Until recently, New Zealand and Australian passport holders could generally travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland using their NZ or AU passport alone. For many travellers, that is no longer the case – and it may apply to you without you realising it.
Recent changes particularly affect New Zealand and Australian passport holders who are also dual citizens of the UK or Ireland, as well as children who have at least one parent with dual NZ/Australian and UK/Irish citizenship. This can be the case even if the child was born in New Zealand or Australia and has never previously held a UK or Irish passport.
Entry rules in these situations can be complex, and the consequences of getting it wrong are real. In some cases, travellers may be denied boarding at the airport with no reimbursement. This page is designed to help you understand whether these changes may affect you, and to guide you to the official government resources you’ll need to make the right decision for your circumstances.
Who This Applies To
These requirements may apply if you:
- Hold a New Zealand passport and UK or Irish citizenship, or
- Hold an Australian passport and UK or Irish citizenship, or
- Are a child with at least one parent who holds dual NZ/Australian and UK/Irish citizenship.
Even if you don’t use your second passport (or have never had one processed), the UK and Ireland now require many dual citizens to enter using the passport that matches their citizenship status. In practical terms, this means a UK or Irish passport can no longer remain expired in a drawer – it must be valid at the time of travel if it is required for entry, not your Australian or New Zealand one.
What Has Changed
Depending on your citizenship and passport combination, the following changes may now apply:
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for NZ and Australian passport holders travelling to the UK or Ireland
- Dual citizens may not be eligible for ETA or entry using Australian or NZ passport and therefore require entry using a valid U.K or Irish passport
- Children of dual citizens may be subject to different entry requirements
- Some travellers may require an ETA or visa waiver depending on which passport is used
- Certain countries are now enforcing stricter rules around which passport must be presented on entry and exit
Because these rules can vary by destination and individual circumstance, it’s essential to check official guidance before travelling.
How Children Are Affected
These changes are particularly important for families.
- If a child has at least one parent who is a dual NZ/Australian and UK/Irish citizen, their entry requirements may differ from those of standard NZ or Australian passport holders
- Some countries require children with a dual-status parent to enter using a specific passport
- In certain cases, children who do not hold a UK or Irish passport may still need visas or ETAs linked to a parent’s citizenship status
Irish
Children with parents of dual Irish citizenships are automatically a citizen if they or their parent was born on the island of Ireland before 2005. If they or their parent was born in Ireland after 01 January 2005 it can depend on the parents citizenship at the time of the child’s birth and the residency history of one of the parents before the birth. Read more here.
How to Prepare Before You Travel
Before booking or travelling, travellers should:
- Check all passports held and confirm their validity
- Confirm which passport must be presented at check-in, entry and exit
- Apply for any required ETAs or visas well in advance of travel
- Carefully review rules that apply to children of dual-status parents
- Carry supporting documentation where required
Important Disclaimer
We are not a government authority and cannot determine visa, passport or entry requirements on your behalf. We accept no liability for travel decisions made based on this information. Entry requirements can change at any time, and it is essential that you conduct your own research using official government sources before travelling.
This page is intended as a starting point only, helping you access the correct information so you can make informed decisions for your own situation.wn research.
Official Links & Resources
Below are official resources that may assist you:
- Applying for an ETA for entry to the United Kingdom
- Children of British citizens born outside the UK prior to 1983
- Children of British citizens born outside the UK between 1983 and June 2006
- Children of British citizens born outside the UK on or after 1 July 2006
- Checking whether you are automatically a British citizen
- Additional offical immigration and nationality resources
A Final Word
As a general rule, travellers with multiple citizenships should use the passport that provides the most favourable entry conditions — while still complying with the rules of each destination. However, under newer regulations, some travellers can only enter the UK or Ireland using a valid UK or Irish passport. This makes it especially important to confirm requirements well before travel and ensure the correct passport is valid and available at check-in.