The UK government has reversed a controversial border rule, allowing certain dual nationals with EU citizenship to enter the country using their European passports rather than a British one.
The change was confirmed by the Home Office and affects people who gained British citizenship after obtaining settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme following Brexit.
The original policy, introduced on 25 February, required British dual nationals to present a British passport or a certificate of entitlement – which costs £589 – before boarding flights to the UK.
The rule created difficulties for thousands of people who had already become British citizens but were still waiting for their passports.
Under updated guidance on the government website, eligible travellers can now enter the UK using their EU documents.
The guidance states: “If you got British citizenship after settling in the UK under the EU settlement scheme, you can travel to the UK using a valid: passport of your other nationality; [or] national identity card from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.”
Campaigners say the update was not clearly announced and appeared only on a government webpage, rather than the main page explaining the new border rules.
The migrant rights organisation the3million said the decision would help many travellers but criticised the lack of communication from officials.
Monique Hawkins, the group’s head of policy and advocacy, said: “We are really pleased that this change will help those who faced an effective travel ban following their naturalisation ceremony.
“But it is so disappointing that these changes come without any consultation, and several weeks too late.”
She added: “The changes are hidden away on obscure Home Office pages. People are hearing about it from us, rather than from the government.”
Some dual nationals say the original rule created costly travel problems.
One Latvian-British citizen, Jelena, had already altered her travel plans because she had not yet received her UK passport after completing the naturalisation process.
She had planned to return to Latvia after a trip to South America rather than travelling back to Britain.
“I was meant to be excited about the upcoming holiday, but instead I had to stress about this and rearrange travel,” she said.
“I have already spent £2,000 on the naturalisation process … and as it stood, after South America I wouldn’t be able to return to my flat which we own in a country I have lived in for nearly 16 years.”
Jelena later received confirmation that she could enter the UK using her EU passport.
However, she said the situation had left a “bitter aftertaste”.
The rule change does not apply to all dual nationals, including some British citizens living in the EU or individuals who gained citizenship through routes other than the EU settlement scheme.
During a parliamentary debate, Mike Tapp dismissed criticism about the government’s communication as “absurd”.
The Home Office has yet to issue a wider public announcement explaining the policy change.