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If you’re planning travel to the United Kingdom, there are important changes coming that could impact your trip, especially if you hold dual citizenship or may be entitled to British citizenship through family.
From 25 February 2026, the UK will introduce stricter passport requirements for travellers entering the country, alongside the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.
From 25 February 2026, travellers who are considered British or Irish citizens will need to enter the UK using the correct passport.
This means that if you are a New Zealand citizen and also a British or Irish citizen, you will not be able to travel to the UK using your New Zealand passport alone.
Instead, you must travel with:
If you already hold a Certificate of Entitlement, this will be linked to new passports free of charge and will be recorded digitally rather than as a physical sticker.
If you arrive at the airport without the correct passport documentation, airlines may refuse boarding.
If you are travelling to the UK as a visitor and you are not a British or Irish citizen, you will need to apply for a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before departure.
The ETA is a digital travel authorisation linked to your passport and is required for many visa-free travellers entering the UK. It’s simple and only takes about 10 minutes.
The easiest way to apply is to download the UK ETA app on android or from the App Store.
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If you hold dual citizenship, you will need to travel on your British or Irish passport, even if you normally travel on your NZ passport.
Important: dual citizens cannot use an ETA on their NZ passport to enter the UK after 25 February 2026.
This is where many travellers may be caught out.
Even if you were born in New Zealand and have never lived in or travelled to the UK, you may still be considered a British citizen by descent if one of your parents is British.
If you are classed as a British citizen, the UK may require you to:
So if you have a British parent, don’t assume you can simply apply for an ETA and travel on your NZ passport. You may be required to apply for a British passport instead.
If you're unsure, it’s strongly recommended you check your citizenship status well before booking travel.
Passport processing times can take longer than expected, especially during peak travel seasons. If you think you may be eligible for British citizenship or already hold dual nationality, it’s best to confirm this early to avoid last-minute stress.
The information above is provided as general guidance only. Entry, passport and citizenship requirements are set by the UK Government and may change without notice. Travellers are responsible for confirming their individual eligibility and documentation requirements with the relevant government authorities prior to travel.
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