Key Takeaways:
- Dual nationals living in New Zealand are being told they can no longer travel to the UK with their Kiwi passports, and must instead use their British passport
- The change affects anyone born in Britain or with British citizenship, and is part of a global tightening of borders and passport rules
- Dual nationals will have to pay more to visit the UK, and may face difficulties and delays in obtaining a British passport
- The change has been criticized as discriminatory and poorly signalled, with many affected individuals feeling like they are being treated as "second-class citizens"
- Other countries, including Canada, have also changed their rules to require dual citizens to travel on their country of citizenship’s passport
Introduction to the Issue
Dual nationals living in New Zealand are facing a new challenge when it comes to traveling to the UK. As of the end of February, anyone who was born in Britain or has British citizenship will no longer be able to travel to the UK without a British passport. This change has been met with criticism and concern from those affected, who feel that they are being treated as "second-class citizens". The British High Commission has stated that the change is part of a global tightening of borders and passport rules, and that dual nationals must enter the UK on their British passport or on the passport of another country with a UK certificate of entitlement.
Impact on Dual Nationals
The change is having a significant impact on dual nationals, who will now have to pay more to visit the UK and may face difficulties and delays in obtaining a British passport. Art historian Mark Stocker, who emigrated to New Zealand from Britain in the 1980s, said that the change is "nuts" and that he feels like he is being treated unfairly. Stocker, who still returns to the UK for family, friends, and work commitments, said that he will now have to apply for a second passport or renounce his citizenship in order to travel to the UK. He criticized the British government for not signaling the change more clearly and for making it difficult for dual nationals to comply with the new rules.
Global Trends in Passport Rules
The change is not unique to the UK, with other countries also tightening their passport rules. A Canadian man living in Dunedin, who wished to remain anonymous, said that he experienced a similar situation when his family was traveling to Canada two years ago. He was told that his son, who only had a New Zealand passport, would not be able to enter Canada without a Canadian passport. The man said that he had to apply for an emergency waiver through the consulate, which was a difficult and stressful process. He warned that other dual nationals could face similar challenges when traveling to their country of citizenship.
Concerns and Criticisms
The change has raised concerns and criticisms from those affected, who feel that it is discriminatory and poorly signalled. Many have accused the British government of revenue-gouging, while others have criticized the lack of clear communication and the short timeframe for implementing the change. The travel agents’ association has warned that the change may cause anxiety and panic for those traveling soon, and has advised people to always check and never assume that their current passport will be sufficient. The association’s chief executive, Julie White, said that the change is a big one and may have benefited from more proactive advertising and more time to adjust.
Response from the British High Commission
The British High Commission has responded to the criticism, stating that the change is part of a global effort to capture data, check identities, and ward off criminals, illegal immigrants, and terrorists. The commission said that it has been posting about the requirements for dual nationals since August 2025, and has encouraged British nationals to apply for or renew their passports as soon as possible. However, the commission did not answer questions about why dual nationals cannot apply for an ETA or how long it takes to get a new passport at the moment.
Conclusion
The change in passport rules for dual nationals traveling to the UK has raised concerns and criticisms from those affected. The change is part of a global trend towards tighter passport rules, and has been met with criticism and concern from those who feel that they are being treated unfairly. As the deadline for the change approaches, anxiety levels are rising, and many are warning that the change may cause difficulties and delays for those traveling to the UK. It remains to be seen how the British government will respond to the criticism and concerns, and whether the change will have a significant impact on dual nationals living in New Zealand.
