ETA question

"None of these seem to apply for a regular British citizen'

That's because you're supposed to enter the UK using your British passport. I recommend your renew your passport - as a British citizen you don't need an ETA to enter the UK.

I am going there in 8 days. Dont have time to renew.

You are not eligible for an ETA if you’re a dual citizen with British citizenship (or Irish).

You have to present a valid British passport unless your US passport contains a certificate of entitlement to prove you have right of abode in the UK.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens

Marco, as I understand it Certificates of Entitlement are only issued to citizens of Commonwealth countries.

But the link you posted is very helpful- it notes that for dual nationals who have a valid passport for a nationality that cna get an ETA, that "If you do not have a valid document and need to travel soon", that you "should be allowed to board transport to the UK as normal, without an ETA."

Affan6 - it would be a good idea to bring your expired British passport with you in case either the checkin staff or Border Force need to see it. It is worthwhile also showing them the web page Marco had linked to, if required.

The US government is quite strict that if you are a US citizen, regardless of what other passports you hold, you must enter the US on your US passport. I am not sure if the UK government has similar restrictions but I think that is worth looking into, unless you have previously entered the UK on your US passport without any issues.

The UK government has historically not cared what passport dual citizenship people entered on. This has changed over recent years to advising to enter on a British passport & now effectively making it a requirement as a consequence of ETA rules. It isn't clear whether the relaxation for an immediate visit is one during the introductory period or permanent, or indeed whether you can take advantage of this concession more than once. Hopefully airline staff are aware of this.

"unless you have previously entered the UK on your US passport without any issues."

It's not been a problem in the past, but the introduction of the ETA (and evisa system in general) means you really should now use your UK passport.

Thanks for all the feedback. Since my travel is in the next week, I wonder what I should do now. Talking to a live person at the British embassy seems like a hard deal.

Thanks again.

. Talking to a live person at the British embassy seems like a hard deal.

As hard as that may be, it is likely your only source for accurate info on how (if) you can enter without an ETA, in light of your not having a current UK passport.

I suspect using your expired UK passport won't go well with the airline gate and if your US passport doesn't get the 'correct' result when the airline looks at that prior to boarding, probably will leave you going nowhere.

Hope you find a way to communicate with UK embassy/consulate to find a solution or get an expedited emergency renewal of your UK passport.

Let us know how it turns out.

I see the following on GOV.UK page when I searched with EYA for dual citizens (I don't think I can attach screenshot here, I tried but could not). This below section is under a section titled "Electronic travel authorization (ETA): guide for dual citizens".
–------------
If ypu do not have a valid document and need to travel soon

Currently, if you're a British dual citizen with a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an ETA, you should be allowed to board transport to the UK as normal, without an ETA
‐--------------
The above means (?) I came home to UK without ETA and without valid British passport. Am I reading or interpreting it right?

Thanks again.

The word 'should' makes me nervous, as does the phrase "a valid British passport.
The query would be whether an expired passport (especially from 13 years ago) is valid.

It just feels like a grey area, where it will ultimately depend on check in staff, who will err on the cautious side if in doubt.

It's probably too late, but can you change your flights to go through Ireland? You can enter Ireland on your US passport, then for flights from Ireland to the UK, you can use an expired UK passport https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/before-you-leave-for-the-uk

Depending on when your last passport was issued, you may be eligible for an emergency passport https://www.gov.uk/travel-urgently-from-abroad-without-uk-passport

bottom line - talk to the Consulate. Even if you have to wait.

We are actually going to Ireland first. From there, Dublin to Edinburgh (plane), Edinburgh to London (train) and London to Dublin (plane). Finally, Dublin to USA. My passport expired in 2012.

https://www.gov.uk/travel-urgently-from-abroad-without-uk-passport

The key, as I read it, is when your last passport was issued, not when it expired

If you have not had a passport issued on or after 1 January 2006

If you have not had a UK passport that was issued on or after 1 January 2006, you’ll usually need to apply for a UK passport instead of an emergency travel document.

You might be able to get an emergency travel document if all the following apply:

you have, or are eligible for, British nationality
you’re outside the UK
you need to travel within 6 weeks
you have an urgent and unplanned reason to travel due to exceptional circumstances

Are you staying in Ireland for a few days or simply changing planes there?

If the latter I suspect you may have an issue with getting past the gate agent at your departure airport in the US.

At the risk of being annoyingly repetitive, the only way you can get a useful answer is from the UK embassy/consulate.
( however many calls or how long you have to wait on 'hold')

Good luck

We (US passports) flew to the UK a couple weeks ago. We had our ETAs, of course, however we did run into a wrinkle that I had not expected: when checking in for our UK-bound flight in Seattle (American Airlines), the gate agent (who was surly, unfriendly and seemed to hate her job) asked about our ETAs. Yes, we replied, we had them. She then asked for proof. This surprised me, as I clearly recalled that at the successful conclusion of our ETA applications, the ETA website specifically said that we were done, the ETA had been issued, and that we needed no proof of it, because it was electronically tied to our passports. When the American Airlines agent demanded to see proof of our ETA, I replied that the UK website instructed us that no such proof was necessary. Airline agent disagreed (and was pretty rude about it). Not a problem, I dug out my email confirmation on my phone and showed that to the unhappy agent, who appeared to be eager to tell us to go away and pound sand. She seemed disappointed when I showed her the email, then completed our check-in process.

