UK government quietly updates passport rules for dual citizens \u2014 again<\/a><\/p>\nTravellers with both an expired UK passport, issued in 1989 or later, as well as a valid passport from a country that can issue an Electronic Travel Authorisation may now be allowed to enter the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said the changes were designed to “modernise” and secure the border, and that travellers had been warned.<\/p>\n
Mr Tapp said the changes were not for monetary gain.<\/p>\n
“It’s not a cash grab,” he said.<\/p>\n
“This is the same as the Aussie border, the United States as well, and we’re modernising and making it more secure.”<\/p>\n
But dual nationals face significant costs if they do not already hold the required documentation.<\/p>\n
A British passport for a UK trip costs roughly $190, a Certificate of Entitlement to prove the right of abode is about $1,100\u202f, and renouncing British citizenship to avoid the requirement can cost around $970.<\/p>\n
‘An absolute disgrace’<\/p>\n
The ABC has been contacted by hundreds of frustrated travellers in the lead-up to the changes coming into effect, voicing concerns about the lack of communication.<\/p>\n
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The UK Home Office says carriers can “at their own discretion” accept an “expired British passport as an alternative document” as well as a valid passport. (ABC News: Billy Cooper)<\/p>\n
Brisbane man Anthony Arden was one of them. He feared he would miss his mother’s funeral in the UK next week because of the new border regulations.<\/p>\n
Mr Arden, who was born in England but has been living in Australia for nearly two decades, said his mother, Patricia Arden, passed away in the UK just over a week ago.<\/p>\n
“She was surrounded by family, except for me,” Mr Arden said.<\/p>\n
He sent his expired British passport to the UK for renewal on learning of the new border rules last month, but is yet to receive it back.<\/p>\n
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The changes to UK passport rules have caused confusion and frustration among travellers.\u00a0 (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)<\/p>\n
He said when his mother died, he immediately contacted the passport advice line and was directed to apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD), typically issued to allow urgent travel.<\/p>\n
However, he said the initial application process required a copy of his British passport, which was already in the UK for renewal.<\/p>\n
“I was on the phone for four hours,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I was on web chats as well. Nothing happened.”<\/p>\n
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Anthony Arden’s mother passed away recently, forcing him to apply for emergency travel documents.\u00a0 (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)<\/p>\n
Mr Arden said he contacted the British consulate in Brisbane and the High Commission in Canberra but struggled to get clarity about his options.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, he was finally granted permission to enter the United Kingdom under an ETD and booked flights to England to attend his mother’s funeral, at a cost of $4,000.<\/p>\n
“The whole thing has been an absolute disgrace,” Mr Arden said.<\/p>\n
“It’s hard enough losing your mother, but to have this on top is appalling.”<\/p>\n
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Anthony Arden says the process of securing travel documents has been confusing and stressful.\u00a0 (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)<\/p>\n
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