Dr. Akhtar Gulfam Editor-in-Chief, Daiy Dawn, Director News Dawn TV
London: The UK Home Office has said that people with British dual citizenship can also use overdue British passports to prove their British citizenship to airlines after the implementation of controversial new immigration laws.
Under the new rules, which will come into effect next Wednesday, anyone entering the UK who has British dual citizenship will have to present a British passport when boarding a plane, ship or train, or attach a ‘Certificate of Entitlement’ obtained for a fee of 589 pounds to their foreign passport.
Airlines and other transport operators could face fines if they carry passengers who do not have the right to enter the country.
The rules have caused stress and anger among British citizens who have travel plans but whose passports have expired or do not have a British passport, including children born abroad.
The Liberal Democrats have called for those affected to be given time to get new passports, as the process can take weeks.
Will Forster, the Liberal Democrat immigration and asylum spokesman, said the changes had left many dual nationals “in a difficult position.”
He said that “until the government sorts out this mess, it should provide an interim period of relief, as many dual nationals are in extremely difficult situations, unable to visit sick family members or attend weddings and funerals.” The government should also urgently provide a less expensive and more affordable alternative to the current system.
It should be noted that people with dual British and Irish citizenship will not be affected by these new rules.
The Home Office said in a statement on Thursday that airlines could accept an “expired British passport as an alternative document at their discretion.” This would be in addition to a foreign passport, which was considered sufficient for entry without the new rules.
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