ETA for kids of UK citizens?

[Anonymous]

I was on a BA flight yesterday and they were giving a family who was just transiting the UK a very hard time about not having an ETA despite the rule having changed to not require an ETA for transit. So agree that the airline may be more of a problem than UK immigration. Getting an ETA is easy, quick and cheap so better to just do it.

[Anonymous]

There is a literal quiz on the ETA website with yes/no questions that then tells you if you need it or not. But I’m guessing you do.

It’s 16 pounds and takes 5 minutes. It was approved for us immediately. What’s the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a literal quiz on the ETA website with yes/no questions that then tells you if you need it or not. But I’m guessing you do.

It’s 16 pounds and takes 5 minutes. It was approved for us immediately. What’s the problem?

The problem is that UK citizens don't need one and shouldn't get one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a literal quiz on the ETA website with yes/no questions that then tells you if you need it or not. But I’m guessing you do.

It’s 16 pounds and takes 5 minutes. It was approved for us immediately. What’s the problem?

The problem is that UK citizens don't need one and shouldn't get one.

Just because her kids are eligible for citizenship, if they are traveling on US passports it doesn’t sound like she has any way to easily prove they are UK citizens, if they even are. Being eligible and actually being a citizen are not necessarily the same. I’d get the ETA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a literal quiz on the ETA website with yes/no questions that then tells you if you need it or not. But I’m guessing you do.

It’s 16 pounds and takes 5 minutes. It was approved for us immediately. What’s the problem?

The problem is that UK citizens don't need one and shouldn't get one.

Just because her kids are eligible for citizenship, if they are traveling on US passports it doesn’t sound like she has any way to easily prove they are UK citizens, if they even are. Being eligible and actually being a citizen are not necessarily the same. I’d get the ETA.

I'd get advice from the British embassy not DCUM. For many countries, citizenship is automatic, whether or not you've bothered to get a passport.
When you fill out the ETA form, you have to state the country or countries where you are a citizen. The UK is not an option on the ETA form, which is the issue that has been causing dual citizens without a current passport trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a literal quiz on the ETA website with yes/no questions that then tells you if you need it or not. But I’m guessing you do.

It’s 16 pounds and takes 5 minutes. It was approved for us immediately. What’s the problem?

The problem is that UK citizens don't need one and shouldn't get one.

Just because her kids are eligible for citizenship, if they are traveling on US passports it doesn’t sound like she has any way to easily prove they are UK citizens, if they even are. Being eligible and actually being a citizen are not necessarily the same. I’d get the ETA.

I'd get advice from the British embassy not DCUM. For many countries, citizenship is automatic, whether or not you've bothered to get a passport.
When you fill out the ETA form, you have to state the country or countries where you are a citizen. The UK is not an option on the ETA form, which is the issue that has been causing dual citizens without a current passport trouble.

But they HAVE US passports. So you do the ETA and scan your US passport. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Just did it last week.

Or roll the dice and hope the airline lets you board!

[Anonymous]

Why in the world have you not gotten them UK citizenship and passports yet?? There's no tax burden to UK citizenship. I would get it know in case the laws change and it becomes unavailable to them in the future.

[Anonymous]

My advice would be to get the ETA even though it is not correct to do so. That should ensure the airline will let you fly. Once there, British immigration could give you a hard time about it but they will not refuse entry to a British citizen so they will let you all in. But then you need to get their British passports sorted out after you return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to get the ETA even though it is not correct to do so. That should ensure the airline will let you fly. Once there, British immigration could give you a hard time about it but they will not refuse entry to a British citizen so they will let you all in. But then you need to get their British passports sorted out after you return.

The problem is that they would have to lie on the ETA application about being a dual citizen, which could have long term legal implications. My advice would be to ignore your advice, and to ring the embassy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world have you not gotten them UK citizenship and passports yet?? There's no tax burden to UK citizenship. I would get it know in case the laws change and it becomes unavailable to them in the future.

It’s a hassle to get a kid’s first passport when you live overseas. Then it expires after 5 years and you have to renew. You have to get an appointment with the embassy (sometimes they only offer narrow time windows), both parents attend with child, get photos which meet that country’s specs, get someone of same nationality to witness, etc. Then you end up carrying 8 passports instead of 4 for your trip.

OP, if it’s any consolation, renewing kids’ British passports from overseas is super easy now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to get the ETA even though it is not correct to do so. That should ensure the airline will let you fly. Once there, British immigration could give you a hard time about it but they will not refuse entry to a British citizen so they will let you all in. But then you need to get their British passports sorted out after you return.

The problem is that they would have to lie on the ETA application about being a dual citizen, which could have long term legal implications. My advice would be to ignore your advice, and to ring the embassy.

What long term legal implications? The embassy will probably tell them they should have British passports for the children but in reality the timing is now too late for a first child’s passport which has more onerous requirements and it is made in the UK and then shipped to the US. If they arrive at immigration in the UK, they cannot be refused entry if they are British citizens.

ACTUALLY, OP SHOULD TAKE THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES SHOWING BOTH PARENT NAMES AS THIS WILL PROVIDE THE EVIDENCE REQUIRED.

[Anonymous]

Here's a discussion about potential problems for UK citizens who try to get an ETA

https://www.thelocal.com/20250401/confusion-surrounds-eta-visa-waiver-process-for-some-dual-national-brits?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAgFCIbyq3dS0Npgr1eKjPvhnk3y03l00eceqYnPQ6zdu05ehvftAQvVcjG6TG0%3D&gaa_ts=6847332e&gaa_sig=VhSfYMvM_0LUKMMvPRYVHSeJ9ybvXWP3SHNMkE4mNotnTTsN_KroLRkapq5oIqOwgmor8oGpPWBaJDTMUbmxFw%3D%3D

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to get the ETA even though it is not correct to do so. That should ensure the airline will let you fly. Once there, British immigration could give you a hard time about it but they will not refuse entry to a British citizen so they will let you all in. But then you need to get their British passports sorted out after you return.

The problem is that they would have to lie on the ETA application about being a dual citizen, which could have long term legal implications. My advice would be to ignore your advice, and to ring the embassy.

The application does not ask if you are a dual citizen. It asks what is the nationality of the passport or travel document you will be using to travel. Saying "United States" would not be a lie to that question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's a discussion about potential problems for UK citizens who try to get an ETA

https://www.thelocal.com/20250401/confusion-surrounds-eta-visa-waiver-process-for-some-dual-national-brits?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAgFCIbyq3dS0Npgr1eKjPvhnk3y03l00eceqYnPQ6zdu05ehvftAQvVcjG6TG0%3D&gaa_ts=6847332e&gaa_sig=VhSfYMvM_0LUKMMvPRYVHSeJ9ybvXWP3SHNMkE4mNotnTTsN_KroLRkapq5oIqOwgmor8oGpPWBaJDTMUbmxFw%3D%3D

This is exactly why I said they should get the ETAs so airlines will not refuse boarding. This is a huge political sh*tshow and is already affecting a lot of travellers. They will not prosecute over this and will show leniency especially since it is a new requirement that has been poorly implemented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just go across on a rubber raft. No problem.

Yes, because that journey is suuuper easy.. /s