One million visitors use passport eGates since expansion
More than one million additional visitors have used the digital border process to enter the UK.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has today (Friday 5 July) hailed the successful expansion of passport eGates after it was revealed that more than one million additional visitors have used the digital border process to enter the UK.
UK and EU nationals have been able to use eGates to enter the UK since 2008. From 20 May, nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States have also been able to use them.
Figures from the programme’s roll-out show that more than one million passengers from these seven countries have already used the system, which has been rolled out as part of a drive to make the UK as welcoming as possible to visitors whilst improving our border security.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:
I’m delighted more than one million additional passengers have used our eGates since the expansion.
Tourism and business are key drivers for our economy and we want passengers to enter the UK quickly and securely.
Our world leading border system sends a clear message that we are open for business.
eGates use facial recognition technology to compare a passenger’s face with the digital image recorded in their passport. They are monitored by Border Force officers and anyone rejected at the gates has their identity and passport checked manually.
eGates can be used by adults travelling using a biometric or ‘chipped’ passport. Children aged 12-17 who are accompanied by an adult can also use them.
The UK allows more nationalities to use eGates than anywhere else in the world, and there are currently 264 eGates in operation at 15 air and rail terminals in the UK and juxtaposed controls.
EU nationals will still be able to use them after the UK leaves the EU.
The figures quoted are drawn from estimates from the roll-out of the programme.