The UK government has quietly revised its passport guidance for British and Irish dual nationals, introducing a temporary measure that may allow some travellers to enter the United Kingdom using an expired British passport — but only at the discretion of airlines and other carriers.
The change, which takes effect from Wednesday, follows weeks of confusion and last-minute panic among dual citizens, including thousands of Australians, after new border requirements were rolled out earlier this year.
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What Has Changed?
Under the newly updated guidance from the UK Home Office, carriers such as airlines, ferry operators and international rail services may now choose to accept an expired British passport as an alternative travel document for dual nationals.
To qualify under this temporary arrangement, travellers must:
- Hold an expired UK passport issued in 1989 or later
- Also hold a valid passport from a country eligible for the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme
- Ensure that personal details match exactly on both passports
Even if permitted to board by the airline or carrier, travellers could still face additional identity checks upon arrival at UK passport control.
Crucially, the decision to accept an expired passport rests entirely with the carrier. There is no guarantee of acceptance, meaning policies may vary between airlines or even between individual staff members.
Background: The Original Rule Change
The controversy stems from changes announced last year by the UK Home Office. Under the revised border rules, British and Irish dual nationals were required to travel using a valid British or Irish passport.
Previously, some dual citizens were able to enter the UK on their other nationality’s passport. However, the introduction of the ETA system — which applies to travellers from certain visa-exempt countries — tightened requirements.
From Wednesday, dual nationals who did not have a valid British or Irish passport were expected to obtain one or apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode, a process that can be costly and time-consuming.
Many affected travellers say they only became aware of the change in recent weeks, prompting a scramble to locate documents and submit urgent passport applications.
Confusion and Last-Minute Scramble
For Australians with dual British citizenship, the new requirements triggered widespread uncertainty. Some only discovered their British citizenship status when travel plans were already underway.
The sudden realisation that a valid British passport was required placed long-planned holidays and family trips in jeopardy. Passport processing times, costs and documentation requirements added further stress.
Now, the introduction of discretionary powers for carriers may ease the burden for some — but industry leaders warn it could also deepen confusion.
Travel Industry Raises Concerns
Dean Long, CEO of the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), criticised the way the policy has been communicated and implemented.
He described the situation as “absolutely dreadful,” arguing that allowing airlines to exercise discretion over expired passport acceptance creates inconsistency and uncertainty.
Travel agents, he said, are now unable to provide clear advice because airline policies may differ or shift rapidly.
“We can’t properly advise travellers over which airlines will be willing to accept expired British passports because the information is changing every minute,” he said.
Long has urged the UK Home Office to extend the February 25 deadline to give travellers and carriers more time to adapt.
Government Response
In a statement, a Home Office spokeswoman acknowledged the significance of the changes, stating that officials had been clear about requirements for dual British citizens.
However, it remains unclear exactly when the most recent update to the guidance was posted online.
The lack of formal announcement has drawn criticism from travellers and industry representatives who say communication has been insufficient for a policy affecting large numbers of people across multiple countries.
What Travellers Should Do Next
Dual citizens planning to travel to the UK in the coming weeks are strongly advised to:
- Check the latest guidance on the UK Home Office website
- Contact their airline directly to confirm whether expired British passports will be accepted
- Ensure personal details match across all travel documents
- Prepare for possible additional identity checks upon arrival
While the temporary guidance may offer a practical solution for some, the reliance on carrier discretion means uncertainty remains.
For thousands of Australians and other dual nationals, the episode has underscored the complexity of modern border systems — and the importance of checking passport validity well ahead of international travel.
Whether the temporary measure will remain in place beyond this week is not yet clear, leaving many travellers watching closely for further updates.
