Some countries - notably the US - have strict rules on dual nationals, with US law stating that American dual nationals must use their US passport to enter and leave the country.
But at present British dual nationals can simply choose which passport to travel into and out of the country on.
A significant number of dual nationals don't have a current UK passport - which costs £108 to acquire from outside the UK. Many won't have renewed it after their previous one expired, whilst some may never have obtained one.
However it initially seemed that the introduction of the UK's ETA visa waiver was set to bring about a big change for British dual nationals.
A UK Home Office media factsheet sent to The Local on April 1st read:
"In the future, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border. We will make it clear when this change will be enforced."
A Certificate of Entitlement can be used to provide proof of "the right to abode in the UK". However it costs £550, takes an estimated three weeks to obtain and involves an in-person visit to a British visa centre, of which many countries have just one. In France, for example, it would require a trip to Paris.
The UK government website also states: "We cannot issue a certificate of entitlement in a non-British passport if the person holds a current British citizen passport" - which would seem to rule out this option for anyone who has a valid UK passport.
There was no date for the proposed change. The Home Office just said it would "make it clear" when it happens.
The instruction in the fact sheet poses a number of questions that The Local asked the Home Office to clarify on behalf on the tens of thousands of UK dual nationals in Europe.
It is not clear what it means by "to avoid delays at the border". This doesn't suggest dual nationals will be blocked from crossing, just "delayed".
But the use of the word "enforced" suggests there will be a change of law on what passports UK dual nationals are allowed to use when travelling into the UK.
Whilst we didn't receive any responses, the text of the fact sheet mysteriously changed on April 7th. It no longer talked of any "enforced change".
It read: "In the future, British dual citizens who do not possess a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement may encounter difficulties at the point of boarding or at the UK border. It is advised that passengers in this position begin to make the necessary arrangements now, to avoid such complications at a later date."
Again this poses more questions that it answers but does suggest the Home Office had not really thought through the ETA situation for the thousands of British dual nationals who don't have a valid British passport.
The fact sheet was sent to The Local after we sought clarification from the UK government on the situation for UK dual nationals after the ETA requirement was extended to European passport holders in April 2nd.
UK and Irish nationals do not need an ETA and the general advice for dual nationals who have a current, valid UK passport is to use it to travel into the UK.
But the situation remains confusing for those dual nationals without a valid UK passport, perhaps because it expired or they never had one. The Local and many dual national readers have contacted the UK government to ask for confirmation on whether they need an ETA if travelling on their "other "passport and how can they get one.
The Local has asked the Home Office to provide further clarity on these questions.
Are you a UK dual national and have had problems getting an ETA? Please share your experience in the comments section below.
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