.
Indefinite leave to remain given by the home office.
Vanessa
18-02-2026, 08:44 AM
Might be wrong but it seems this is only about demonstrating right of abode and is only really applicable for Commonwealth citizens?
Yea you need to be able to prove your right. I can do that by going on the governor website and getting a code, it links to my passport.
Cherie
18-02-2026, 09:02 AM
Might be wrong but it seems this is only about demonstrating right of abode and is only really applicable for Commonwealth citizens?
There were alot of EU citizens calling into LBC last night Portuguese and Italian nationals who were affected and needed to do something to link their passports
Cherie
18-02-2026, 09:04 AM
I'm not a tourist, I have right to live, come and go as well.
Indefinite leave to remain given by the home office.
sounds like you are covered, but many people are not aware they have to link their passports after the 25th Feb
Cherie
18-02-2026, 09:05 AM
I'm not a tourist, I have right to live, come and go as well.
Indefinite leave to remain given by the home office.
I never said you were a tourist Vanessa, it affects people with dual nationality who live in the UK and who have previously used their non British passport at border control
Just listening to a lady living in Norway who is having issues travelling here with her children
Vanessa
18-02-2026, 09:14 AM
I never said you were a tourist Vanessa, it affects people with dual nationality who live in the UK and who have previously used their non British passport at border control
Just listening to a lady living in Norway who is having issues travelling here with her children
I have settled status.
Benjamin
18-02-2026, 09:24 AM
Might be wrong but it seems this is only about demonstrating right of abode and is only really applicable for Commonwealth citizens?
Also affects British citizens with dual nationality (commonwealth or not) who live abroad and only have the other nationality’s passports (like my friends in NZ). They either need to get a British passport or the certificate (some countries won’t allow dual citizenship/passports, so some Brits will need to get the certificate).
It's going to do wonders for the UK tourism industry :laugh:
Vanessa
18-02-2026, 09:57 AM
I've read that link and it mentions settled status. If you have it you don't need the certificate.
Mystic Mock
18-02-2026, 10:26 AM
I've read that link and it mentions settled status. If you have it you don't need the certificate.
Well that's great news for you Vanessa.:dance:
Benjamin
18-02-2026, 10:54 AM
It's going to do wonders for the UK tourism industry :laugh:
It doesn’t affect tourists.
Livia
18-02-2026, 10:59 AM
Is this is a ham-fisted attempt to stop people who have fraudulently claimed asylum here, going home for holidays.
Cherie
18-02-2026, 11:15 AM
It doesn’t affect tourists.
I thought they said you needed an Esta style document now to enter the UK, like everything else its mired in confusion
Vanessa
18-02-2026, 11:17 AM
I thought they said you needed an Esta style document now to enter the UK, like everything else its mired in confusion
Yes, but that's only 16 pounds and it lasts 2 years.
arista
18-02-2026, 12:00 PM
after 25th February you will need a certificate of entitlement alongside your passport to enter the UK, it costs a whopping 600 quid...
There are all sorts of exemptions and confusions so don't be caught out
https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode/apply-for-a-certificate-of-entitlement?ref=ed_direct
Yes £600
is a wicked amount
arista
18-02-2026, 12:12 PM
I have settled status.
Fantastic Vanessa
Benjamin
18-02-2026, 01:21 PM
I thought they said you needed an Esta style document now to enter the UK, like everything else its mired in confusion
That’s different from the certificate. And also not as complicated.
Certain countries (like USA, NZ, Australia, EU countries) just need an ESTA to visit (same as we need to visit them). Everyone else needs a standard visa.
The exception being if you are a dual citizen with the UK visiting the UK. You either need a valid British passport or the certificate.
Like my friends in NZ. They are British but hold dual nationality with NZ and travel on NZ passports. But they now can’t come here on their NZ passports with an ESTA, as they’re British. They either need a British passport or a certificate. Basically, it’s a way for the UK to make more money on those who chose to live away from the UK.
Vanessa
18-02-2026, 02:00 PM
That’s different from the certificate. And also not as complicated.
Certain countries (like USA, NZ, Australia, EU countries) just need an ESTA to visit (same as we need to visit them). Everyone else needs a standard visa.
