New UK Passport Regulation Branded 'Scandalous' by Affected Travelers
A significant change to British passport regulations, effective from February 25, has ignited widespread criticism from UK tourists and expatriates living overseas. Under the previous system, individuals holding dual nationality were permitted to enter the United Kingdom using their foreign passport. This option will no longer be available starting next week.
Stricter Documentation Requirements Implemented
From February 25 onward, British dual nationals must present either a valid British passport or a new digital version of the certificate of entitlement attached to their secondary nationality passport when traveling to the UK. Failure to provide one of these approved documents could result in denial of entry back into the country.
Neither British passports nor certificates of entitlement are automatically issued to people who obtain citizenship through naturalization or other means. Consequently, many dual nationals have never applied for these documents, even if they have resided in the UK for multiple decades.
Angry Reactions from British Expats Worldwide
The policy shift has provoked strong emotional responses from affected individuals across the globe. A 78-year-old British expat currently living in Australia expressed frustration, stating, "I'm 78 and all this nonsense for one last trip home is ridiculous. I am disgusted. They have not thought the process through for everyone impacted."
Another individual told the Guardian newspaper, "I am not paying £1,178 to the UK government for us to visit family. So there is only one solution: renounce our British citizenship. Is this really what the government wants?"
A woman in her 70s residing in Germany shared her disappointment, explaining, "I was planning, at the ripe old age of 79, to travel to London for probably the last time. The government has now decided that I should pay £589 for the privilege." She added, "I feel I have been shut out of my own country. This is insulting, scandalous and unacceptable."
Practical Consequences and Emotional Impact
The financial burden and bureaucratic hurdles are creating real practical problems for dual nationals. One person speaking to BBC Voice revealed, "As it stands, after South America, I won't be able to return to my flat in Glasgow, which me and my husband own, in the country I have lived in for nearly 16 years."
She continued, "If I hadn't applied for citizenship and just had an EU passport, I would be in a better situation than I am now. The irony is that I've chosen to be part of this country but it feels like I'm being deported. It feels like a betrayal."
Many affected individuals emphasize that they have contributed significantly to British society through taxes, education, and long-term residence. The new requirement is perceived as particularly harsh toward elderly expats wishing to make final visits to their homeland.
The government has not yet responded to the mounting criticism, but the rule change is set to take effect as scheduled, leaving dual nationals scrambling to obtain proper documentation or reconsider their travel plans entirely.
