UK ETA and dual UK-US citizenship
Discussion
I'm a dual UK and US citizen and resident in the US. I am looking to visit the UK and would travel into/out of the UK with my US passport. Looking at the UK GOV website I am not sure how to interpret the below information. Anyone better informed? Do I need an ETA if I travel on my US passport but have my UK passport too?
QUOTE
Dual citizens
If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA. Prove your permission to travel using a:
valid British passport
valid Irish passport
other valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement
QUOTE
Dual citizens
If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA. Prove your permission to travel using a:
valid British passport
valid Irish passport
other valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement
Use your US passport to leave the US/enter the US on your return.. and UK passport to enter and leave the UK....
You don't need an ETA.. you have a UK passport.
In the same way you don't need an ESTA for the US.. you have a US passport..
Those of us with UK & EU nationality do this all the time when travelling between the UK and EU..
You don't need an ETA.. you have a UK passport.
In the same way you don't need an ESTA for the US.. you have a US passport..
Those of us with UK & EU nationality do this all the time when travelling between the UK and EU..
Edited by HiAsAKite on Sunday 23 March 21:09
I’d say yes. I don’t think you can enter a country using two passports - the entry record is based on a scan of the details of a single passport.
I assume there is a good reason you don’t want to use your U.K. passport to enter the U.K.; if so and you use your US passport you would need to do what any other US passport holder would have to do.
Happy to be corrected by any dual citizens who know first hand what can and can’t be done.
I assume there is a good reason you don’t want to use your U.K. passport to enter the U.K.; if so and you use your US passport you would need to do what any other US passport holder would have to do.
Happy to be corrected by any dual citizens who know first hand what can and can’t be done.
BlackTails said:
I’d say yes. I don’t think you can enter a country using two passports - the entry record is based on a scan of the details of a single passport.
I assume there is a good reason you don’t want to use your U.K. passport to enter the U.K.; if so and you use your US passport you would need to do what any other US passport holder would have to do.
Happy to be corrected by any dual citizens who know first hand what can and can’t be done.
This is also correct.. if you use your US passport to enter the UK.I assume there is a good reason you don’t want to use your U.K. passport to enter the U.K.; if so and you use your US passport you would need to do what any other US passport holder would have to do.
Happy to be corrected by any dual citizens who know first hand what can and can’t be done.
But why would you not use your UK passport?
It's not UK passport control that you need to worry about, as a UK citizen you're entitled to enter the UK. However, you shouldn't be able to board a UK-bound flight without proving that you'll be able to enter the UK when you get here, so you'll either need your UK passport or some other documentation that demonstrates your entitlement. So if you don't have a UK passport I'd suggest you check with your airline exactly what evidence they will accept. Alternatively you can just act like any other US citizen and get an ETA.
E63eeeeee... said:
It's not UK passport control that you need to worry about, as a UK citizen you're entitled to enter the UK. However, you shouldn't be able to board a UK-bound flight without proving that you'll be able to enter the UK when you get here, so you'll either need your UK passport or some other documentation that demonstrates your entitlement. So if you don't have a UK passport I'd suggest you check with your airline exactly what evidence they will accept. Alternatively you can just act like any other US citizen and get an ETA.
Yes, it's the "Prove your permission to travel" bit the OP quoted which is important - it doesn't say 'prove your permission to enter'.Apparently there is/was a 'glitch' with the ETA online application process whereby if you wanted to apply as a non-UK citizen, but you had UK dual citizenship, there was a question asking if you have UK citizenship. If you said yes, then the application for an ETA was rejected, so seemingly forcing you to travel into the UK on your UK passport.
There is a reason I would prefer to travel on my US passport, but I won't go into it on a forum, ....its nothing 'dodgy'.
If I do have to use my UK passport to enter the UK, do I need to use it to leave on my return flight check in, or my US to leave, as that is the passport I'd book my ticket with and obviously re-enter the US on?
There is a reason I would prefer to travel on my US passport, but I won't go into it on a forum, ....its nothing 'dodgy'.
