General24 August 2026
Can You Travel to the UK on a Foreign Passport? | British Dual Nationals
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If you hold British citizenship and another nationality, understanding the British dual citizenship rules, UK dual citizenship rules, and UK dual citizenship travel rules is essential before you book your next flight. Can a British dual national enter the UK with a foreign passport? Do British dual nationals need an ETA? What happens if your British passport has expired? These questions have become increasingly important as the UK moves towards a more digital system for checking passengers’ permission and status before travel.
The UK allows dual citizenship, meaning you can be a British citizen while also holding citizenship of another country. However, having dual nationality does not mean you can automatically travel to the UK with whichever passport you prefer. The UK government currently states that British dual nationals can travel using a valid British passport, a valid Irish passport, or another valid passport with a Certificate of Entitlement proving their right of abode in the UK.
The rules surrounding travel documents have become particularly important since the UK strengthened its digital travel-permission system. The Home Office says international carriers now use automated checks to confirm whether passengers have the required permission or status to travel. In this guide, we explain what the latest rules mean for British dual nationals. We also answer key questions, including Can British dual nationals travel to the UK on a foreign passport? Do British dual nationals need an ETA? Can they travel with an expired British passport? And what documents can British dual nationals use to enter the UK?
Yes, but not simply because they hold a foreign passport. Under the current UK dual citizenship rules, a British dual national generally needs to demonstrate their British citizenship or right of abode when travelling to the UK. The safest and standard option is a valid British passport. The UK government states that a dual national can also travel using another valid passport if it carries a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode, or by using a valid Irish passport.
For most British dual nationals, the clearest option is to travel with a valid British passport. The UK government currently identifies the following documents for a British dual citizen travelling to the UK:
A British-Nigerian dual national, for example, may hold both a valid Nigerian passport and British citizenship. The Nigerian passport remains a valid travel document for international travel, but using it by itself does not automatically establish the person's right to enter the UK as a British citizen.
For travel to the UK, the dual national should normally use their British passport. Alternatively, they may use their other valid passport if it has a Certificate of Entitlement proving their right of abode.
This is relevant to British-Nigerian families who live outside the UK and travel between Nigeria and Britain.
An expired British passport does not always mean that a British dual national must abandon their journey. The UK government states that a carrier may allow a dual national to travel if they have:
Meanwhile, the personal details on the two passports must match. However, the carrier makes the decision about whether to accept the documents. Therefore, travellers should not treat an expired British passport as an automatic substitute for a current one. If possible, renewing the British passport before travelling remains the more safest option.
The UK dual citizenship travel rules are easier to understand when you separate citizenship from immigration permission.
Typically, a British citizen has the right to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions. For international travel, however, British dual nationals need documentation that allows their carrier and UK authorities to establish their identity and British status.
Below are details to the travel rules:
One of the most important current UK dual citizenship rules concerns the ETA. An ETA is a digital permission to travel that applies to certain visitors who do not otherwise require a UK visa. It is not a visa and does not itself grant entry to the UK. British citizens are outside this requirement.
The Home Office confirms that British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt from the ETA requirement. This means a British-Nigerian dual national does not need to obtain an ETA simply because they also hold Nigerian citizenship.
Although British citizens do not need an ETA, the UK government strongly advises British dual nationals to travel with a valid British passport or another recognised document proving their right of abode.
The government's guidance says:
“As a British dual citizen, you can travel to the UK” using a valid British passport, another valid passport with a Certificate of Entitlement, or a valid Irish passport.
Therefore, for most travellers, the British passport is the simplest travel document.
A British dual national who arrives at the airport with only a foreign passport may encounter difficulties, particularly if that passport normally requires an ETA or visa for travel to the UK. The reason is straightforward: the traveller cannot rely on an ETA to resolve the problem if they are already a British citizen. The UK government says that British or Irish dual citizens cannot get an ETA.
Furthermore, the UK government introduced stronger carrier checks as part of ETA enforcement. It warned that British dual nationals should make sure they have a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement to avoid problems such as being denied boarding.
This is an important part of the UK dual citizenship travel rules that travellers sometimes overlook. Your airline or other carrier may check your passport and travel permissions before allowing you to board. The UK government specifically addresses carriers and states that British dual citizens should have the appropriate documentation before travelling.
Consequently, the issue may arise before the traveller reaches UK border control.
This is why British dual nationals should verify their documents before leaving for the airport.
Not every British dual national has exactly the same travel circumstances. For example, GOV.UK provides a specific route for people who became British citizens after settling in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. Such individuals may be able to travel using a valid passport of their other nationality or an eligible national identity card, provided they meet the relevant requirements and maintain the appropriate UKVI records.
A Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode provides evidence that a person has the right of abode in the UK. Someone with the right of abode can live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions and does not need a visa or ETA relevant to the UK.
