New passport rules coming into force next week ‘will see Brit parents forking out a fortune to bring their children born abroad back to the UK’

New passport rules could see British children born abroad refused entry to the UK unless their parents pay a fortune.

For the first time, dual nationals, including children and babies, will have to produce a passport or pay a ‘certificate of rights’ of £589 to board a flight, ferry or train to the UK.

The rules came into force as early as February 25, sparking a backlash from Brits abroad who were caught off guard by the change in border controls.

New Home Office rules mean a British couple’s 10-month-old baby could be ‘turned back across the border’ when he sets off for New Zealand in two weeks.

her grandmother told Times: ‘We sent an application with all the required documents but received a reply saying “You also need to send the New Zealand passport”.

‘We won’t do that because then he definitely won’t be able to travel without his passport.’

The family tried to reach the Ministry of Internal Affairs but ‘they do not have lines to deal with this matter’.

The grandmother added that they also went to the High Commission in New Zealand but were “told to leave” as they “weren’t interested in it”.

Brits fear they will be ‘stranded’ when new rules come into force next week

Rebecca Witham lives in France with her son, who only has a French passport.

He fears the new rules could prevent families from visiting the UK, describing it as “discrimination” that will “affect millions of British citizens” with dual nationality.

Ms Witham added that the additional cost of £589 per person meant families could no longer visit the UK, where they are ‘legal citizens’.

James, a British-Italian born and educated in London, had booked a flight leaving on Friday for a business trip to New York last week, but now fears he could be stranded having returned after the new rules came into force.

He has never had a British passport, but was previously able to travel freely with an Italian passport due to his job.

James said Guard: ‘I found myself having to travel for a short period of time and now I am faced with the idea that I may not be allowed back into the country.’

Asked if he would pay the higher fee of £589, he said a weeks-long backlog had made it impossible to get a warrant before Friday.

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘From 25 February 2026 all dual British nationals will need to produce a valid British passport or authorization to avoid delays at the border.’

Officials said the move was part of a program to offer a ‘seamless travel experience’, adding that the rules would give the Government ‘more power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and give us a more comprehensive picture of migration’.

It comes after Sir Jim Ratcliffe said last week that Britain was ‘colonised by immigrants’.

The billionaire Manchester United co-owner claimed in an interview with Sky News that Britain’s population has increased by 12 million in six years, from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million today.

He was forced to apologize for his comments, with the Prime Minister saying his comments were ‘offensive and wrong’.

Sir Jim walked back his remarks and said he was “sorry that my choice of language offended some people in the UK and Europe”.

Earlier this month it was revealed that under Sir Keir Starmer the total number of small boat migrants arriving in the UK has exceeded 66,000.

More immigrants arrived during Starmer’s time in Downing Street than under any other prime minister, surpassing the previous high of 65,811 under Boris Johnson.

The record under Sir Keir was achieved in just over 19 months, compared with three years under Mr Johnson.