Lifestyle Trend: £589 fee introduced as new UK passport rules come into force next week You Should Know

There is a group of people that will either need a new passport or face paying £589

New border rules will require dual nationals travelling to the UK by air, sea or rail, to show a valid passport or obtain a “certificate of entitlement” costing £589. Under the updated regulations, British citizens will no longer be able to use an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) as an alternative travel document.

For comparison, a standard online UK adult passport currently costs around £95, with higher fees applied for applications made overseas. Critics have warned that the new measures could leave British children born abroad unable to enter the UK unless their parents pay the additional costs. The rules are set to come into effect from February 25.

The Home Office said the changes are part of a wider programme to create a “seamless travel experience.” Officials added that the move will give the government “greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and gives us a fuller picture of immigration”.

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Reports suggest some British expats have already surrendered their UK citizenship in response to the changes. This stems from the legal complexities faced by dual nationals whose second country may require proof that they have formally renounced previous citizenship – which is the act of giving up your nationality – making you a foreign national in your home country.

However, under UK law, an international declaration of renunciation does not automatically revoke British nationality. If a dual national attempts to travel on a foreign passport without notifying UK authorities, they may be denied boarding.

To avoid complications, passengers must present either a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to confirm their status, the Chronicle Live reports.

Many dual nationals are now considering formally renouncing their British citizenship through the British Nationality Act 1981. The move would ensure consistency between legal systems and reduce the risk of future administrative problems when travelling internationally.

The introduction of these rules comes amid a surge in small boat crossings to the UK. During Sir Keir Starmer’s tenure as Prime Minister, more than 66,000 migrants have arrived in this manner – surpassing the previous peak of 65,811 recorded under Boris Johnson.

Notably, the figure under Keir Starmer was reached in just 19 months, compared with three years under Johnson, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the current government.

The new passport and certificate requirements, while intended to tighten border controls, have drawn criticism from British citizens living abroad and families of dual nationals.

Many warn that the cost and bureaucratic burden could prevent children from returning home, while legal experts caution that navigating dual nationality issues may become increasingly complex.