Sopuruchi Onwuka, with agency reports

Nigerians and other nationals who also hold British citizenship will no longer be able to enter the United Kingdom using only their foreign passports, following new rules that took effect on February 25.

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Under the changes introduced by the Home Office, all British dual nationals must now present a valid British or Irish passport when boarding a flight to the UK. Those who do not have one may need to apply for a “Certificate of Entitlement,” which costs £589 and can take weeks to process.

Airlines may accept expired UK passports at their discretion, but there is no legal guarantee that travellers will be allowed to board.

The policy shift has caused significant confusion, particularly in Australia, home to around 1.2 million British expatriates. Many Australian-British dual nationals are scrambling to renew passports after discovering they cannot rely solely on their Australian documents.

Dean Long, chief executive of the Australian Travel Industry Association, said many Australians may not even realise they qualify as British citizens.

“If you have a parent born in the UK, there’s a high probability you’re automatically a citizen, and that’s where the confusion has really kicked off,” he told Yahoo News. He added that some travellers are only discovering the paperwork, costs and timeframes involved just days before departure.

In Australia, applying for a Certificate of Entitlement costs about 1,130 Australian dollars, while an adult British passport costs roughly 190 dollars. Alternatively, individuals can formally renounce British citizenship, a process that costs 968 dollars.

The new requirements were first published on the UK government website in November 2025 and reported by The Guardian.

Previously, British dual citizens who held a passport from a country eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) could enter the UK on that foreign passport without needing an ETA. ETAs, introduced last year, are digital travel permits costing between £10 and £16 and valid for multiple short visits over two years.

That flexibility has now ended. From February 25 onward, dual nationals must travel on a valid British or Irish passport when entering the UK, regardless of whether they also hold a valid foreign passport.

A limited concession applies to travellers with an expired UK passport issued in 1989 or later. They may be allowed to enter if they present it alongside a foreign passport from an ETA-eligible country, but the final decision rests with the airline.

The Home Office said personal details on both passports must match and noted that former UK passport holders can apply for an emergency travel document, though additional identity checks will apply.

The changes have drawn criticism from opposition politicians. Will Forster, the Liberal Democrats’ shadow immigration and asylum minister, described the rollout as poorly managed. He said many dual nationals are facing unexpected costs and delays, with some unable to visit sick relatives or attend family events.

He urged the government to introduce a grace period and provide a more affordable alternative to the current system.