Major new UK passport rules have now come into effect

A big change has been introduced this week to enable people visiting the UK to pass through passport control more easily.

The change sees ePassport gates open to millions more passengers arriving in the UK.

Introduced by the Home Office, the new measure will allow eligible travellers from six countries to enter through the ePassport automated gates.

Those countries are New Zealand, Australia, Canada Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and the USA.

The aim is to speed up border controls for people from what are classified as “low-risk” countries according to Devon Live.

More than 10 million passengers in the UK from the seven newly eligible countries in 2017.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our new global immigration and border system will improve security and fluidity for passengers coming to visit or work in the UK.

“Expanding the use of ePassport gates is a key part of this and allows us to improve the passenger experience of those arriving in the UK while keeping our border secure.”

Plans for the expansion were first announced in the Budget in October last year.

There are 264 ePassport gates in operation at 15 air and rail terminals in the UK and “juxtaposed” border controls in France and Belgium.

The gates use facial recognition technology to compare the passenger’s face to the digital image recorded in their passport.

They are monitored by Border Force officers and anyone rejected at the gates is sent to a manned passport check to have their identity and passport checked.

The gates can be used by passengers aged 18 and over who are travelling using a biometric or “chipped” passport.

Those aged 12 to 17 who are accompanied by an adult are also eligible.

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said: “As airports prepare for the busy summer months, we know that no one likes to wait long in a queue for passport control.

“That is why airports work closely with Border Force to ensure the border is welcoming, while maintaining the UK’s security.

“Enabling more passengers to use ePassport gates is an important next step in our joint efforts to enhance the welcome at the border.”

As reported recently, from Monday non-European passengers will no longer have to fill out landing cards upon arrival in the UK.

 

Visit our Facebook pages for Coventry and Nuneaton or visit our Twitter pages for Coventry and Nuneaton  

Watch our videos on YouTube and see our photos on  Instagram  

Find old stories in ouronline Archives and search for jobs, motors and property, or place an advert or family noticehere