Passengers arriving in the UK will soon be able to use airport eGates without needing to present their passports, the Government announced on Tuesday, 6 October. A new contactless system will take a photo of arrivals, checking it against verified immigration, travel, and passport information.
If no further checks are required, the gates will open automatically. If additional checks are needed, passengers may still need to place their passport on a reader or be directed to a Border Force Officer.
Testing indicates the new system could be up to 25% faster than the current eGate process. The rollout is planned for early 2027, with British citizens arriving at East Midlands Airport being the first to use the technology. The system is expected to expand to more airports and other nationalities eligible for eGates later.
Phil Douglas, director general of Border Force, stated that the new system aims to make journeys smoother and faster while maintaining border security. Steve Griffiths, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport, welcomed the innovation, noting it complements recent changes to their immigration hall.