The exception being if you are a dual citizen with the UK visiting the UK. You either need a valid British passport or the certificate.
Like my friends in NZ. They are British but hold dual nationality with NZ and travel on NZ passports. But they now can’t come here on their NZ passports with an ESTA, as they’re British. They either need a British passport or a certificate. Basically, it’s a way for the UK to make more money on those who chose to live away from the UK.
They can get a British passport for getting in the UK,
Benjamin
18-02-2026, 02:04 PM
They can get a British passport for getting in the UK,
I know. I said that. :tongue:
GoldHeart
18-02-2026, 02:49 PM
My friends back in NZ just had to spend loads on getting UK passports for them and their kids due to this (they are brits but the kids were born in NZ and they all had NZ passports only).
Isn't there the duel citizenship people can have? , didn't crab eyes from BB 11 UK have that
( John James ) ....he was Australian ,but had British citizenship due to his parents I think.
Benjamin
18-02-2026, 03:06 PM
Isn't there the duel citizenship people can have? , didn't crab eyes from BB 11 UK have that
( John James ) ....he was Australian ,but had British citizenship due to his parents I think.
Yeah, but with the new changes, they must now have a British passport or the certificate when visiting here.
Beforehand they could come over on the other country’s passport (without the need for a British one).
An example here is;
* An Australian citizen living in Australia (no dual UK nationality) visiting the UK with an Australian passport needs an ESTA (same thing we need to visit there) - it’s an electronic visa which is around £16.
* An Australian with dual UK citizenship (but no British passport) was able to travel on an Australian passport with an ESTA. Now they’ll need to either get a British passport or get the certificate (the passport is cheaper) to enter the UK.
* It’s gets messier if a UK national say gave up their citizenship for another country (like in China where dual citizenship is not allowed). I believe then this wouldn’t apply to them and they’d need a normal visa (as they won’t have or be able to get a British passport unless they give up citizenship of China).
The main confusion regarding the certificate is who would actually need it (as none of the above would - I could be wrong with the China example case though, and they’d may be the ones who would need it, if dual citizenship is not allowed, meaning they can’t get a British passport).
It’s cheaper for British nationals who live outside of the UK to get a British passport. But this whole thing is to make more money from dual citizens, as it’s them who it affects.
GoldHeart
18-02-2026, 04:40 PM
Yeah, but with the new changes, they must now have a British passport or the certificate when visiting here.
Beforehand they could come over on the other country’s passport (without the need for a British one).
An example here is;
* An Australian citizen living in Australia (no dual UK nationality) visiting the UK with an Australian passport needs an ESTA (same thing we need to visit there) - it’s an electronic visa which is around £16.
* An Australian with dual UK citizenship (but no British passport) was able to travel on an Australian passport with an ESTA. Now they’ll need to either get a British passport or get the certificate (the passport is cheaper) to enter the UK.
* It’s gets messier if a UK national say gave up their citizenship for another country (like in China where dual citizenship is not allowed). I believe then this wouldn’t apply to them and they’d need a normal visa (as they won’t have or be able to get a British passport unless they give up citizenship of China).
The main confusion regarding the certificate is who would actually need it (as none of the above would - I could be wrong with the China example case though, and they’d may be the ones who would need it, if dual citizenship is not allowed, meaning they can’t get a British passport).
It’s cheaper for British nationals who live outside of the UK to get a British passport. But this whole thing is to make more money from dual citizens, as it’s them who it affects.
Oh I see ...yeah it sounds confusing and messy now .
China has always been more strict regarding their government and regulations I think.
Cherie
18-02-2026, 05:27 PM
That’s different from the certificate. And also not as complicated.
Certain countries (like USA, NZ, Australia, EU countries) just need an ESTA to visit (same as we need to visit them). Everyone else needs a standard visa.
The exception being if you are a dual citizen with the UK visiting the UK. You either need a valid British passport or the certificate.
Like my friends in NZ. They are British but hold dual nationality with NZ and travel on NZ passports. But they now can’t come here on their NZ passports with an ESTA, as they’re British. They either need a British passport or a certificate. Basically, it’s a way for the UK to make more money on those who chose to live away from the UK.
