UK Travellers at 13 Airports Can Now Pass eGates Using Photo, Not Passport Scan

The United Kingdom has begun switching its airport border gates to contactless technology, removing the need for UK citizens and eligible foreign nationals to scan their passports on arrival. The system, supplied by Amadeus under a long-term contract with the Home Office and UK Border Force, is now live at 13 international airports.

Key facts

• Who is covered now: UK citizens, with eligible foreign nationals added later in the rollout
• Where: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted
• Deadline: every eGate is set to be upgraded by early 2027
• How it works: a photo is taken as you approach the eGate and checked against verified immigration, travel and passport information
• Passport needed? only if further checks are required or you are sent to a UK Border Force officer

How does the contactless border work?

As a passenger walks towards the eGate, the system takes a photo of them. That image is checked against verified immigration, travel and passport information, and the gate opens once those checks pass successfully.

Passengers still need to place their passport on the reader only if further checks are required, or if they are directed to a UK Border Force officer.

Who can use it?

The contactless option is initially available to UK citizens. UK Border Force said the capability will be extended to eligible foreign nationals as the phased rollout continues, but the source does not specify which nationalities or when.

The upgrade follows work carried out over the summer to extend eGate use to children aged eight and above, according to Phil Douglas, director general of UK Border Force. He said the technology makes journeys "smoother and faster" while maintaining border security.

Which airports are involved?

Amadeus Seamless Gates are in place at 13 UK airports: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.

Existing eGates at UK airports will be converted to the contactless technology gradually rather than all at once.

What this means for travellers

UK citizens arriving at the 13 listed airports may pass the border without scanning their passport, provided the automated checks are successful. Travellers should still carry their passport, since it is required if further checks are needed or if they are referred to a Border Force officer.

Eligible foreign nationals will be added to the system later in the phased rollout, but no dates or nationalities have been announced.

The upgrade is due to reach every eGate by early 2027. No further milestones have been announced.