Immigration Corner |Entering the UK as a British dual citizen

Dear Mr. Bassie,

I hear that there are different rules for those of us who are British and who have dual citizenship, travelling to the United Kingdom. I would like to know what the current situation is concerning this.

– N.N.

Dear N.N.,

There are specific regulations with respect to what dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship, or right of abode, need to do to when travelling to the United Kingdom (UK). It should be noted that an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) gives permission to travel to the UK to visit for up to six months. Persons should also be aware that they cannot get an ETA if they are dual citizens with either British citizenship or Irish citizenship.

With respect to having citizenship, persons should check if they have British citizenship. Persons may automatically have British citizenship if they were either born in the UK or have a parent with British citizenship.

HOW TO PROVE PERMISSION TO TRAVEL TO THE UK AS A DUAL CITIZEN

Persons are able to prove their permission to travel to the UK by using one of the following

• a valid UK passport

• a valid Irish passport

• another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement

Anyone who does not have a valid document may not be able to board their transport to the UK without it. Those persons should apply for a passport or a certificate of entitlement immediately as it will avoid complications when travelling to the UK.

It should further be noted that in line with temporary guidance, carriers (such as airlines and ferry companies) may allow persons to travel if they have both an expired UK passport, issued in 1989 or later and a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an ETA. Please note that the personal details on both passports must match and it is the carrier’s decision whether to allow you to travel.

Just for completeness, persons should be aware that those persons who previously had a UK passport, may apply for an emergency travel document. They will need to have additional identity checks to verify citizenship before they can go through UK passport control.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com