An Australian academic who has moved between Australia and Britain for decades says a new UK border rule has put her next trip in doubt after she found out she may not be allowed to board her flight without a British passport.
Gabrielle Mordy, who lives in Australia and has UK citizenship because she was born there, accepted an invitation to a conference in Britain in January and planned to travel on her Australian passport as she has for years.
She later found out the UK will soon require people who hold British citizenship as well as another citizenship to enter using a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement linked to their non British passport.
From 25 February 2026, the UK will enforce its electronic travel authorisation system for most visa free visitors with airlines and other carriers checking travellers before departure.
The Home Office says people from dozens of countries who do not need a visa will need an ETA which costs £16 or another form of digital permission to travel.
British and Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA including dual citizens but that exemption can create a problem for dual nationals who have been travelling on their Australian passport because they cannot get an ETA.
Smartraveller says Australians who are also UK citizens will need a valid British or Irish passport or a certificate of entitlement attached to their Australian passport, to board a flight on or after 25 February.
Mordy said she last renewed her British passport in 2001 and now has to submit a full application including getting a long form birth certificate.
She said the other option, using a certificate, could mean handing over her Australian passport for weeks that could leave her having to cancel flights if the paperwork does not arrive in time.
