Going to the UK? Do you need a British/Irish passport?

✈️ Important Update: New UK Passport Requirements from 25 February 2026

Planning a trip to the United Kingdom? There’s an important change to be aware of that could affect how you travel, especially if you hold dual nationality.

From 25 February 2026, the UK is introducing a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for visa-free visitors (similar to New Zealand’s NZeTA). Most travellers, including New Zealand passport holders, will need to apply for an ETA before departure to enter the UK as a visitor.

However, if you are a dual national — for example, a New Zealand citizen and a British or Irish citizen, the rules are changing in a specific way:
➡️ You cannot use an ETA to travel to the UK.
➡️ Instead, you must travel on one of the following documents:

• a valid British passport,

• a valid Irish passport, or

• another passport with a Certificate of Entitlement

This means that if you hold British or Irish citizenship, you won’t be allowed to board a flight to the UK using just a New Zealand passport after 25 February 2026 unless you have one of the approved documents above.

🗺️ Travelling before this date? If your trip is before 25 February 2026, and you hold a passport from a visa-free country, you can still use that passport for travel as long as it’s valid for your trip.

📌 Tip: Passport applications, especially for British passports can take several weeks, so if you think this applies to you or your family, it’s best to start the process early.

Need help checking your status or documentation? Contact us — we’re here to make sure you travel with confidence!

📊 Take a look below at this helpful graphic to see at a glance whether you’ll need a British passport or an ETA, it’s a quick way to check what may apply to you, but we still suggest discussing it with us prior to booking any flights.