‘Automatic Citizenship’: Children Of GB-NZ Parents Need UK Passports To Fly To Britain

Gill
Bonnett, Immigration
Reporter

• High Commission offers more
  information to NZ-based Brits on rules for their
  children
• UK migrants report on
  passport processing times
• Emergency
  passports are possible, but have
  conditions

British citizens living in
New Zealand will have to get UK passports for their children
before they can fly there – as they are automatically
citizens, authorities say.

The British High Commission
has provided more information to dual-national
travellers, who have said they were blindsided by new
rules around travelling back to the UK. Similar rules will
also come into force for Irish New Zealanders.

In a
month’s time, anyone classed as a British citizen will need
a UK passport to fly there – but citizenship status rules
are complex.

Likely to add to travellers’ worries, the
Wellington-based High Commission has also said it cannot
provide timeframes for how long passport processing
takes.

For families due to travel soon, many are
learning for the first time that automatic citizenship for
their children – considered a positive in the recent past
because of access to visa-free travel in the EU, and long
trips to Britain – now means getting passports urgently or
risk not being able to fly.

“For those who are already
British citizens automatically, for example through birth or
descent, but who have never applied for a passport, the
requirement is the same,” said the High Commission. “If they
are British citizens, they cannot use an ETA and will need a
British passport (or Certificate of Entitlement) to travel
to the UK from 25 February 2026.”

It has advised
anyone unsure about their citizenship to check
online.

“For those who are already British
citizens automatically, for example through birth or
descent, but who have never applied for a passport, the
requirement is the same,” a spokesperson said in a written
statement.

“They are not eligible for an ETA as they
are not classed as visitors and already have an automatic
right of entry to the UK. That right must be evidenced by
travelling on a British or Irish passport, or on another
passport with a Certificate of Entitlement. This applies
regardless of the length or purpose of travel.

“There
is no alternative mechanism within the ETA system for
British or Irish citizens, including dual nationals, because
the ETA is designed specifically for people who require
permission to enter the UK, rather than those who already
have a right of entry.”

Passport delivery
times

Anyone who has had a British passport or is
entitled to have one and plans to travel to the UK should
apply as early as possible, the spokesperson
said.

“Processing times for UK passports from New
Zealand can vary depending on application type and demand,
and there is no guaranteed expedited timeframe for overseas
applications.”

British dual citizens told RNZ they
have applied and found the expense unpalatable, but the
service times efficient.

One woman sent away for two
passports on 15 January.

“Just a little bit of info
that might ease some very stressed travellers around the new
UK passport requirements,” she said. She and her husband
both had UK passports – and his had expired.

She was
told on Tuesday that her forms had arrived in the UK, and on
Friday that they were issued and being sent back – that part
could take three weeks, she added.

“If it does take
that long, it means we will have received passports in four
weeks from application. So this gives people time if their
travel is in six weeks.”

Others reported delays – not
in passport issuing, but mailing.

“Not helped by NZ
Post!” one man reported. “Passport docs couriered from
Parnell at 10.54am 15 Jan at cost of $62. Left Auckland
8.34am 20 Jan!! Still no sign of arrival in the
UK.”

Sending NZ passports, emergency
passports

Some were desperate at the unforeseen
obstacle of needing a new passport so quickly, when they had
planned to fly to the UK with their New Zealand
passport.

“We haven’t been able to take our family
home in 10 years, and will not be able to get a passport for
kids before then, and cannot afford to rebook for a very
long time,” said one woman, who has flights booked in six
weeks’ time.

“I cannot get hold of anyone from the
embassy and at a loss as what to do.”

Internal
Affairs stresses that information suggesting the UK
Passport Office can cancel a New Zealand passport – sent to
it as part of verification for a new British passport – is
incorrect.

“The UK Passport Office has no power to
cancel a NZ passport. Only the New Zealand Minister of
Internal Affairs has authority to recall New Zealand
passports.”

UK government websites detail how its
embassies can issue emergency passports, and under what
circumstances. That, too, has some potential
caveats.

“If you have not had a passport issued on or
after 1 January 2006, you’ll usually need to apply for a UK
passport instead of an emergency travel document,” it says.
Not every country will accept a traveller who is using an
emergency passport.”

There are exceptional
circumstances cited, for when an emergency passport could
nonetheless be issued.

You can apply
online and find out more.

“An emergency travel
document lets you travel from abroad if you need to travel
urgently and cannot use your UK passport,” it says. “It is
usually only valid for one single or return journey. You can
travel through a maximum of five countries.”

You can
apply for an emergency travel document if all the following
apply:

• You’re a British national;
• You’re
  outside the UK;
• You need to travel within six
  weeks;
• Your UK passport has been lost, stolen,
  damaged, is full, has recently expired or is with HM
  Passport Office or a foreign embassy;
• You cannot
  renew or replace your UK passport from abroad before you
  travel;
• You have had a valid UK passport that was
  issued on or after 1 January 2006.

The exceptional
circumstances listed include a close relative’s funeral
or urgent medical
treatment.

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