New UK entry rules for BOTCs and dual British nationals
The UK has announced new rules on entering the UK. Foreign nationals now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
This is not needed for British or Irish citizens or BOTCs. However, there are some complications for dual British or Irish nationals, and also for BOTCs, that ought to be considered carefully.
If somebody has British or Irish citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country, they will now be required to enter the UK using either a British passport or certificate of entitlement. This is because British citizens cannot obtain an ETA, and so it will not be possible to obtain an ETA when travelling on a foreign passport.
How about BOTCs? There are two distinct cases here:
- Somebody with BOTC and a foreign citizenship, but without British or Irish citizenship;
- Somebody with BOTC and British or Irish citizenship (whether or not also having foreign citizenship)
The Government of Bermuda London Office has released some guidance on this, but I am not completely satisfied as to how well it covers all the bases. So I'll address these cases below...