Dual Canadian British citizens are facing a new set of passport rules that have left them scrambling and confused. The sudden change, announced quietly in the fall, has caught many off-guard and left them frustrated by the new entry requirements. Sarah Byron, a dual British Canadian citizen, is one of those affected. She is shocked to learn that her Canadian passport will soon be useless to enter the United Kingdom. Under new U.K. rules, all citizens must now use a British or Irish passport to enter the country. This change has left many dual nationals in a difficult position, as they now face two costly options: obtaining a certificate of entitlement or renouncing their citizenship. The new passport rules are linked to the recent rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement to enter the U.K., which brings the country in line with similar entry systems in the U.S. and Canada. Some U.K. MPs are calling for a grace period and warning that 'haphazard communication' could leave some travellers stranded abroad. The British Home Office has stated that airlines could, 'at their own discretion,' accept an expired passport as an alternative document, but this won't help those who have recently applied for a British passport and sent their expired one away as part of the process. This change has left many dual nationals feeling unwelcome by the country they grew up in. The new rules have sparked controversy, with some arguing that they are discriminatory, as some countries require women to keep their maiden name after marriage. Several dual citizens who spoke with CBC News said different surnames or middle names are also creating complications. The British High Commissioner to Canada, Rob Tinline, said the change is part of a transition to a digital immigration system that enhances border security. He encourages people to check the advice on the U.K. government website to determine the correct documentation they need to enter the country. This sudden change has left many dual Canadian British citizens with upcoming travel scrambling to renew or apply for U.K. passports. Some are facing complications due to different surnames or middle names, while others are unsure about the new rules and their impact. The situation is particularly challenging for those who have recently applied for a British passport and are now faced with the prospect of being denied entry without a U.K. passport or certificate of entitlement.
