The new requirement, which comes into effect on 25 February, means dual citizens will need an in-date British or Irish passport in order to visit the UK. Those who already have flights booked may find themselves in a bind, with wait times for a British passport between six and 13 weeks.
Dual citizens are unable to fast track the process unless they are already within the UK, however they may be able to obtain an emergency travel document if they meet certain criteria, including having had a valid UK passport that was issued on or after 01 January 2006 – click here for more details.
Alternatively, travellers can continue to use their Australian passport if they acquire a certificate of entitlement, which will set them back £589 (A$1,180) and must be renewed each time their passport expires. This is the most timely option, with a shorter processing period of around three weeks.
According to a report on 9News, some Australian-British citizens are so unhappy with the new entry rule that they have chosen to renounce their citizenship. This in itself is an expensive and lengthy ordeal, to the tune of around £482 (around $966) and six months’ processing time.
As for the cost of the passports themselves, adult Australian residents can expect to pay around £120, plus a £19 courier fee, for a British application – amounting to about $280 – while the cost of an Irish passport is £75 with a £15 postal fee, totalling approximately $156. When you consider an Australian passport is $422, the costs really begin to add up.
“We strongly advise dual British citizens to make sure they have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement, to avoid problems like being denied boarding when travelling to the UK from 25 February 2026,” the UK Home Office stated.
“Dual British citizens who cannot produce a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement will need to have additional identity checks and will not be able to go through UK passport control until their British nationality is verified.”
