With the increasing changes in the political economy across the world, traveling can be quite challenging. If you’re a British national with a dual citizenship, and wish to travel back to your home country, you need to know about UK border control. British citizens with non-British passport travelling to UK should have valid documents. Let’s take a deeper look.
Understanding British Citizenship and Travel Rights
There are six different types of British Nationalities. We need to first identify the type of British national you are before we check the travel documents, UK visa requirements, and foreign passport for UK entry.
British Citizenship
A person’s eligibility for British citizenship depends on the date and place of birth, as well as the immigration or citizenship status of their parents.
Citizenship by Birth – in the UK
A person born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 is a British citizen only if at least one parent was: A British citizen, or settled in the UK (e.g., holding Indefinite Leave to Remain or Permanent Residence) at the time of the birth.
Citizenship by Descent – Born Outside the UK
A person born outside the UK may automatically be a British citizen if one of their parents was a British citizen otherwise than by descent (e.g., by birth or naturalisation in the UK). If the parent is a British citizen by descent, the child is not automatically a British citizen, but may be eligible for registration depending on specific circumstances (e.g., UK government service abroad).
Born Before 1 January 1983
People born in the UK or a British colony before 1 January 1983 were generally Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC). They became British citizens on 1 January 1983 if they had the right of abode in the UK at that time.
Rights of British Citizens
British citizens enjoy full rights in the UK, including:
- The right of abode - freedom to live, work, study, and enter the UK without immigration restrictions.
- The right to vote in all UK elections.
- The ability to stand for public office.
- Access to public services and welfare (subject to eligibility criteria)
British Overseas Territories Citizen
A person born in one of the United Kingdom’s overseas territories (formerly colonies) before 1 January 1983 to a parent who was born, naturalised, or registered in that territory may have become a Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC), and subsequently became a British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) when the British Nationality Act 1981 came into effect on 1 January 1983. However, marriage to a BOTC does not automatically confer BOTC status. British Overseas Territories Citizens do not have the right of abode or an automatic right to live and work in the United Kingdom unless they also hold British citizenship. Therefore, they are subject to UK immigration controls.
British Subject
A natural-born British subject is one who is born within “His Majesty’s dominions and allegiance.” It also refers to one who is born outside the allegiance, but to a father who is born within the dominions and allegiance. A person born on a British ship in any waters is also a British subject.
British National Overseas
British National Overseas, or BNO, is a type of British nationality created for Hong Kong residents before the transfer of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997. It was available by registration to people who were British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTCs) in Hong Kong before 1 July 1997. The status could not be passed to children (i.e., it’s not hereditary). Registration for BN(O) closed on 30 June 1997.
What BNO Status Means:
- BNO are British nationals, but not British citizens.
- They hold a British passport that says British National Overseas
- BNO are not automatically entitled to right of abode or residency in the UK.
Recent Changes (Post-2020): BNO Visa Route:
After the 2020 political developments in Hong Kong, the UK introduced the BNO visa route. From 31 January 2021, BNO citizens and their close family members can apply for a BNO visa, which allows them to:
- Live and work in the UK for 5 years.
- Apply for settlement (ILR) after 5 years.
- Apply for British citizenship after 6 years (1 more year after ILR)
BNO status alone does not give the right to live in the UK, but the BNO visa route is a major pathway to residency and eventually full citizenship.
British Protected Person
The UK government extends limited protection to certain individuals outside its dominions, particularly those from former British protectorates, protected states, mandated territories, and trust territories. British Protected Persons may hold a British passport, but they are not British citizens and do not have the automatic right to live or work in the UK. They are subject to UK immigration controls and, in most cases, cannot hold dual nationality.
UK Entry for Dual Citizens
The UK permits dual citizenship. This means you can be a British citizen as well as a citizen of another country provided both countries allow dual citizenship. For example, if you're a national of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, the United States, France, Germany, Sweden, or Belgium, you can typically hold dual nationality without needing to renounce your original citizenship. However, some countries, such as India or China, do not permit dual nationality, and you may be required to give up your previous citizenship if you become British.
What Travel Documents Are Needed for UK Entry?
If you are a dual citizen, you must travel to the UK using your British passport, Irish passport, or a foreign passport with a valid Certificate of Entitlement to prove your Right of Abode in the UK. A British passport is the most straightforward document for re-entering the UK.
A Certificate of Entitlement is an official endorsement placed in a foreign passport that confirms your right to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions. You can apply for this certificate online, and processing can take up to 8 weeks.