If I do have to use my UK passport to enter the UK, do I need to use it to leave on my return flight check in, or my US to leave, as that is the passport I'd book my ticket with and obviously re-enter the US on?
geeman237 said:
Apparently there is/was a 'glitch' with the ETA online application process whereby if you wanted to apply as a non-UK citizen, but you had UK dual citizenship, there was a question asking if you have UK citizenship. If you said yes, then the application for an ETA was rejected, so seemingly forcing you to travel into the UK on your UK passport.
There is a reason I would prefer to travel on my US passport, but I won't go into it on a forum, ....its nothing 'dodgy'.
If I do have to use my UK passport to enter the UK, do I need to use it to leave on my return flight check in, or my US to leave, as that is the passport I'd book my ticket with and obviously re-enter the US on?
That's not a glitch, if you're a UK citizen, you're supposed to enter as a UK citizen. There is a reason I would prefer to travel on my US passport, but I won't go into it on a forum, ....its nothing 'dodgy'.
If I do have to use my UK passport to enter the UK, do I need to use it to leave on my return flight check in, or my US to leave, as that is the passport I'd book my ticket with and obviously re-enter the US on?
I'm following up with what I actually did on this issue.
I booked my flight via jetBlue and didn't get asked for any passport details other than my US Global Entry number.
Booking confirmed and an email later received from jetBlue that visitors to the UK needed an ETA.
I went onto the UK Gov ETA website and submitted some questions about entry as a dual US/UK citizen.
Answer came back as
"Thank you for your email enquiry dated xx-xx-xx regarding Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). We understand you are a dual UK and US citizen and would like to know if you can apply for an ETA.
If you are a dual citizen with British citizenship, you do not need an ETA. You prove your permission to travel using your valid British passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the UK.
If you have booked travel using another passport, you should carry your current British passport or the passport that contains your certificate of entitlement to the Right of Abode. If requested, you can present this passport to prove your right to enter the UK to your carrier or at the border. This will help to avoid complications or delays when you travel.
When travelling to the UK, we would recommend that you always carry a valid British passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. Passengers seeking to rely on an expired British passport to establish a permission to travel may be delayed before travelling, or even denied travel by their carrier (eg. your airline).
Should you require further information about ETA, please go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-auth... If you would like to speak to a live agent via webchat please go to https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.g... live agents will be available 09:00 – 17:00 GMT Monday to Friday and 09:30 - 16:30 Saturday and Sunday."
This gave me a good degree of confidence so I left it at that.
On the day of my US departure I completed a self check-in at the airport and this involved scanning my US passport. No questions were presented regarding an ETA being required. My first flight took me to JFK where I had a layover before the JFK to LHR leg. At JFK some people were called up to the gate desk to provide ETA details, I wasn't and there were no issues when I boarded. Great, just UK immigration to go.
At LHR Immigration I asked an assistant ahead of the e-Gate which passport to use, "Either is fine" was his answer. So I got in the queue for the e-Gates and decided to present my US passport with no ETA associated with it. Gate opened with no questions and I'm through.
So, how was I able to enter the UK on a US passport with no ETA logged against it and no request to show my UK passport?
I have since assumed that when I renewed my UK passport a couple of years ago I remembered had to provide a scanned copy of my US passport and my US details were no doubt logged on my UK passport renewal. This is probably why my US passport was accepted at the e-Gate with no further questions.
My return to the US was equally easy.
I booked my flight via jetBlue and didn't get asked for any passport details other than my US Global Entry number.
Booking confirmed and an email later received from jetBlue that visitors to the UK needed an ETA.
I went onto the UK Gov ETA website and submitted some questions about entry as a dual US/UK citizen.
Answer came back as
"Thank you for your email enquiry dated xx-xx-xx regarding Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). We understand you are a dual UK and US citizen and would like to know if you can apply for an ETA.
If you are a dual citizen with British citizenship, you do not need an ETA. You prove your permission to travel using your valid British passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the UK.
If you have booked travel using another passport, you should carry your current British passport or the passport that contains your certificate of entitlement to the Right of Abode. If requested, you can present this passport to prove your right to enter the UK to your carrier or at the border. This will help to avoid complications or delays when you travel.
When travelling to the UK, we would recommend that you always carry a valid British passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. Passengers seeking to rely on an expired British passport to establish a permission to travel may be delayed before travelling, or even denied travel by their carrier (eg. your airline).
