Citizens of Australia and the United Kingdom face a deadline on 25 February 2026. The Home Office will enforce the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme on this date. This policy requires visitors from 85 countries to obtain digital permission before travel.
Dual nationals cannot apply for this authorisation. Current rules state that British citizens do not qualify for the scheme. These individuals must present a passport from the United Kingdom or Ireland. Alternatively, they may use a Certificate of Entitlement in an Australian passport.
Cost Barriers Drive Citizenship Decisions
The cost of compliance influences the choices of many residents. An Electronic Travel Authorisation costs 16 pounds or approximately 32 Australian dollars. This permit remains valid for two years. It allows multiple entries for stays of six months.
- A passport for the United Kingdom costs 280 Australian dollars.
- A Certificate of Entitlement costs 1,180 Australian dollars.
- The Electronic Travel Authorisation costs 32 Australian dollars.
Renouncing citizenship costs 450 pounds or 870 Australian dollars. Some individuals view this as a financial strategy. They prefer the lower price of the travel authorisation. This choice removes the need for expensive passport renewals.
Cost barriers affecting citizenship decisions
Impact on Travel and Logistics
The Home Office issued a statement regarding the transition. “Dual British citizens must have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK,” the announcement confirms. This requirement prevents boarding for those without these documents.
Airlines will check for digital permissions at the gate. Passengers without the correct papers will face denial of carriage. This rule applies to all transit through the border. Carriers must follow the guidance to avoid penalties from authorities.
 Impact on Travel and Logistics
Public Response to the Policy
Many travellers express frustration with the timeframe. Processing times for passports from the United Kingdom take 13 weeks. Applicants must also provide birth certificates and original documents.
“I thought you were always supposed to fly on the passport of the country you’re in,” one traveller noted.
“So I have the choice of forking out £589 for a ‘Certificate of Entitlement’ or purchasing a new British passport for £108, or relinquish my UK citizenship (£450) and pay only £16 for an ETA,” another stated.
Modernisation of Border Control
The government describes the move as a step toward a digital border. The system tracks biographic and biometric details of visitors. This increase in data collection aims to improve security at entry points.
Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show 635,000 Australians visited the United Kingdom last year. This group includes many individuals with dual status. The change affects a significant portion of the travelling public.
- The policy starts on 25 February 2026.
- It covers 85 nationalities.
- British citizens remain exempt from the travel permit.
Also Read: Nationwide Building Society Launches Real-Time Verification Tool to Combat Impersonation Fraud
Advice for Affected Travellers
The Home Office advises against booking flights before securing documentation. Passport numbers change upon renewal. Travellers must ensure their paperwork matches their booking.
The transition period ends in late February. Travellers should begin the application process immediately. Delays in mail and processing could disrupt travel plans for the year.
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