If you don’t have a British passport or certificate of entitlement, and you're a national of a country that qualifies, you may be eligible to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before entering the UK. The ETA system is part of the UK's immigration digitalisation plan and is currently being rolled out in phases. Check the current list of ETA-eligible countries before you travel.
Dual nationals entering the UK without a British passport may face delays or entry issues. It’s always advisable to travel with your British passport if you are a British citizen.
How Global British Passports Can Help
Global British Passports has over 20 years of experience working with His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) to deliver end-to-end passport services. Whether you're looking to:
- Apply for your first British passport,
- Renew your existing one,
- Get help with dual citizenship documentation,
- Or need assistance applying for a Certificate of Entitlement or ETA,
Global British Passports can guide you through every step. They specialise in demystifying complex UK immigration and travel rules and provide expert, jargon-free support, no matter where in the world you are.
They also offer tailored services for British citizens who are:
- Living abroad
- Travelling with non-British passports
- Navigating dual nationality or complex citizenship scenarios
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is eligible for British citizenship by birth in the UK?
A person born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 is a British citizen only if at least one parent was:
- A British citizen, or
- Settled in the UK (e.g., holding Indefinite Leave to Remain or Permanent Residence) at the time of birth.
2. Can someone born outside the UK automatically be a British citizen?
Yes, if one parent is a British citizen otherwise than by descent (e.g., by birth or naturalisation in the UK), the child born abroad may automatically be British. If the parent is a British citizen by descent, the child may not automatically be British but might be eligible for registration depending on circumstances.
3. What about people born before 1 January 1983?
Those born in the UK or British colonies before this date were generally Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC). They became British citizens on 1 January 1983 if they had the right of abode in the UK at that time.
4. What rights do British citizens have?
British citizens have the right to:
- Live, work, study, and enter the UK without immigration restrictions (Right of Abode)
- Vote in all UK elections
- Stand for public office
- Access public services and welfare (subject to eligibility)
5. Who are British Overseas Territories Citizens?
People born before 1 January 1983 in UK overseas territories to a parent born, naturalised, or registered in that territory may have become Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC), later becoming BOTCs after 1983. BOTCs do not automatically have the right of abode or work in the UK unless they also hold British citizenship.
6. Does marrying a BOTC grant BOTC status?
No, marriage to a BOTC does not automatically confer BOTC status.
7. What is British National Overseas status?
BNO status was created for Hong Kong residents who were British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTCs) before the 1997 handover. BNO status is not hereditary and registration closed on 30 June 1997.
8. What rights does BNO status confer?
BNO nationals are British nationals but not British citizens. They hold a British National Overseas passport but do not have the right of abode or automatic residency in the UK.
9. What is the BNO visa route introduced after 2020?
Since 31 January 2021, BNO citizens and close family members can apply for a visa to live and work in the UK for 5 years, apply for settlement (ILR) after 5 years, and apply for British citizenship after 6 years.
10. What is a British Protected Person?
BPP status applies to individuals from former British protectorates, protected states, and trust territories. BPPs may hold a British passport but are not British citizens and do not have the right of abode or automatic right to live/work in the UK.
11. Does the UK allow dual citizenship?
Yes, the UK permits dual citizenship if both countries allow it.
12. Which countries typically allow dual nationality with the UK?
Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, the United States, France, Germany, Sweden, and Belgium usually allow dual nationality.
13. Which countries do not allow dual nationality with the UK?
Countries such as India and China generally do not permit dual nationality, and you may need to renounce your previous citizenship if you become British.
14. What documents do dual citizens need to enter the UK?
Dual citizens must travel using one of the following:
- British passport (most straightforward)
- Irish passport
- Foreign passport with a valid Certificate of Entitlement proving Right of Abode in the UK
15. What is a Certificate of Entitlement?
An official endorsement in a foreign passport confirming the holder’s right to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions. Processing can take up to 8 weeks.
16. What if I don’t have a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement?
If you are from an eligible country, you may apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the UK. Check the latest ETA-eligible countries list before travel.
17. Are there risks traveling without a British passport?
Yes, dual nationals without a British passport may face delays or entry issues. It is strongly advised to travel with your British passport if you have one.
18. What services does Global British Passports provide?
They offer over 20 years of expertise in:
- Applying for first British passports
- Renewing British passports
- Assisting with dual citizenship documentation
- Helping apply for Certificates of Entitlement or ETAs
They provide clear, jargon-free support globally, especially for British citizens living abroad or with complex citizenship scenarios.
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