Should you require further information about ETA, please go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-auth... If you would like to speak to a live agent via webchat please go to https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.g... live agents will be available 09:00 – 17:00 GMT Monday to Friday and 09:30 - 16:30 Saturday and Sunday."
This gave me a good degree of confidence so I left it at that.
On the day of my US departure I completed a self check-in at the airport and this involved scanning my US passport. No questions were presented regarding an ETA being required. My first flight took me to JFK where I had a layover before the JFK to LHR leg. At JFK some people were called up to the gate desk to provide ETA details, I wasn't and there were no issues when I boarded. Great, just UK immigration to go.
At LHR Immigration I asked an assistant ahead of the e-Gate which passport to use, "Either is fine" was his answer. So I got in the queue for the e-Gates and decided to present my US passport with no ETA associated with it. Gate opened with no questions and I'm through.
So, how was I able to enter the UK on a US passport with no ETA logged against it and no request to show my UK passport?
I have since assumed that when I renewed my UK passport a couple of years ago I remembered had to provide a scanned copy of my US passport and my US details were no doubt logged on my UK passport renewal. This is probably why my US passport was accepted at the e-Gate with no further questions.
My return to the US was equally easy.
I have dual Swiss-UK nationality, resident in Geneva. I recently travelled to the UK with Easyjet, using my UK passport details in the “additional passenger information” part of the booking, presumably satisfying the ETA requirements of the airline.
However, as usual, I show my Swiss ID card at the airport before departure. Upon landing in the UK, I use my UK passport at the e-gates for entry. And then do the reverse on the return leg (as in Geneva the UK is ‘other passports’ and a different and usually longer queue.)
Mrs B was once upbraided by Geneva passport control for showing her UK passport for re-entry into Switzerland, the official insisting she should use Swiss ID at local controls even if she were a dual citizen (which their records obviously indicated.)
Also upon leaving Calais 15 months ago by Le Shuttle towards Folkestone and showing UK passports (admittedly in a CH-registered car), the French border guard then asked if we had any other nationalities and demanded to see our Swiss IDs as well.
However, as usual, I show my Swiss ID card at the airport before departure. Upon landing in the UK, I use my UK passport at the e-gates for entry. And then do the reverse on the return leg (as in Geneva the UK is ‘other passports’ and a different and usually longer queue.)
Mrs B was once upbraided by Geneva passport control for showing her UK passport for re-entry into Switzerland, the official insisting she should use Swiss ID at local controls even if she were a dual citizen (which their records obviously indicated.)
Also upon leaving Calais 15 months ago by Le Shuttle towards Folkestone and showing UK passports (admittedly in a CH-registered car), the French border guard then asked if we had any other nationalities and demanded to see our Swiss IDs as well.
ShortBeardy said:
Using the appropriate passport to enter the country is always such a nice experience.
Nothing beats a `Welcome home Sir' from passport control.
I've always found them to be a bit nosey and over familiar, using my first name for example which I'm not used to anymore from 'Officialdom' after living in Germany for nearly 30 years.Nothing beats a `Welcome home Sir' from passport control.
The problem with ETAs and UK passports for dual nationality people, is being expected to keep up a British passport. I've got 4 kids all with dual nationality, a German passport is like 30€, takes a week or so at a local office, the Brit one is an almighty expensive ball-ache in comparison, and of course is only 5 years for kids. You can't fill in an ETA application with 'other nationality ' as UK, it's not an option - you're just expected to show the UK passport
The Moose said:
When flying, I don’t think I’ve been seen by a real person for a long time.
In the past year Mrs B has been evaluated as partially-sighted (retinal issues since childhood), so now at age 60 carries a white stick (canne de signalisation), so that others know to give her a bit more time to deal with steps, getting on/off public transport, or to avoid her when arriving in the opposite direction[1]. This does mean that we are waved through as a couple at airport security. Last Monday night when we returned from London to Geneva we were waved past the normal passport queues to a cordonned off diplomatic booth where the border guard inspected our documents and wished a pleasant return to Switzerland.
Our son joined us for a few days on this trip, but his UK passport didn't work in the e-gates, so he had to queue up. The UK border guard welcomed him back to the UK (he has not lived there for 26 years, having left when he was 7 years old), and asked him if he had had a pleasant stay in Geneva. "Yeah, it was great..." was apparently an acceptable response.
[1] If the b
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