Right of abode: digital certificate and passport sticker
Right of abode: digital certificate and passport sticker
Everything you need to know about the change
Understanding your right of abode status
A digital Certificate of Entitlement is an online record of your right of abode in the UK. It’s for people who travel on a non-British passport.
It's not a visa, and it doesn’t expire. If you already have a valid sticker in your passport, you can keep using it until that passport expires. If you are using a digital certificate, check that the passport you will travel with is linked to your UKVI account.
In this article:
- What is a Certificate of Entitlement?
- What changed on 26 February 2026?
- Already have a sticker in your passport?
- Access your digital certificate
- Do you need an ETA?
- Before you travel
- Fees and processing times
- Frequently asked questions
What is a Certificate of Entitlement?
A Certificate of Entitlement is official proof that you have the right of abode in the UK. Right of abode means you can live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions.
You do not need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if you have right of abode.
You can apply for a certificate if you are:
- a British citizen travelling on a foreign passport
- a Commonwealth citizen who has the right of abode
Do not apply if you have a valid British passport or a valid Certificate of Entitlement sticker in a foreign passport. Irish citizens can use a valid Irish passport.
What changed on 26 February 2026?
From 26 February 2026, Certificates of Entitlement are issued through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and linked to you, rather than to a specific passport.
If you had a valid sticker by that date, it remains valid until the passport expires. UKVI will also create a free online record for you, accessible through your UKVI account.
Already have a sticker in your passport?
You do not need to start again. You can either:
- keep using the valid sticker until the passport expires
- set up or sign in to your UKVI account to access the digital version
Once you have a digital certificate, you will not need to pay for a new one when your passport expires. You will only need to add the new passport to your UKVI account.
If the passport containing your sticker expired before 26 February 2026, you will need to make a new application.
Access your digital certificate
1. Check whether you already have a UKVI account. Do not create another one if you do.
2. Set up a UKVI account if you have never had one.
3. Follow the UKVI instructions to link the account to your digital certificate.
4. Check that the passport you will use is linked to the account.
5. Update the account if your passport or personal details have changed.
A biometric passport with unchanged personal details can normally be added straight away. A name change or a passport from another nationality may take a few days.
Do you need an ETA – Electronic Travel Authorisation?
No. You don’t need an ETA if you have right of abode.
To travel using your right of abode, use one of the following:
- a valid British passport
- a valid Irish passport, if you are an Irish citizen
- another valid passport with a valid Certificate of Entitlement sticker
- another valid passport linked to your digital Certificate of Entitlement
Before you travel
- Check that the passport you will use is valid.
- Make sure it is linked to your UKVI account.
- Check that your name and passport details are correct.
- Use the same details for your booking and your UKVI account.
- If you’re using a valid sticker, travel with the passport containing it. Valid stickers remain accepted until the passport expires.
If your airline can’t confirm your digital status, ask the airline to contact the UK Border Force carrier support hub.
Fees and processing times*
Service | Fee | Wait time from |
|---|---|---|
New Certificate of Entitlement application | £589 | UK: within 8 weeks. Overseas: usually within 3 weeks of your appointment |
Change a valid sticker to a digital certificate | Free | No fixed processing time is published |
Update a biometric passport with no change to personal details | Free | Normally straight away |
Update a name or add a passport from another nationality | Free | May take a few days |
*Fees and processing times can change. Check GOV.UK before applying or booking travel around an application.