A dual national who does not want or cannot use a British passport may, where eligible, use a foreign passport containing the appropriate Certificate of Entitlement.
This can be particularly to people who hold British citizenship but primarily use another country's passport for international travel.
The safest approach under the current UK dual citizenship travel rules is to prepare your documentation before leaving for the airport. Before travelling to the UK, British dual nationals should:
Yes, in limited circumstances. Having British citizenship does not mean that a British citizen can automatically use any foreign passport to travel to the UK. Under the current UK dual citizenship rules, British citizens who also hold another nationality should normally travel with a valid British passport, a valid Irish passport, or another valid passport containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. This distinction matters for British dual nationals, including people who hold British citizenship alongside Nigerian, Ghanaian, American, Canadian or other citizenship.
For British dual nationals, the document used for travel to the UK matters because being a British citizen is different from simply holding a passport from another country. Under the current UK dual citizenship travel rules, the standard documents British dual nationals can use are a valid British passport, a valid Irish passport, or another valid passport linked to a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode.
The UK government currently gives British dual citizens several possible routes depending on their circumstances. Some of the options include:
A valid British passport is the most straightforward travel document for a British dual national travelling to the UK. GOV.UK specifically states that British dual citizens can travel to the UK using a valid UK passport. The Home Office also recommends that British dual nationals use the appropriate British documentation when travelling to avoid delays with carriers.
For example, a person who holds both British and Nigerian citizenship can use their valid British passport when travelling from Nigeria to the UK.
This also removes confusion about the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): British dual nationals do not need an ETA, and GOV.UK states that British or Irish dual citizens cannot obtain one.
A British dual national can also travel to the UK using a valid Irish passport.
The UK recognises the Common Travel Area arrangements between the UK and Ireland. GOV.UK lists a valid Irish passport alongside a valid UK passport as an acceptable document for British dual nationals travelling to the UK.
This can be particularly useful for someone who holds British and Irish citizenship and normally travels using their Irish passport.
A British dual national who wants to travel using a foreign passport can generally do so if that passport is accompanied or linked to a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode.
The Certificate of Entitlement is official evidence that the holder has the right of abode in the UK. GOV.UK explains that a British citizen with a foreign passport can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement. This option can therefore be relevant to a British-Nigerian dual national who wants to travel using a Nigerian passport rather than a British passport.
Since February 2026, the UK has moved to digital Certificates of Entitlement. The UK government states that a digital certificate does not expire when the passport expires, although the holder must update their UKVI account when their passport or personal details change.
British dual nationals may also be able to travel with an expired UK passport, but this is subject to specific conditions.
The UK government says a carrier may allow a dual national to travel if they have:
The personal details on the two passports must match. The decision to allow travel ultimately rests with the carrier. Therefore, British dual nationals should not assume that every expired British passport will automatically be accepted for travel.
If you have an expired British passport and are planning to travel soon, check the current GOV.UK requirements and confirm your documents with your carrier before travelling.
There is a specific exception for certain British dual nationals who obtained British citizenship after settling in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. GOV.UK states that such people may be able to travel to the UK using a valid passport of their other nationality. Eligible EU, Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Swiss citizens may also be able to use a valid national identity card.
However, this arrangement does not apply automatically to every British dual national. Hence, travellers using this route need to ensure that their relevant travel document is correctly linked to their UKVI account and that their status can be verified.
The UK government specifically advises travellers to check their eVisa and update their UKVI account when their passport or identity document changes.
If a British dual national previously held a British passport but no longer has a usable one, for example, because it has been lost or other circumstances prevent its use. An Emergency Travel Document (ETD) may be an option in appropriate cases.
The UK government states that someone who previously had a UK passport can apply for an emergency travel document.
Meanwhile, an ETD is not simply a replacement for a normal British passport in every situation. So, you should always check whether you qualify and whether the document will meet your particular travel needs.
For British-Nigerian dual nationals dealing with Nigerian passports, identity documents and related travel documentation, Global Plug Services provides application-support services from the UK. At Global Plug Services, we help applicants understand and navigate relevant document processes, while the final decision on citizenship, immigration status, passports and entry remains with the appropriate government authority.
No. British dual nationals do not need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. People who hold British or Irish citizenship can travel with an appropriate document proving their British citizenship or right of abode, such as a valid British passport, Irish passport, or another valid passport with a Certificate of Entitlement.
An ETA is designed for eligible people who are travelling to the UK as visitors and who do not otherwise need a visa or have another form of UK immigration permission. A British citizen already has the right to enter the UK as a British citizen. The government therefore does not treat a British dual national as an ordinary foreign visitor who needs an ETA.
Yes, British dual nationals may be able to travel to the UK using an expired British passport alongside a valid foreign passport under a temporary Home Office concession, but this is entirely at the discretion of the airline or transport carrier.
If your foreign passport is not linked to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) record, you must update your digital profile immediately to avoid being denied boarding or facing major delays at the UK border.
