Dual Canada-U.K. citizens caught off guard by new travel rules

CTV’s Alexandra Holyk takes a look at how changes passport rules in the U.K. may impact Canadian travellers.

New rules are now in effect for travellers heading to the United Kingdom.

As of Feb. 25, those with dual Canada-U.K. citizenship must now travel using their U.K. or Irish passport, while citizens who are solely Canadian need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

“There’s never been a need to have a British passport to go back to Britain,” said Chris Prosser, a dual citizen living in Waterloo Region.

Prosser moved to Canada from the U.K. in 2013 after marrying his Canadian-born wife. He became a dual citizen five years ago and the couple has two children. Their family has plans to travel to the U.K. in June.

“My wife is obviously Canadian, but she’s also a dual citizen as well,” he said. “Her mum was born in Britain. So we’re working with three cases where we’re needing a passport.”

Prosser said his wife and children are scrambling to get their British passports before their trip.

“If you are considered a dual citizen, you are not eligible to apply for an ETA anymore and you must travel on a U.K. Passport,” said Sirena Bowles, a travel agent with The Traveler Next Door.

According to the U.K. government website, dual citizens can be born in the U.K. or born elsewhere to parents with British citizenship. As dual nationals, they can travel to the U.K. with a valid U.K. or Irish passport, or a certificate of entitlement which can cost up to $1,000.

The British government said the move will help streamline and strengthen the immigration system.

“The U.K. is allowed to choose what their rules are and put whatever rules they want in place,” Bowles said. “And it’s up to us as travellers to make sure that we meet the requirements.”

Canadian travellers who aren’t dual citizens may be required to get an ETA even if they’re just switching terminals for a connecting flight.

“It’s a pretty simple process,” said Bowles. “It’s an app on your phone that you use. Right now, it costs £16, which is about $30.”

She said it’s a small price to pay to avoid being grounded.

“It is at the discretion of the airline whether to allow people to travel.”

Prosser said his family is in the process of applying for their British passports, but he’s worried they’ll miss their trip if they don’t have the necessary documents.

“[My kids] are asking me every day, ‘Are we still going to England? Are we still going to England?’ So you know, hopefully it’s not bad news we have to break,” he said.

Dual citizens may be able to travel with their Canadian passport and an expired U.K. passport so long as it was issued in or after 1989, however, it’s up to the airline’s discretion. The last resort is to renounce U.K. citizenship altogether and travel as a Canadian with an ETA.