UK's abrupt passport rule leaves older migrants racing to reunite with family
New UK border rules have left thousands of older migrants and their families scrambling for passports. From February 25, 2023, British citizens—including dual nationals from Australia and New Zealand—must use a British passport or certificate of entitlement to enter the UK. The sudden shift has caused confusion, particularly among those with British ancestry visiting relatives.
The rule change primarily affects two groups: around 1.1 million UK-born Australians, mostly in their late 50s, and an estimated 765,000 New Zealanders with British heritage. Many of these are '£10 Poms'—postwar Brits who emigrated decades ago—now facing urgent paperwork to see elderly parents or grandparents. Parents are also questioning whether their children need British passports, depending on birth circumstances.
New Zealanders are the most likely migrants in the UK to hold dual citizenship, with nearly half (49.2%) carrying both passports. Yet even those with British ancestry can no longer apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and must present a British passport instead. British High Commissioner Iona Thomas cited security as the reason for the change and advised travellers to verify their status online if unsure.
The rushed rollout has added stress for families planning trips. Some fear delays or denied entry, while others struggle to gather documents in time.
The new rules mean British citizens abroad must now rely on passports rather than ETAs for UK visits. With over a million Australians and hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders impacted, the shift has disrupted travel plans and raised concerns about family reunions. Officials urge affected travellers to confirm their eligibility before booking flights.
