British-Danish Couple Confronts Potential Family Separation at Copenhagen Airport
A British-Danish family is facing a distressing situation that could lead to separation at Copenhagen airport, stemming from newly implemented UK passport regulations for dual nationals. James Scrivens, a British citizen, and his wife Sara, a Danish national residing in Wales, discovered the rule changes while on a half-term holiday visiting relatives in Norway and Denmark.
New Rules Pose Immediate Threat to Travel Plans
Under the updated Home Office guidelines, dual nationals risk being denied boarding if they cannot present a British passport, whether current or expired, or a "certificate of entitlement" costing £589 attached to their second nationality's passport. This requirement aims to verify their right to enter the United Kingdom. The Scrivens' children, aged eight and twelve, were born in the UK and are British citizens by birth but currently hold only Danish passports.
James Scrivens expressed his frustration, stating, "At no stage were we directly informed that this change would have such immediate consequences for British-born children travelling on a non-UK passport. There has been no targeted communication to families in our position. I only learned about it by chance through social media." The family now fears that when they attempt to return to Wales, their children may be barred from boarding the flight, potentially forcing the parents to leave them with grandparents while they apply for British passports.
Political Backlash and Calls for Government Action
The case has sparked significant political concern. Scrivens contacted his MP, Ann Davies of Plaid Cymru, who described the government's communication as "disastrous" and pledged to raise the issue urgently with the Home Office. Davies emphasized, "I urge the government to act swiftly to prevent other families from experiencing the same hardship faced by Mr Scrivens and his family."
During parliamentary debates, migration minister Mike Tapp defended the Home Office's approach, claiming that information had been available on government websites since 2024 and that significant funds were allocated for dissemination. He argued, "These measures are making our border more secure and they are very much in line with what other nations are doing." However, critics like Liberal Democrat MP Manuela Perteghella countered that merely posting guidance online does not constitute an effective communication strategy.
Perteghella highlighted Canada's handling of a similar scheme, which included a delayed enforcement period and low-cost temporary authorizations for unaware dual nationals. She questioned, "It worked. Why has the government refused to adopt the same commonsense approach?" Conservative MP David Davis also advocated for a grace period, citing cases like a 91-year-old constituent whose daughter from the Netherlands cannot visit due to passport processing delays.
Broader Implications for Dual Nationals Worldwide
This incident underscores the human cost of policy changes affecting dual citizens globally. The Scrivens family's ordeal illustrates how inadequate communication can lead to real-world crises, separating families and causing undue stress. As the debate continues, many are calling for more transparent and compassionate implementation of border security measures to avoid further distress among affected individuals.
