Lib Dems demand grace period as uk passport rules dual citizenship changes leave travellers stranded

Campaigners and MPs are urging an immediate grace period for British dual nationals after a change to entry requirements, coming into force on 25 February (ET), has left many facing the prospect of being unable to return to the UK unless they hold an up-to-date British passport or a certificate of entitlement.

What is changing and who is affected

The government is overhauling entry checks for travellers as part of a wider immigration reform. From 25 February, British citizens who also hold another nationality will no longer be able to travel to the UK on their foreign passport alone unless they also present a valid British passport or a digital certificate of entitlement attached to that foreign document.

Previously, many dual nationals from countries not requiring a UK visa routinely used their non-British passport to travel without issue. Neither a British passport nor a certificate of entitlement is automatically issued at naturalisation, and some people who became British years ago never applied for either document. Obtaining a new British passport typically costs around £100 for an adult; a certificate of entitlement is significantly more expensive, at about £589. The wider reform also includes the rollout of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for visa-free visitors, currently priced at £16 with plans to rise to £20, but dual nationals are not eligible to apply for an ETA and must meet the new documentation requirements instead.

The rules do not apply to Irish passport holders. The change affects a substantial number of people: recent census figures indicate hundreds of thousands of UK residents hold dual nationality alongside British citizenship, including both UK-born and non-UK-born populations.

Personal upheaval, political pressure and legal concerns

Critics say short notice and limited communication have created confusion for people abroad on holiday, working, or visiting family. One MP has described the rollout as the result of a lack of planning and haphazard communication that has left many dual nationals "completely in the lurch. " He urged ministers to introduce a temporary grace period while systems are clarified and affordable alternatives are provided.

A number of real-world examples underline the human cost. A newlywed couple honeymooning in New Zealand face cutting their trip short because the husband — a dual national without a British passport — risks being unable to board return travel after 25 February. Another traveller brought forward a flight from Canada to 23 February to ensure he could visit a terminally ill brother. Others have had to cancel plans for memorials, weddings, and trips to see sick relatives.

Immigration lawyers say border officials will likely try to act pragmatically in the immediate weeks after implementation to avoid major disruption at ports and airports. However, they stress that the costs and waiting times for documents could still leave many stranded for weeks or months. One practical complication is carrier liability: airlines and other transport operators face potential fines if they carry passengers who do not meet the new entry requirements, creating an incentive for firms to refuse travel at departure.

What officials and travellers need to do next

For now, dual nationals planning travel in the coming weeks are advised to check their documentation and, if possible, secure a British passport or certificate of entitlement before departure. For those already abroad, options are limited and can be costly and slow. Campaigners argue the state should offer a low-cost, short-term alternative or a temporary exemption while a more sustainable system is established.

The coming days will test how immigration authorities, transport operators and ministers handle the transition. Whether a formal grace period is granted remains a matter of political pressure and administrative decision-making. In the meantime, the immediate concern for many is practical and personal: getting home to attend funerals, see ill relatives or return to work without being blocked at the border.