Automated passport control gates

Two automated passport control gates in use

In February 2009 the Home Secretary announced that the UK Border Agency delivery plan included that by August UKBA should have "completed delivery of new facial recognition technology in 10 terminals, giving British passengers a faster, secure route through the border."   By March 2009 nearly 200,000 travellers had already used this convenient, secure, self-service border crossing. 

Although there have been automated passport control systems around for a while, most of these have relied on: pre-registration; the use of an additional token, such as a card; perhaps paying a fee; and probably having your iris or your fingerprint scanned.  Since 2007, a new type of gate has started to appear where nothing more is needed than for you to turn up with your biometric passport. These gates first appeared at Faro Airport in Portugal in spring 2007, and are now in use at all Portuguese airports, as well as on trial in Finland, at Helsinki. We expect other countries to begin trials soon.

If you are aged 18 or over and have a British or a European Economic Area (EEA) biometric passport, i.e., one with the biometric passport symbol on the front cover (see picture), there are a growing number of opportunities for you to use the new automated gates to pass through borders.

 Tips for using the gates:

• There will be a video or a poster display showing how to use the gates so take a moment to study them before you use the gates for the first time
• When looking into the camera please DO remove your hat and any sunglasses or other glasses/spectacles, and DO NOT cover your face or use a mobile phone or other electronic device.
• Do not be concerned if you cannot use the gates easily first time - the gate assistant will direct you.

So look out for the biometric passport symbol next time you travel!