Last updated: 29 July 2023
We reported earlier this month on our Facebook page that the UK Border Force was expanding the eligibility for the ePassport gates at UK entry points from June this year.
Previously, ePassport gates were exclusively for use of UK, EU & EEA nationals and members of the Registered Traveller programme. The good news is, from 20 May, ePassport gates at UK airports, as well as Brussels and Paris Eurostar terminals, are now available to Aussie and Kiwi passport holders along with five other nationalities.
Along with the expanded eligibility for ePassport gates, those pesky paper landing cards that drive us all mad have now come to an end for all travellers. Woohoo!
Non-EU travellers benefiting from the changes can expect a quicker and smoother entry process by inserting their passport into a machine. The facial recognition process which takes just seconds, rather than hours under the old system, especially at intercontinental long haul hubs like Heathrow and Gatwick.
Do I Qualify to Use the ePassport Gates in the UK?
Are you:
- Over 18, or 12 to 17-years-old and by accompanied by an adult?
- Travelling on a biometric or ‘chipped’ passport from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA?
If you said yes to both, then yes you can use ePassport Gates at UK entry points!
Is My Passport Biometric?
A chipped, biometric or electronic passport is simply a traditional passport that has an embedded electronic chip which contains information that can be used to authenticate the identity of the passport holder. These days, most new passports that are issued contain chips. You can tell if yours is by looking for a biometric symbol on the exterior front cover of your passport. The symbol is shown in the image below, it looks a bit like a camera.
How To Use The ePassport Gates
Follow the immigration signs to the EU/EEA queue, and subsequent signage for the ePassport gates.
I’ve had some success with the ePassport gates so please learn from my experience so you’re not the person everyone groans and rolls their eyes at if it doesn’t work.
- Remove your hat, glasses and anything that may distort your facial biometrics to the machine
- Approach the machine, passport in hand
- Place the photo page face down on the scanner, press firmly to ensure it’s flat and slide it as far into the machine as it will go
- Follow the instructions on the screen in front of you which will instruct you to simply look at the camera to your right. Learn from me, do not smile and do not blink for the duration of the scan
- Cross your fingers that after the camera has scanned your face you’ll be instructed to exit through the barriers
If the system doesn’t let you through, don’t freak out. This happens quite often. You may be instructed to repeat the above process all again, or you’ll be directed to a queue (it’s usually short-ish) to see a real-life Border Force officer who will finalise your immigration into the UK.
What about Registered Traveller?
This new development seemingly makes the Registered Traveller scheme redundant. Similar to Global Entry, the paid scheme provided Australians, Americans and other nationalities, access to the UK/EU channels on arrival into the UK. At the large longhaul hubs like Heathrow and Gatwick skipping the lengthy non-EU queue and going straight through the ePassport gates is the program’s biggest perk.
Read More: Registered Traveller – Speedy Immigration for Regular Visitors & Expats
For nationalities not listed in the latest release for ePassport gates, Registered Traveller is still worth the expense. It’s a program we used for a number of years and would recommend to anyone who regularly travels to the UK and qualifies under the criteria.
How Do I Get Started on the ePassport Gates in the UK?
Assuming you qualify, just go ahead and use them! They’re already active!
More Information
This post will be updated after we take our next trip with some first hand experiences under the new changes.
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