My point being: despite what the UK ETA website says, proof of the ETA was indeed required for check-in, at least from this agent. YMMV, but I would go with the expectation that you are not just going to be waived through with a smile (or with a scowl) if you can't show proof of compliance. Given that your situation is atypical, I would not expect an airline gate agent to let it slide; best to get it well squared away with clear documentation, and no ambiguity or room for interpretation on the part of airline staff.

Good luck.

Go, skip the ETA, take both passports, it just likely means you have to talk to a real person at immigration (hint: a delay) rather than using the automated e-gates.

Your expired passport is not valid, so as the quote you posted, you do not need an ETA. You will not be denied entry.

Just a thought- if you are flying from Ireland to the UK on a stand alone flight you will have to produce a form of identity to check in staff.
Given your age, did you ever exchange your paper driving licence issued around 1990 for a 10 year photocard one after they started in 1999. I'm much older than you and deliberately never did.
A photocard licence will be out of date, but a paper one is valid until 2043 in your case. That should be sufficient to get you into the UK, from Dublin.

Unfortunately, I never had driving license in UK. I was born there when my dad was doing his PhD (I left UK in when I was young) and he got me British passport which I used (I renewed it once in my adult life) to travel until I became a US citizen when I was about 30. Btw, we plan to stay 1 day in Dublin before we fly to Edinburgh.

I talked to two different staff (not sure if they were in the embassy or in UK). One dvised me to get emergency travel document. Later, I realized I cannot get that for ordinary travel since my passport was issued prior to 2006. So, back to square 1 again (or, should I initiate the process anyway?). Upon realizing, I called again and the staff advised to print the page (that I earlier wrote from) and show that to the airline.

Really sorry to keep bugging you guys. Anyway, thanks so much for all the help/advices.

It appears you have a US to Dublin flight and then a day later a separate ticket to fly Dublin to Edinburgh. Correct?

A valid US passport will get you to Dublin.

What the gate agent in Dublin is going to want to see, and accept, so you can board the flight to Edinburgh requires a crystal ball.
( mine is in the shop for warranty work)

A US passport without an ETA associated with it is not likely to work and I would not expect an expired UK passport to do any better.

My view from the cheap seats is this:

a) --get situation resolved with unquestioned documents prior to departure
OR
b) -- be prepared to be stuck in Dublin
OR
c) -- beat what look like daunting odds and somehow successfully make the trip with what you have.

I think Joe is right. You are stuck between a rock and a hard place with no obvious way out.
You could apply for an ETA on a US passport, and forget to mention UK citizenship. Not at all reccomended, as the system will probably detect that lie and reject the application.
You don't qualify for an emergency UK passport, but can't get a new full one without attending a UK passport office for an interview, but you can't get there.

You won't get across the UK border without an ETA.

Do you have your birth certificate?(if not you could get one, but it will take more than 8 days). I assume you still get a nice certificate when you are naturalized over there. I am thinking about you bringing both, also making an appointment at Edinburgh passport office. Bringing all three, and your old UK passport.

You would therefore be proving identity and history and the intent to get a new passport.

Then trusting for a very merciful check in agent twice.

I think it's a very long shot, but am bereft of other ideas.

To me you need a huge dose of lady luck, at least with such short notice.

If you do not have a valid document and need to travel soon
Currently, if you’re a British dual citizen with a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an ETA, you should be allowed to board transport to the UK as normal, without an ETA.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens

Theoretically it seems you should be able board the plane and fly to Edinburgh, assuming the gate agent in Dublin is aware of and interprets the wording in your favor.

If the 3 pages of the link is what the 2nd call to the embassy refers to, then you are stuck with making a judgement call to try to go and hope the Dublin gate agent and Edinburgh Border Force are in a good mood the day you travel.

I shall remain silent as to a recommended course of action and refer you to my previous post addressing the inaccessibility of my crystal ball

Thanks for all the help. I fully agree it may be a big "iffie" but I don't want to ruin the cherished vacation for my family (I am telling them I will stay in Dublin if denied entry while the rest - party of 4 can move on which they obviously they don't want to do). I am thinking I will take a chance and in the worst case scenario. we will stay in Ireland (it will be hugely expensive at this point with all the cancellation and rebooking).
I am thinking another option. How about if we go to Belfast by bus or train and from there we take flight to Edinburg. Will I have better luck in that route than Dublin-Edunburg route? I am reading the not that much structured immigration check on Dublin-Belfast route and hopefully they dont check ETA on Brlfast-Edinburg plane. Any feedback to that?

