Cardiff 9‑Year‑Old Stuck Abroad After Being Told He Can’t Return to the UK

A nine‑year‑old boy from Cardiff has been left stranded abroad after his family were told he wasn’t allowed to fly home — despite being born in the UK and living here his whole life.

David Toropu and his mum, Christina, were due to fly back from a family rugby trip to Venice last week. But when they tried to check in for their return flight from Milan on April 2, staff told them David couldn’t board because UK border systems showed no record of him having the right to live in Britain.

Born in Cardiff — but caught out by rule changes

David was born in Cardiff in 2016. His parents are Romanian nationals who moved to the UK before he was born. His dad has settled status and his mum has pre‑settled status.

Christina says she believed David automatically became a British citizen after seven years of continuous residency — something that used to be the case before Brexit.

She said she had no idea she needed to apply for his own immigration status.

Family split across Europe

With David unable to travel, Christina stayed behind with him while her husband and stepson flew home so school and work weren’t disrupted.

They spent two extra nights in Italy before travelling to Romania to stay with family while they try to sort things out.

Christina says the situation has been “terrifying” for her son:

“He heard everything at the airport. He thought they were going to send me back to the UK and leave him behind.”

She says she’s had panic attacks and is worried about missing medical appointments back home. She’s also already spent around £2,000 on hotels, flights and applications.

Why he was refused entry

In February, the UK government introduced a new travel system. Under the changes:

- Dual nationals must show a British passport or  

- A digital certificate of entitlement proving their right of abode  

Without one of these, airlines can refuse boarding.

Previously, people in David’s situation could travel using their non‑UK passport without any issues.

The certificate of entitlement isn’t automatic — and costs £589. A British passport costs around £100.

Christina tried applying for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) at the airport, but because David’s home address is in the UK, officials said it wasn’t valid for someone returning to live here.

MP steps in

David’s MP, Alex Davies‑Jones, says her office is working urgently to help bring him home:

“This is clearly a very distressing experience for both David and his mum. We’re doing everything we can to resolve it quickly.”

Home Office says documentation now granted

A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that the necessary paperwork has now been approved — meaning David should finally be able to return home soon.