Travellers heading down under may have to battle red tape after Australian immigration authorities ended speedy electronic visas for Bermudians with British ties.

Residents with right-of-abode in the UK had been able to get electronic visas cleared within minutes by airlines.

Monday's ruling has withdrawn this privilege meaning Oz-bound tourists will have to spend hours queuing at embassies or go through a visa service.

British Airway's Bermuda General Manager Philip Troake said the change had been sparked after a sports club here had made inquiries about a trip to Australia in January.

He said thousands of residents were potentially affected by the ruling. He said: "We have been advised by the Australian Immigration Service in Canberra that the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) cannot be issued to holders of passports issued by the Government of Bermuda.

"After requesting further clarification, we were further advised the restriction holds, irrespective of the national status of the holder.

"In other words, British citizens with right-of-abode in the UK do not qualify for ETA issuance if they hold a Bermuda passport.

"Bermuda passport holders are required to apply for a regular visa through an Australian embassy or consulate.'' Mr. Troak said: "It had been a grey area.

"In most countries if you are a British citizen, irrespective of who issued it, your passport is counted as a UK passport.'' "This is a problem for people used to getting to Australia without getting a full visa. It was painless before -- you just took your tickets to the airline.'' Mr. Troake advised travellers hit by the ruling to check with their travel agent to see if they had a visa service.

He added: "And check with the airlines -- normally they will tell you what you need.'' Those who wanted to sort the visa out themselves face further hurdles. He said: "There is no Australian embassy or consulate in Bermuda so you will probably have to go to New York and queue there.''