What a surprise the contempt they hold for their own is very evident, 600 pounds is just robbery
Benjamin
19-02-2026, 11:13 AM
Looks like the government has now confirmed UK dual nationals won’t need to get a British passport but can instead get the digital certificate, which won’t have an expiry and will be transferred over when they get a new passport.
My friends are raging, as they just got British passports for them and the kids when they could have done the certificate. Now they’ll have to spend more money to either get new British passports in ten years or to get the certificate.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360940813/uk-concedes-dual-citizens-will-only-pay-once-proof-citizenship
Livia
19-02-2026, 11:20 AM
Funny how we can make it so hard and expensive to come here for some while others don't even need an ID.
Cherie
19-02-2026, 12:01 PM
Looks like the government has now confirmed UK dual nationals won’t need to get a British passport but can instead get the digital certificate, which won’t have an expiry and will be transferred over when they get a new passport.
My friends are raging, as they just got British passports for them and the kids when they could have done the certificate. Now they’ll have to spend more money to either get new British passports in ten years or to get the certificate.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360940813/uk-concedes-dual-citizens-will-only-pay-once-proof-citizenship
Isn't the certificate 5 times more expensive than a passport
Cherie
19-02-2026, 12:04 PM
Funny how we can make it so hard and expensive to come here for some while others don't even need an ID.
I have made this point often, we stand in our lines queuing to be allowed back in, checked over by border force who sometimes ask you where you have been and where you are going.... while people who come in with no paperwork are given everything, you couldn't make this stuff up honestly :laugh:
Benjamin
19-02-2026, 12:15 PM
Isn't the certificate 5 times more expensive than a passport
Yeah, but it lasts forever, so in the long run would be cheaper (as they live in NZ so also have to pay ridiculous amounts on secure delivery for the 5 passports they need each time).
Livia
19-02-2026, 12:21 PM
I have made this point often, we stand in our lines queuing to be allowed back in, checked over by border force who sometimes ask you where you have been and where you are going.... while people who come in with no paperwork are given everything, you couldn't make this stuff up honestly :laugh:
When I go to Israel or we go anywhere else as a family we usually fly from Norwich to Amsterdam, then on from there. The parking is easy and it's so much simpler than going to one of the big airports. But the Border Force there... honestly I have to bite my lip every time. They look you up and down and they're always very interested in my OH, wanting to know if he's been on business, asking about his permission to work here... I want to scream "You people are wasted here, you should be on the south coast where your SS style attitude would be put to better use!".
Cherie
19-02-2026, 12:22 PM
Yeah, but it lasts forever, so in the long run would be cheaper (as they live in NZ so also have to pay ridiculous amounts on secure delivery for the 5 passports they need each time).
for a family of 5 they will have to shell out nearly 3 grand initially, crazy money, what is wrong with the government that they can seem to do anything right
Cherie
19-02-2026, 12:24 PM
When I go to Israel or we go anywhere else as a family we usually fly from Norwich to Amsterdam, then on from there. The parking is easy and it's so much simpler than going to one of the big airports. But the Border Force there... honestly I have to bite my lip every time. They look you up and down and they're always very interested in my OH, wanting to know if he's been on business, asking about his permission to work here... I want to scream "You people are wasted here, you should be on the south coast where your SS style attitude would be put to better use!".
We tend to use Norwich as well, its just so handy, some of them really like to wield power for sure
Isn't it true that if the dual citizens give up their british passport they get the cheaper entry?
There are a lot of ex pats of a certain age that come back to the uk to get free treatment on the NHS. My bet is that this move is to discourage that
Benjamin
19-02-2026, 01:08 PM
Isn't it true that if the dual citizens give up their british passport they get the cheaper entry?
There are a lot of ex pats of a certain age that come back to the uk to get free treatment on the NHS. My bet is that this move is to discourage that
You can’t just give up your passport to rescind dual nationality. The only way (I believe) to give up your British nationality is if the other country doesn’t allow dual nationality (like China or Japan). You have to apply to the home office and pay to do so.
Expats can only get full NHS entitlement if they are able to prove they live in the UK again. There’s many a way around that (and likely always will be). But this isn’t to stop that.
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