The UK just made travel tougher for US visitors, and dual nationals are scrambling

The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation system took effect on Wednesday, adding a new requirement for visitors from dozens of countries, including the US and Australia. The change is prompting confusion for some travelers, particularly dual nationals who are trying to sort out which documents they need.

As outlined by the BBC, most people who previously entered the UK visa-free now need an ETA to travel. The digital permission is valid for two years, or until the passport used in the application expires, and allows multiple visits of up to six months for tourism, business, or short-term study.

Even travelers transiting through the UK may need an ETA unless they remain airside and do not pass through border control. British and Irish citizens are exempt, and people who require visas for longer stays, work, or extended study still need those visas rather than an ETA.

It adds a new checkpoint before check-in

An ETA functions as digital permission to travel to the UK and is linked to the applicant’s passport. The BBC reported it applies to citizens from 85 countries who previously did not need a visa for short stays.

Applicants are encouraged to use the official app, provide contact and passport details, upload a photo, and answer a series of questions. The fee is £16, and the government has said it may rise to £20 in the future, as PS6 delay rumor continues circulating in separate tech reporting.

Most applicants are expected to receive a decision automatically in minutes when using the app, but the guidance recommends applying at least three working days before travel. If an application is rejected, an applicant can submit a new one, but a refusal cannot be appealed and requires applying for a visa instead.

Carriers will verify travel permission through automated digital checks at check-in, including airlines, rail companies, and shipping companies. An ETA does not guarantee entry, and travelers still go through passport control on arrival.

The rules are causing particular issues for dual nationals. People with UK citizenship and another nationality cannot obtain an ETA and must instead enter the UK using a British passport or a digital version of a certificate of entitlement tied to their non-UK passport.

Neither a British passport nor a certificate of entitlement is automatically issued when someone becomes a citizen, and some dual nationals have never needed either to return to the UK. Both documents can take weeks to obtain and carry significant costs, with a British passport about £100 for an adult and a certificate of entitlement costing £589, as WoW Pinterest ban feature drew attention to other automated enforcement headaches online.

The government says the ETA system is intended to make the immigration process more secure, faster, and more efficient. The scheme began in October 2023 and was not strictly enforced at first, but the government later said ETAs would be mandatory from February 25 and that guidance for dual nationals has been available since October 2024.