Lois Larson
E-gates are automated, self-service gates that speed up the passport control process for travellers entering or leaving the UK. They use facial recognition software to verify a person's identity by scanning their face and matching it with the data stored on a biometric chip in their passport. While e-gates have improved the efficiency of the UK's immigration control, they have faced technical glitches and periodic suspensions. As of 2024, there are over 270 e-gates installed across 13 UK airports and two railway stations. While the specific airports are not mentioned, London's Heathrow Airport is known to have e-gates. Additionally, the post-Brexit deal between the UK and EU may lead to British travellers using e-gates at EU airports in the future, but this is still uncertain.
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What You'll Learn
How e-gates work
E-gates, also known as automated border control (ABC) systems, are becoming increasingly common at airports worldwide. They are designed to streamline the process of entering or leaving a country, replacing customs officers on arrival and Biometric Exit at boarding. E-gates use facial recognition software to verify a person's identity by scanning their face and matching it with the data stored on a biometric chip in their passport. This information is then checked against several databases to ensure the traveller does not pose a security risk.
To use an e-gate, a passenger must place their passport on a scanner and look at a camera, which takes a photograph. This process typically takes less than 30 seconds. If the system cannot verify the passenger's identity, or a malfunction occurs, an immigration officer will step in. In some cases, additional security measures such as fingerprint or iris scans may be required.
The eligibility requirements for using e-gates vary depending on the country. In the UK, citizens and individuals from certain other countries with a biochip passport can use e-gates. This includes nationals from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the USA. Additionally, registered travellers from specific countries, such as Andorra, Argentina, and the Bahamas, are eligible.
The deployment of e-gates offers several advantages, including reducing flight delays, streamlining processing times, and enhancing security through biometric verification. They also help in collecting data and immediately accepting or rejecting boarding passengers, improving the overall efficiency of border control management.
As of 2023, e-gates have been deployed in over 20 US airports and most European hubs. The number of e-gate units is expected to increase significantly by 2027.
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Who can use e-gates
EGates are automated, self-service gates that speed up the passport control process in UK airports. They use facial recognition software to verify a person's identity by scanning their face and matching it with the data stored on a biometric chip in their passport.
To use the eGates, passengers need to be over the age of 10 and have a biometric passport from one of the following countries: the UK, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, or the USA.
Passengers from the following countries can also use the eGates if they are enrolled as a 'Registered Traveller': Andorra, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Holy See, Hong Kong, Israel, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
It is important to note that not all passports are eligible for use at UK airport e-gates. Passports must be from one of the countries listed above, and passengers must also register before travelling if their passport is issued by a country in the European Union.
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The benefits of e-gates
E-gates, also known as Automated Border Control (ABC) systems, are becoming increasingly popular at airports worldwide. They offer a range of benefits to both passengers and airport authorities.
One of the key advantages of e-gates is the increased speed and efficiency they provide for border control processes. By using advanced biometric technology, including facial recognition, iris scans, and fingerprint scanning, e-gates can verify a traveller's identity in a matter of seconds, reducing the time spent in queues. This enhancement in efficiency is beneficial for passengers, who can spend more time on their holiday or work trips, and for airport authorities, who can process a higher volume of passengers with potentially reduced staff.
E-gates also improve security and data collection. The biometric identification technology enhances security by accurately validating a traveller's identity and cross-referencing this data with multiple databases to assess security risks. This technology helps to reduce fraud and identify potential threats, contributing to the overall safety of the airport and border control environment.
Additionally, e-gates provide flexibility and convenience. Their modular design allows for adaptability to different floor spaces and control levels, ensuring efficient utilisation of space at border gates. Furthermore, e-gates can be used by eligible travellers from various countries, including the UK, EU, US, Australia, and others, offering a seamless and convenient experience for international travellers.
While e-gates offer significant benefits, it is important to acknowledge the potential for technical glitches and the need for travellers to meet specific eligibility criteria to utilise e-gates. Nevertheless, the advantages of e-gates in enhancing efficiency, security, and convenience at border control points are driving their growing adoption worldwide.
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Problems with e-gates
E-gates, or electronic passport gates, are automated, self-service gates that use facial recognition software to speed up the passport control process at UK airports. While these gates have improved efficiency, they have also encountered several problems.
One of the main issues with e-gates is their reliance on IT systems, which can be prone to technical glitches and outages. For example, in May 2024, a "network problem" shut down e-gates at major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh, causing significant delays as border officials had to manually process travellers. This was not an isolated incident, as there have been several other instances of e-gate outages in the past, including in 2023 and 2021. These outages have led to concerns about underinvestment in the system and fears of potential system-wide failures in the future.
Another problem with e-gates is their limited eligibility. Only individuals with biometric passports from specific countries, such as the UK, EU, US, and a few other nations, can use these gates. Travellers who do not meet the eligibility criteria or have faulty passports must use a separate queue, which can result in longer waiting times.
In addition, e-gates rely on accurate biometric data stored on passport chips. If a person's appearance has changed significantly from the stored data, the system may fail to recognise them, requiring manual intervention. This can also occur if the passport is not inserted correctly, the microchip is damaged, or the individual does not follow instructions, such as removing glasses or hats.
Furthermore, e-gates can be flagged for various database alerts, including warrants, criminal investigations, watch lists, and other anomalies. This can result in unexpected delays for travellers, who may be required to undergo additional checks or provide explanations for the alerts.
While e-gates aim to streamline the passport control process, these technical and operational challenges highlight the need for ongoing improvements and contingency measures to ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience for passengers.
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Using e-gates in the EU
EGates are automated, self-service gates that speed up the passport control process in UK airports and some ports. They use facial recognition software to verify a person's identity by scanning their face and matching it with the data stored on a biometric chip in their passport. The information is then run through several databases to assess whether the person is a security risk.
In the EU, the right of European citizens to a fast track through passport control is enshrined in EU law. The Schengen Border Code of the European Union stipulates "separate lanes, indicated by uniform signs ... in international airports" to reduce waiting times for EU citizens. These separate lanes move quickly because the only check made for EU citizens is that their travel document is valid and belongs to them. This verification can be made swiftly and efficiently by e-gates, which match the traveller's face with the biometric information on the travel document.
After the UK's 2016 vote to leave the European Union, British travellers had to queue to have their passports stamped when arriving in many European airports. This led to long queues at border control, with British travellers joining the "`other nations` queue". However, some airports in Portugal and Spain introduced e-gates that accept British passports, and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be "visa-exempt third-country nationals".
As part of the "post-Brexit reset deal", the UK government is in talks with the EU to allow UK passport holders to use e-gates across Europe, ending the current two-queue system. This agreement could considerably reduce airport queueing times, especially if it lifts the requirement for passport stamping. The EU is preparing to set up a new entry and exit system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), that will apply to British travellers from October 2025. This scheme will replace passport stamping but will require British travellers to provide biometric data at the border. According to the agreement, there will be "no legal barriers to e-gate use for British nationals travelling to and from EU member states" after the introduction of the EES. However, the implementation of the EES is expected to be phased in over six months, until April 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
There are over 270 e-gates in place at 15 air and rail ports in the UK. These include major UK airports such as London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester Airport.
E-gates are automated, self-service gates that speed up the passport control process. They use facial recognition software to verify a person's identity by scanning their face and matching it with the data stored on a biometric chip in their passport.
To use the e-gates at UK airports, you must have a biometric passport and be over 10 years old. Nationals of the following countries can use the e-gates:
- Australia
- Canada
- Iceland
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- USA
