Frustrated Aussies caught out by new British and Irish passport rules say they feel held to ransom and left in limbo, with travellers set to miss out on visiting sick loved ones, 100th birthdays and business trips as the true extent of disruption emerges in the lead up to changes.
From February 25, citizens of these countries will be required to enter the UK using a valid British or irish passport or a certificate of entitlement (COE), including those who are a citizen by birth through a British or Irish-born parent.
All options are costly and take time, with requests for assistance in applying for UK passports surging, according to a migration agent who spoke with the ABC.
John Fenlon was born in Ireland and his wife was born in england, but they have lived on the south coast of New South Wales for 30 years.
The couple and their daughter were due to celebrate his motherS 100th birthday in England in March when they read a news article about the changes.
“we booked back in August with a side trip to Malaysia for a week,but just a few days ago we saw an article and realised we’d be caught up in the sting,” Mr Fenlon said.
“We thought we’d get a new passport, but because our passports are so old, we have to go through the whole management process and they’re quoting eight plus weeks, which puts us right on the borderline between now and when we’re due to fly.”
Chris from Queensland planned to take his wife and young daughters to visit his sick and elderly father in March.
“Last night, I had to tell my 82-year-old dad with cancer that we won’t be able to come see him in 11 weeks’ time and our daughters that we won’t be coming to Paris Disney,” he said.
“the whole point was for them to see him before he passed.”
Chris was born in the UK and has a current British passport.
But his wife let hers and their eldest daughter’s UK passports lapse a few years ago.
His daughters hold dual citizenship due to their parents being born in the UK.
The couple attempted to get British passports for their daughters in 2020, but due to COVID-19 complications, their original documents, including his British birth certificate, were lost by the British passport office.
He said this made the process of getting a COE for his daughters intricate, as it was unclear what documentation was needed or how to replace lost documents.
He said he would not know what was required without paying and committing to the process first.
chris has the option to rescind his citizenship, but cannot do so on his daughters’ behalf.
The British government’s Home Office website says a person cannot renounce their citizenship until they are 18 years old.
When Chris went looking for answers, he said he found it impossible to speak directly to a person.
“I tried all avenues yesterday, calling the passport office in the UK, they keep referring to “dot gov” pages. I tried calling the UK immigration department, I emailed a minister,” he said.
“you literally cannot speak to anyone. You’re just in a process that is non-negotiable.
“There’s no compassion or humanity that’s been considered in this.“
British-born Australian passport holder Rosie Workman is due to travel to the UK with her son James Ireland and his family in less then six weeks – Mr Ireland to attend his best friend’s wedding,Ms Workman to visit family and help babysit.
UK Imposes Border restrictions Based on Infection status
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recent changes to UK border policy are preventing individuals with certain infections from entering the country, a situation described by some as reminiscent of COVID-19 travel restrictions. The policy has reportedly caught travelers unaware, leading to denied boarding and unexpected disruptions.
UK Border Control and Health Regulations
The UK government has implemented border measures related to public health, allowing for the denial of entry to individuals deemed to pose a public health risk. These measures are outlined in guidance published by the UK government regarding immigration and border control in relation to coronavirus and other infectious diseases. the current regulations allow border officials to refuse entry based on perceived health risks,even without prior notification of specific restrictions.
As of January 16, 2026, the specific infections triggering these restrictions have not been publicly detailed by the UK Home Office, contributing to traveler confusion. The ABC has requested clarification from the Home Office.
For example, a traveler reported being denied boarding after being informed they were carrying an infection that triggered the new border rules, despite having no prior knowledge of the restriction. This individual stated they would have been unable to travel even if they had known,due to a sick family member.
UK Home Office
The UK Home Office is the government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. It is responsible for setting and enforcing border control policies, including those related to public health. The Home Office has been contacted for comment regarding the specifics of the new border restrictions.
On January 16, 2026, a spokesperson for the Home Office stated they were reviewing the concerns raised and would provide a detailed response shortly. No further details was available at the time of this report.
National Health Service (NHS) and Infection Control
The NHS plays a crucial role in identifying and managing infectious diseases within the UK. While the NHS does not directly control border policies, its data and guidance inform government decisions regarding public health measures. The NHS provides information on various infectious diseases and preventative measures, but does not publish a list of infections that would trigger border denials.
according to NHS data released on December 31, 2025, reported cases of influenza A increased by 25% in the last month, potentially influencing the government’s decision to strengthen border controls. However, it is currently unclear if influenza A is one of the infections triggering the new restrictions.
Disclaimer: This information is based on reports as of January 16, 2026, and is subject to change. Travelers are advised to check the latest UK government guidance before traveling.
