Alistair Hamilton, who was born and educated in England before moving to Australia, had arranged to travel next month with his wife and children to visit relatives in London. The trip was intended to bring together cousins, aunts and uncles for the first time in years.
However, changes to UK entry requirements taking effect this week mean that British dual nationals, including children, must now hold a valid British passport to enter the country.
Hamilton’s four children, aged ten, eight, five and three, automatically hold dual British citizenship through their father, despite never having lived in the UK. Under the updated rules, citizenship alone is no longer sufficient for entry.
The alternative option is to apply for certificates of entitlement, costing £589 per child. With the trip scheduled for next month, the family says there is not enough time to complete the process, which would require sending passports for processing.
By contrast, Hamilton’s wife, who was born in El Salvador, was able to obtain an electronic travel authorisation for £16 within minutes, allowing her to travel to the UK without difficulty.
The couple, both doctors, are now trying to rearrange their plans and may travel to Italy instead. Hamilton described the situation as heartbreaking, saying the children had been excitedly preparing for the visit and learning about London through books and gifts sent by relatives.
He said he is dreading telling them that the trip will not go ahead, adding that the cancellation has disrupted weeks of anticipated family time.
The family is among several British citizens living abroad who say the new system has caused confusion, unexpected costs and anxiety.
The UK government has stated that it has been communicating the changes since October 2024, though critics argue that public messaging focused mainly on foreign travellers rather than dual nationals.
The update has also affected families living within the UK. In one case, a former government communications employee who relocated to Australia said she only discovered her baby would require a British passport after reading about the rule change. She has since applied for the necessary documentation and described the process as costly and complicated.
Some dual nationals who travel frequently for work have also expressed concern, saying they were unaware that a British passport would now be required for re entry if travelling internationally.
Critics argue that the changes may place additional strain on families, particularly those living overseas, while supporters say the reforms are intended to strengthen border controls and ensure consistent entry procedures.
Families affected by the new rules are calling for clearer guidance and possible transitional arrangements to reduce disruption.
For now, many say they are left facing difficult conversations with their children and uncertainty over future travel plans.
