February 26, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
Toronto — New travel regulations introduced by the United Kingdom this week are prompting confusion and frustration among Canadians who hold dual citizenship, particularly those with British ties who frequently travel between the two countries.
Effective February 25, 2026, the U.K. government has fully enforced its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for most visitors and clarified documentation requirements for dual nationals — changes that many dual Canadian-British citizens say were not adequately communicated before implementation.
Under the new rules, individuals travelling to the U.K. from visa-exempt countries including Canada must obtain an ETA before departure unless they are entering with documentation that proves their right of abode, such as a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement. British and Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement provided they can verify their status with one of those travel documents.
For dual Canadian and British citizens, this means that many can no longer board flights to the U.K. using only their Canadian passport even if that has been standard practice in the past. Instead, they must travel on a valid British passport or produce a Certificate of Entitlement demonstrating their right to reside in the U.K., or they risk being denied boarding at the airport.
Travel Shock and Scramble for Documentation
Many dual citizens have taken to social media and travel forums to express their surprise and frustration. Some said they only discovered the changes when attempting to book flights, while others reported being forced to delay travel plans while applying for British passports or certificates proving their right of abode.
Critics of the update argue that the rapid rollout has created unnecessary hurdles for families, professionals, and students who travel frequently between Canada and the U.K., especially those who had relied on flexible travel arrangements without carrying a second passport. The switch to mandatory digital travel permissions and stricter document checks has highlighted gaps in outreach and education about the new regulations.
Government Rationale and Implementation
The U.K. government says the changes are part of broader border modernisation efforts, aiming to streamline entry procedures and enhance national security by ensuring all travellers have verified travel authorisation before departure. The ETA system functions similarly to travel authorisation schemes in the United States and the European Union, requiring advance digital clearance linked to a passport before boarding.
British authorities have also noted that the ETA requirement does not apply to British citizens — but only if they travel with the correct documentation demonstrating that citizenship, such as a British passport or Right of Abode certification. Airlines and carriers are now legally obliged to check for valid travel documents before allowing boarding, a shift that authorities say will reduce disruptions when passengers arrive at British border control without proper authorisation.
Personal and Practical Impacts
For Canadian families with British heritage, the rule change has practical implications: children born abroad to British parents, adults who have held British citizenship but never applied for a passport, and older dual nationals who have not updated their travel documents all face potential entry delays and additional costs to comply.
Some travellers have noted that the Certificate of Entitlement — an alternative travel document that demonstrates the right of abode — can be expensive and time-consuming to obtain compared with renewing a passport. Couples, parents, and students planning visits around family milestones or academic terms are now racing to secure the necessary paperwork.
Looking Ahead
Officials urge travellers to check documentation requirements well before travel dates and to apply for British passports or Certificates of Entitlement if needed. With strict enforcement of the ETA and right-of-entry rules now in place, preparation and advance planning have become crucial for dual nationals hoping to avoid costly travel disruptions.
As travel continues to rebound post-pandemic, dual citizens and frequent flyers say clearer communication and transitional arrangements from authorities could help reduce confusion while preserving border security objectives.