Is this an impossible travel situation?
Mar 12th 2026 | 7:43 am
#1
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 29
From: Sedona, Arizona
Is this an impossible travel situation?
My son has lived in the USA since 3-years old and is a dual US and UK citizen. Due to the sudden death of his grandmother, (to whom he was close) last Thursday, he would like to attend her funeral in the UK on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.
He has an old British passport that expired in 2024. Obviously with a funeral a week and a half away, there is not enough time to replace his UK passport.
Previously, this would not have been a problem, as he could enter the UK on his US passport; however, the introduction of the ETA means he cannot apply for one, as his place of birth is the United Kingdom.
We thought that applying for an Emergency Travel Document for a one-way trip into the UK would be one way around this (he would return to the USA on his USA passport, of course), but the website says that it has to be picked up in person at a British Consulate where he would have to hand in his old passport, but the nearest one to him is in Los Angeles. However, he lives in Phoenix and due to work cannot travel to LA and back, and has little time to do so.
There is a consulate in Phoenix but that is not listed as an option.
Is he in an impossible situation in that the introduction of the ETA has made his travel, even on the grounds of bereavement impossible? Any other ways around this?
He has an old British passport that expired in 2024. Obviously with a funeral a week and a half away, there is not enough time to replace his UK passport.
Previously, this would not have been a problem, as he could enter the UK on his US passport; however, the introduction of the ETA means he cannot apply for one, as his place of birth is the United Kingdom.
We thought that applying for an Emergency Travel Document for a one-way trip into the UK would be one way around this (he would return to the USA on his USA passport, of course), but the website says that it has to be picked up in person at a British Consulate where he would have to hand in his old passport, but the nearest one to him is in Los Angeles. However, he lives in Phoenix and due to work cannot travel to LA and back, and has little time to do so.
There is a consulate in Phoenix but that is not listed as an option.
Is he in an impossible situation in that the introduction of the ETA has made his travel, even on the grounds of bereavement impossible? Any other ways around this?
Mar 12th 2026 | 9:05 am
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10,147
From: San Diego, California
Re: Is this an impossible travel situation?
In line with temporary guidance, carriers (such as airlines and ferry companies) may allow you to travel if you have both:
It is the carrier’s decision whether to allow you to travel.
Look like it is possible:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electron...-dual-citizens
- an expired UK passport, issued in 1989 or later
- a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an ETA
It is the carrier’s decision whether to allow you to travel.
Look like it is possible:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electron...-dual-citizens
May 31st 2026 | 7:08 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 112
Re: Is this an impossible travel situation?
My son has lived in the USA since 3-years old and is a dual US and UK citizen. Due to the sudden death of his grandmother, (to whom he was close) last Thursday, he would like to attend her funeral in the UK on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.
He has an old British passport that expired in 2024. Obviously with a funeral a week and a half away, there is not enough time to replace his UK passport.
Previously, this would not have been a problem, as he could enter the UK on his US passport; however, the introduction of the ETA means he cannot apply for one, as his place of birth is the United Kingdom.
We thought that applying for an Emergency Travel Document for a one-way trip into the UK would be one way around this (he would return to the USA on his USA passport, of course), but the website says that it has to be picked up in person at a British Consulate where he would have to hand in his old passport, but the nearest one to him is in Los Angeles. However, he lives in Phoenix and due to work cannot travel to LA and back, and has little time to do so.
There is a consulate in Phoenix but that is not listed as an option.
Is he in an impossible situation in that the introduction of the ETA has made his travel, even on the grounds of bereavement impossible? Any other ways around this?
He has an old British passport that expired in 2024. Obviously with a funeral a week and a half away, there is not enough time to replace his UK passport.
Previously, this would not have been a problem, as he could enter the UK on his US passport; however, the introduction of the ETA means he cannot apply for one, as his place of birth is the United Kingdom.
We thought that applying for an Emergency Travel Document for a one-way trip into the UK would be one way around this (he would return to the USA on his USA passport, of course), but the website says that it has to be picked up in person at a British Consulate where he would have to hand in his old passport, but the nearest one to him is in Los Angeles. However, he lives in Phoenix and due to work cannot travel to LA and back, and has little time to do so.
There is a consulate in Phoenix but that is not listed as an option.
Is he in an impossible situation in that the introduction of the ETA has made his travel, even on the grounds of bereavement impossible? Any other ways around this?
May 31st 2026 | 7:23 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,836
From: Eee Bah Gum
Re: Is this an impossible travel situation?
Given it's a fresh thread and a funeral is involved, I'd be on the phone with the British consulate first thing tomorrow instead of relying on website wording. Dual citizens usually aren't the first people to get caught in weird passport rule messes and bereavement cases sometimes have options that aren't obvious online. Feels like one of those situations where a 10 minute call saves hours of panic.
