United Arab Emirates United Kingdom

The UK has started a phased rollout of contactless immigration eGates that allow passengers to pass border checks without routinely placing a passport on a scanner. The system, introduced from October 6, is beginning at East Midlands Airport for British citizens and is due to reach other airports and eligible nationalities over the coming months.

The technology uses facial recognition to compare a live image captured at the gate with verified passport, immigration and travel records. Once identity and security checks have been completed, the gate opens automatically, allowing the traveller to continue through the border without scanning the document.

UK Border Force said testing found that the contactless process can handle passengers up to 25 per cent faster than conventional eGates that require passport scanning. More than 290 eGates are already installed at 15 UK air and rail ports, processing millions of passengers each year.

Passports must still be carried

Passengers using the upgraded gates will still need to travel with their passports. Border Force may require a document scan or a further check with an officer, while officers will continue to supervise the eGates and help travellers where needed.

The first phase is limited to British citizens. The UK plans to extend the technology to other nationalities that can already use the country’s existing eGates, although the timing of that expansion was not specified.

Under the current eGate rules, eligible travellers generally need a biometric passport, must be at least eight years old and meet a minimum height requirement of 120cm. Children aged eight to 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Travellers using identity cards rather than passports cannot use the eGates.

Implications for Emirati travellers and UAE residents

Emirati passport holders will not be included in the initial rollout. The UK government has said it is exploring options to broaden eGate eligibility, but it has not made a specific announcement on access for Emirati passport holders.

UAE residents with passports from countries already eligible for UK eGates, including the United States, Canada and European Union member states, could benefit once the contactless system is extended to further nationalities. The UK Home Office and Border Force guidance published on October 6 also states that holding a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation does not automatically provide access to eGates.

Eligible nationalities currently include citizens of the UK, Ireland, EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States, among others, subject to immigration requirements.

Airport expansion planned through 2027

East Midlands Airport is the first site to introduce the technology, with Birmingham Airport also among the early locations preparing to use it. The UK already operates eGates at major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, Luton, Bristol, Cardiff and Newcastle.

All airport eGates are expected to be upgraded with the new technology by early 2027.

Phil Douglas, Director General of Border Force, said the system was intended to improve the arrival experience without reducing security. “By using state-of-the-art technology, we are making journeys smoother and faster, all while fully maintaining the UK’s robust border security,” he said.

Douglas said the rollout builds on recent changes that enabled children aged eight and over to use eGates, making the arrivals process easier for families.

Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, said the development showed how airports were using technology to improve passenger journeys. She said efficient border processing remained important for international arrivals and that the aviation sector would work with the government during the rollout.

Steve Griffiths, managing director of East Midlands Airport, said the airport was pleased to be the first in the UK to introduce the system, adding that it complemented recent work in its immigration hall to improve passenger flow.

Chris Wilson, head of terminal and capacity planning at Birmingham Airport, said the airport had worked with government agencies and industry partners to prepare for the technology’s introduction.

The contactless rollout is part of the UK government’s wider effort to modernise immigration processing and digital border management. It follows the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme, which enables authorities to assess eligible travellers before their arrival. Travellers will continue to need valid documents and to meet UK entry requirements.