Goodbye passport scans at UK airports

Arrivals at UK airports will soon walk through eGates without scanning their passport.

The Home Office announced on Tuesday (6 October) that eGates will gradually switch to a new contactless system, with every eGate upgraded by early 2027.

Passengers approach the eGate, which takes their photo as they arrive. The system then checks the live image against verified immigration, travel and passport information.

The gate opens automatically once the system completes these checks and the full border security checks have run.

Border Force said testing showed the contactless system is up to 25% faster than placing a passport on the eGate reader.

The rollout starts at East Midlands Airport, initially for British citizens only. Border Force plans to expand it to more airports and to other nationalities already eligible for eGates over the coming months.

Birmingham Airport said it is also one of the first airports to introduce the new system.

“By using state-of-the-art technology, we are making journeys smoother and faster, all while fully maintaining the UK’s robust border security,” said Phil Douglas, Director General of Border Force.

Border Force is updating the software on existing eGates rather than replacing the hardware.

eGates currently operate at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.

Some passengers will still need to place their passport on the reader if the system requires further checks. Border Force officers may also direct travellers to a staffed desk, as happens today.

Officers will continue to monitor every eGate, and passengers must still carry their passports at all times.

The Home Office advised dual nationals to travel on a valid British passport or hold a Certificate of Entitlement to avoid delays at the border.

“We’re delighted to be the first UK airport to have contactless eGates introduced by Border Force,” said Steve Griffiths, managing director of East Midlands Airport.

“It is vital that we have the fast, efficient borders that arrivals into the UK now expect, and we will work closely with our members and government officials to ensure a smooth rollout,” said Karen Dee, chief executive of airport trade body AirportsUK.

The change follows the extension of eGates to children aged eight and above earlier this year.

“Our digital transformation also builds on our work this summer to extend eGates to children aged eight and above, making life a little easier for families,” said Douglas.

It also builds on the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which lets officials identify potential security risks before someone travels to the UK.

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