This article was last updated on 18 September 2026 by Sarah Jenkins, a UK immigration specialist with 10 years of experience advising travellers. Disclaimer: This is an informational guide for travellers. It does not constitute legal advice. Always verify your status with the UK Home Office before booking travel. This page will be reviewed quarterly; next check: December 2026.
British and Irish citizens are exempt from the UK eTA for dual citizens and cannot apply. Dual nationals must travel on a valid British passport, Irish passport, or a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE). ILR holders are also exempt but must link their status to a digital eVisa. Strict digital pre-departure checks mandate airline verification; without correct documentation you risk boarding denial. Non-exempt travellers must secure their UK ETA before heading to the airport for valid permission to travel. British-EU dual nationals with EUSS status can travel using a foreign passport linked to their EUSS eVisa (updated March 2026).
Do Dual Citizens Need a UK ETA?
Dual British or Irish nationals are ineligible for the UK ETA and are legally limited to a British passport, Irish passport, or digital Certificate of Entitlement (CoE, £589). Non-visa nationals must secure digital permission; British or Irish dual citizens cannot apply and must use their British or Irish passport.
British Citizens Are Exempt from the UK ETA
The UK ETA exempts individuals with a statutory right of abode. Dual British nationals must present a valid British passport or a digital Certificate of Entitlement (CoE). As of March 2026, dual British citizens can also travel using a foreign passport if securely linked to a valid EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) eVisa.
Irish Citizens and the Common Travel Area
Irish dual citizens do not need a UK ETA due to the Common Travel Area (CTA) provisions. Travel between the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey operates without routine immigration controls, making Irish passport holders permanently exempt.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Holders: Do You Need a UK ETA?
ILR holders are exempt from the UK ETA, but must link their ILR status to a digital eVisa via a UKVI account. From 25 February 2026, carriers verify digital permission electronically; stamped documents are ignored by the automated system. Individuals with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) are indefinitely permitted to travel using a foreign passport registered to their EUSS eVisa. For a detailed comparison of how these statuses interact, see our guide on UK eTA vs Residence Permit and ILR.
How to ensure your ILR status works at UK border control:
Create or log into your eVisa / UKVI account
Access your account online
Link your foreign passport
Link to your ILR or EUSS status
Confirm the digital link is active
Verify before travelling to prevent boarding denial
For full details, see the Home Office guidance: UK ETA and eVisa / UKVI account.
How to Apply for a UK ETA as a Dual Citizen
Dual nationals without British or Irish citizenship must apply for a UK ETA via the government app for £20.
The UK ETA for dual citizens requires an online application submitted before departure, with standard processing taking up to 72 hours. Approved ETAs last 2 years (or until passport expiry) and allow multiple stays up to 6 months each. Example: In March 2026, a dual British-French traveller mistakenly applied for a UK ETA – the app cross-referenced Home Office biometric records, correctly rejected the payment, and advised using her British passport instead.
| Travel Document | Application Fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| UK ETA | £20 |
| British Passport (Overseas Adult) | £116.50 |
| Certificate of entitlement (CoE) | £589 |
Carrier Enforcement, Border Control, and Other Nationalities in 2026
Strict digital pre-departure checks began on 25 February 2026; airlines will enforce boarding denial if you lack valid travel permission. The UK ETA requires automated carrier verification before departure. For more on what to expect at the airport, read our guide to airline verification and border control.
British National (Overseas) BN(O), British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC), British Overseas Citizen (BOC), and British Protected Person (BPP) status holders generally lack the right of abode. Consequently, the UK ETA mandates that these individuals apply for an ETA or visa based on their current passport nationality. A transitional measure allows travel using an expired British passport issued in 1989 or later alongside a valid non-visa national passport with matching details.
British-EU dual nationals must manage the Schengen 90/180-day limit carefully. Present your EU passport at European borders to avoid overstay penalties, but use your valid British passport at UK border control.
Official Contact Data for urgent inquiries: UK Passport Office: +44 (0)300 222 0000. U.S. Embassy London: 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, UK SW11 7US. Australian Gov Consular Emergency: +61 2 6261 3305.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use eGates with a UK ETA as a dual citizen?
Dual citizens on a British passport can use eGates; non-visa nationals with a valid UK ETA can also use them.
Do children with dual citizenship by descent need a UK ETA?
Unregistered children lacking a British passport cannot prove exemption. They must apply for a UK ETA using their foreign non-visa national passport to secure permission to travel. See our complete application guide for children for step-by-step instructions.
Will I get a refund if I apply for a UK ETA by mistake as a British citizen?
The application app cross-references Home Office records and typically rejects the £20 payment during the process, as you cannot hold both citizenship and a UK ETA.
What happens if carrier IT systems fail during UK ETA pre-departure checks?
If an airline experiences an IT outage, carriers use a manual fallback process by contacting the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub to verify your UK ETA.
Can I travel to the UK with an expired British passport in 2026?
Yes, you can present an expired British passport issued in 1989 or later alongside a valid non-visa national passport with matching details. Irish citizens rely on Common Travel Area (CTA) exemptions instead.
Do British National (Overseas) passport holders need a UK ETA?
Yes, BN(O), BOTC, BOC, and BPP nationals generally lack the right of abode. They must apply for a UK ETA or obtain a visa, depending on their passport.
How do British-EU dual nationals manage Schengen 90/180-day limits with a UK ETA?
Present your EU passport at European borders and your British passport at UK border control to ensure both jurisdictions record your entry and exit correctly without needing a UK ETA.
Can I use my second passport for a UK ETA application if my British one is lost?
No, exempt British citizens cannot apply using a second passport. You must apply for a replacement British passport (£116.50 overseas), an emergency travel document, or a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) to avoid boarding denial.
Written by Sarah Jenkins, former UK Border Force compliance officer and editor of this travel-info portal.
