Entering the UK- or going to happen now

Just been talking to my Dd who is a joint citizen of UK and OZ. Apparently Australia has had this rule for a long time. When she travels to OZ: Out on UK passport, into OZ on Australian passport and the reverse on the way.

She says the UK is just catching up. BTW, if you are a citizen of UK you can only enter with your UK passport and vice versa! You are not allowed to use ETAs but I don’t know why not.

So are your grandchildren claiming dual nationality nanna?

My ds had to renew her passport for a visit to uk in a couple of months. She had the photo taken but it was really difficult to find someone of standing in the uk who knew her, no relative could do the signing not in-law nor outlaw. She was turned down twice but third time lucky as a `friend` from long ago did it. This was enabled because that friend had been in Australia last year and had paid her a visit. She now has her passport and has retained dual nationality

She is now all set for her visit

Uk is late doing this we are playing catch up with the rest of the world it’s not a money making scheme at all *Nana8 its to bring us in line with everywhere else electronically
There seems a lot of confusion around the price so this is what I pulled up on both Google and ChatGPT and this was what I was using as the price guide

The UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme requires most visa-exempt visitors (non-visa nationals) to get digital permission to travel to the UK, with full enforcement starting February 25, 2026, meaning you could be refused boarding without one. The ETA costs £16 and lasts two years, allowing multiple short stays (up to 6 months), and requires a passport, photo, email, and fee payment via the GOV.UK website or app. It's a digital pass for entry, linked to your passport, for tourism or transit, and covers all travel routes

So where does it say it costs lots of money to get an ETA ??

OK. I think I u understand now.

It's explained clearly here on the Home Office website

commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10344/

Being born in the UK doesn't automatically make you British, unlike in the US. (My little grandson was born there of German parents and is lumbered with US citizenship now).

This is from the gov.uk website:

You may be eligible to apply to ‘register’ as a British citizen if you were born in the UK. It depends on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances.

Therefore: if you were born in Britain this does not automatically mean you are British.

For anyone born after 1983 this definitely applies, for those born beforehand other conditions apply.

That is what I wondered with my granddaughters who were born here in Australia. With anyone born in the uk it says so on our current passports but not for them. My daughter assures me that ‘they know ‘, she checked. So they are reluctantly forking out if they are not too pissed off with the powers that be. Seems ridiculous as their Dad is Aussie from way back when, no ties with uk .

Look back to nanna8's last post. She gives an explanation.

And my question still stands - how do they (the busy customs officers at border control) even know you have British nationality?

I wonder if this is the same for folk who have emigrated to Canada or the USA?

No, even for a couple of days you have to pay for a British passport if you were born there. The bloke going to his mum’s funeral has to pay $800 because he can’t wait the normal months for a passport. It is around $230 for us otherwise. They know if you were born in the uk because it says so on your passport and they bar entry. Whether or not you want to be a dual citizen ( which he doesn’t and neither do I or my grandchildren) Money grabbing government.

Lathyrus3

I looked it up and it seems simple to me.

If you claim Australian nationality only you can enter with an ETA (£16).

If you claim dual nationality Australian/British you need a British passport to enter.

Just like someone who only had British nationality would. When I come back from Australia I need a British passport to get back in🙄

So does this only apply to Australian/British dual nationals?

What I mean is when I visit Australia, not that I live there.

Thanks Lathyrus. It's only if you want to claim dual nationality.
Well, that's up to individual. If you have no wish to return to the 'motherland' to stay, then simply visit.
If you wish to retain the right to be a citizen, then there is a charge.
There are so many Threads on GN about immigration. There is a lot of anger around the issue.
And now there is annoyance that rules are tightening?

I looked it up and it seems simple to me.

If you claim Australian nationality only you can enter with an ETA (£16).

If you claim dual nationality Australian/British you need a British passport to enter.

Just like someone who only had British nationality would. When I come back from Australia I need a British passport to get back in🙄

Maremia

If the person simply wishes to visit the UK, why not get a tourist visa?
Which detail am I missing?

I also find it confusing. It seems to be the British or Irish citizens living in Australia have to buy a certificate of entitlement to enter the UK or presumably Ireland whereas non British/Irish citizens can get a visa or ETA.
Not sure if that is right though it sounds weird.

If the person simply wishes to visit the UK, why not get a tourist visa?
Which detail am I missing?

A British Passport carries residency rights quite rightly they are not issued lightly to someone who has been a foreign citizen for many years

I was born in the UK and have a British Passport. If I left and went abroad and my passport expired, I’d have to renew it before I re entered the UK.
I can’t see what the problem is!

Is it 'money grabbing' or is it a preventative measure to curb illegal immigration and increase security against terrorism?

If you are not a British/Irish citizen you do not use a Certificate of Entitlement which is £589 but that gives you*right of abode* ie unlimited stay; instead, you will need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) or a visa to enter the UK.

The new ruling comes in later this month.

Oreo

Things are changing David49

Correction ETA is £16
AI result was wrong cant trust anything these days

That sounds more like it David49. We have to purchase an ETA when visiting the US which is not a lot of money. Hope this puts people’s minds at rest.

Things are changing David49