ETAs for British Citizens without UK passport

Hello! I became a British citizen last year but never got my UK passport - it made me nervous to not be able to travel while it was being processed. I’ve left and returned to the UK many times since without issue.

BUT, a week ago I was returning and was asked for my ETA for the first time. I said that I did not need one as I am a British citizen. Of course, they asked for my UK passport and when I said I didn’t have one they said this would be my “last warning”. The problem is, I have two more trips abroad planned in less than 2 weeks, so I can’t get my passport before then.

Will I be okay? I’m assuming the final warning was an empty threat. I did tell her I’d brought my certificate of naturalisation but she didn’t ask to see it. Can they really not let me back into the UK? Should I get an ETA or will that cause more trouble?

Feeling silly for not getting my passport months ago!

I've never felt an "Empty Threat" vibe from the border guards.  In my experience, they have a database of everything , including threats, and use it. 

I've never felt an "Empty Threat" vibe from the border guards.  In my experience, they have a database of everything , including threats, and use it.

I have to agree with Jimbo, I wouldn’t count on it being empty threat. When I came over to visit and propose to my now wife, they were VERY serious.


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I've never felt an "Empty Threat" vibe from the border guards.  In my experience, they have a database of everything , including threats, and use it. 

Thank you! I can never understand why they keep a database of these things but not a database of who is a citizen. Maybe I should get the ETA to be safe but I still worry that will somehow get me in more trouble (for getting an ETA not meant for citizens).

Maybe I should get the ETA to be safe but I still worry that will somehow get me in more trouble (for getting an ETA not meant for citizens).

You can't have an ETA as you are a British Citizen.

An ETA is permission to travel to the UK e.g it shows the airline that you can board their plane to the UK. As a British Citizen, your British Citizen passport is permission (from the UK government) to board.

"We recommend that all British citizens travel on a valid British passport to avoid unnecessary delays at the border.
...
In the future, British dual citizens who do not possess a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement may encounter difficulties at the point of boarding or at the UK border. It is advised that passengers in this position begin to make the necessary arrangements now, to avoid such complications at a later date."

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-factsheet-april-2025/

You can't have an ETA as you are a British Citizen.

An ETA is permission to travel to the UK e.g it shows the airline that you can board their plane to the UK. As a British Citizen, your British Citizen passport is permission (from the UK government) to board.

Thank you for the response -  the problem is I don’t have a British passport and I leave in 10 days. I suppose I’ll have to hope for the best.

"We recommend that all British citizens travel on a valid British passport to avoid unnecessary delays at the border.
...
In the future, British dual citizens who do not possess a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement may encounter difficulties at the point of boarding or at the UK border. It is advised that passengers in this position begin to make the necessary arrangements now, to avoid such complications at a later date."

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-factsheet-april-2025/ [nofollow]

Thank you -  I wonder if a certificate of entitlement is the same as my Certificate of Naturalisation. The recent border agent said that it was good that I’d brought that but didn’t ask to see it.

Thank you -  I wonder if a certificate of entitlement is the same as my Certificate of Naturalisation. The recent border agent said that it was good that I’d brought that but didn’t ask to see it.

https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode/apply-for-a-certificate-of-entitlement

It looks expensive and takes a couple of months. I didn't read thoroughly - there may be an option for you that I didn't see. It also mentions that it's to be placed IN your passport, so it may be a moot option.

Good luck!

Thank you! I can never understand why they keep a database of these things but not a database of who is a citizen.

   I've come into the UK without my UK passport and the border guard told me it's really easy for them to tell if you are a citizen or not.  I assumed it was because they do have a database of who is a citizen or not.   That's really just a guess though.