Rule 7--Do not help people break laws. Speaking of the existence of law breaking is OK. Sharing how to circumvent visa restrictions, scam hotels, or perform other illegal acts is prohibited.

Staying compliant with RS rules and trying to address this....

I am thinking another option. How about if we go to Belfast by bus or train and from there we take flight to Edinburg. Will I have better luck in that route than Dublin-Edunburg route? I am reading the not that much structured immigration check on Dublin-Belfast route and hopefully they dont check ETA on Brlfast-Edinburg plane. Any feedback to that?

....is walking on very thin ice.

Crossing a border without the proper document(s) is unlawful.

If you go by land to Northern Ireland you are entering the UK unlawfully, irrespective of their being an open border.
But you will be asked for identity at either Belfast airport, even though it is a domestic flight, as part of procedure. When you show your US passport it may be automatically detected there is no ETA depending how thorough they are. Potentially you could then be arrested.
Your expired UK passport is not legally photo proof of identity.

Likewise you could route Dublin to Holyhead by ferry then train to Edinburgh. There is no routine Border Force at Holyhead, but random police checks.
They will arrest you with your US passport sans ETA if on duty that day. Using your old UK passport with or without secondary ID as above may or may not work, depending how alike you are to the photo of 23 years ago. It is a very real gamble, with the potential to end in a very sticky way. Ultimately you should get in, but not easily, maybe via a police station to iron It all out.

It is imperative that if you do gain entry you get a new passport.

One other option would be to get an interview at Belfast Passport Office. Take consular advice, but crossing the open border in your circumstances specifically to do that may be OK. Either then pay £222 more for same day (4 hour) issue. Or the fact that you have then applied may be sufficient to get you to Edinburgh.

Here is advice from an Embassy on this matter. It is the one in Paris but the situation is the same. I haven't edited it although it says a lot of what has already been gone through.

ETA: UPDATE FOR DUAL NATIONALS

If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA.

We recommend that all British citizens travel on a valid British passport to avoid unnecessary delays at the border. UK passports can be renewed here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports

As an alternative to travelling with a valid British passport, British dual citizens can evidence their citizenship in another passport by obtaining a certificate of entitlement here: https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode

We recognise that the introduction of the ETA is a substantial change for British dual citizens of ETA eligible nationalities, and they are currently permitted to travel on their non-British passport without an ETA or proof of British nationality while the scheme is being implemented.

In the future, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border. We will make it clear when this change will be enforced.

Hello,

I am in the same situation, we are flying to the UK on August 11th.

My British passport expired November last year. I didn't think to renew it because the ETA has never been an issue before and i thought it would be quicker to sort my passport when I'm there again.

My husband is a British citizen also (although passport is valid) - we also have a 1 year old son who technically should have a British passport also.. but again i had planned to sort all that when we arrived in the country.

Do I need to buy an ETA for both me and my son even though we are British Citizens? - I have my expired passport. We will be travelling on our New Zealand passports. We could bring his birth certificate...

Please let me know how you get on!

In theory, you should be able to travel using your NZ passport, carrying with you your expired British passport. The problem is whether the airline (whose knowledge may be more limited) allows you to board.

Re your child, has he been registered as a British citizen? If so, he should be traveling on a British passport (or travelnon his NZ passport and carry evidenceof registration). If not, you can apply for an ETA for him to travel on his NZ passport.

Sorry, it's a tricky situation. The COE option is not really viable in your timeframe. In my personal experience it takes a few weeks.

Jane, another very hard case. You need to speak with the UK consulate ASAP I think, as we can't give definitive advice. If you went down the Certificate of Entitlement route you would have to be interviewed at Auckland (any weekday), Christchurch (Th and Fr) or Wellington (Tu and We), pay £583, and wait for a decision for up to 3 weeks.
3 weeks you don't have.
As with the previous case one of the first things you need to do is to go to a passport centre for interview for renewal of your and the first passport for your son.

Posted by affan6 OP
07/20/25 09:36 PM
I am going there in 8 days. Don't have time to renew.

So where are you?

Were you able to find a solution?

OK. Just want to give an update. After reading a few OFFICIAL UK govt document, receiving an email from UK ETA office and consulting with a NY British embassy staff, I was fully confident it is not against British law to visit UK with expired British passport and without ETA. HOWEVER, it looked to me British govt, unfortunately, put it (maybe?) on the transport carrier by stating carrier SHOULD NOT (instead of SHALL NOT) deny boarding. I printed all my documents. I also called aer lingus and the agent told me if I received email from British govt they would let me in. l was a little unsure if he gave me a knowledgeable or confident response though). I gave both my US and expired British passport at Dublin airport airline desk. She didn't ask a thing or ask anything about ETA. All went smoothly.

Bottomline (IMO) I would call the airline (or preferably email) asking if they would allow boarding or mot.

Thanks to all who responded/chimed in.