U.K. expands access to e-gates to nationals of seven countries

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The United Kingdom has expanded access to eGates to nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States.

What does the change mean? Nationals of these seven countries will be able to use automated self-service gates at 15 international airports in the U.K. and two Eurostar terminals in Brussels and Paris. They will also not be required to fill out a landing card when entering the U.K.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing. The change was implemented Monday
• Processes affected: Entry into the U.K. at 15 U.K. airports and two Eurostar terminals.
• Who is affected: Nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States. The eGates remain available to EU/EEA nationals and Registered Traveller Service members. Travelers must be at least 12 years old and have a biometric passport to use eGates. Travelers who need a stamp in their passport must get their passport stamped by a Border Force officer upon arrival in the U.K.
• Additional information: Travelers from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States will no longer require a stamp in their passport unless they are (1) coming for short-term study, (2) have a Tier 5 Creative and Sporting certificate of sponsorship, (3) are traveling to carry out permitted paid activities or (4) are a family member of an EEA national seeking to join them in the U.K. Additional information is available here.

Analysis & Comments: Monday’s expansion of access to eGates marks the first time the self-serve terminals will be available to non-EU/EEA nationals. Nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States will enjoy easier entry procedures when traveling to the U.K.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.