Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Starting February 25, 2026, Sierra Leoneans who hold dual British citizenship will face stringent new border regulations when travelling to the United Kingdom. As the UK government fully rolls out its digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, the long-standing practice of “passport switching” will come to an end.
Under the new enforcement measures, dual nationals must explicitly prove their British citizenship before they are even allowed to board a UK-bound flight.
Historically, many dual citizens have travelled using the passport of their second nationality. However, the new digital ETA system requires all foreign visitors to have pre-approved travel permission.
Because British citizens are legally exempt from—and entirely ineligible to apply for—an ETA, they can no longer use a non-UK passport to fly under the radar. If a Sierra Leonean-British dual national attempts to check in for a flight to the UK using only their Sierra Leonean passport, airline systems will flag them as lacking the required ETA, and they will be denied boarding.
To comply with the mandatory pre-departure checks, dual nationals must now present one of two documents at the airport:
A valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode placed inside their valid Sierra Leonean passport.
The Home Office has confirmed that older forms of physical proof, such as outdated Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) ink stamps or paper citizenship certificates, will not be accepted by carriers for boarding purposes.
For many in the Sierra Leonean community, the shift brings complex financial choices.
While renewing a standard British passport costs approximately £94.50, those who prefer to travel exclusively on their Sierra Leonean passport (often to avoid visa fees when entering Sierra Leone) must apply for a Certificate of Entitlement. This certificate currently carries a hefty fee of £589. Families with multiple dual-national children face particularly high costs to ensure all members are travel-ready.
Airlines and other travel carriers are legally required to verify this documentation digitally before departure. Because carriers face severe financial penalties for transporting undocumented passengers, there will be no room for discretion at the check-in desk. Travellers without a valid British passport or a £589 Certificate of Entitlement will simply be turned away.
Dual nationals are strongly advised to audit their family’s travel documents immediately. If your British passport has expired, initiate the renewal process well in advance of any planned trips to avoid being stranded overseas, facing expensive flight rerouting, or enduring delays at the border.
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