The UK Government is rolling out a "state-of-the-art" contactless passport checking system at major UK airports, with the aim of having all eGates switched over by early 2027. The phased rollout began on October 6, 2026, at East Midlands Airport, initially for British citizens.
Passengers arriving in the UK will soon be able to pass through airport checkpoints securely without showing their passports. The system uses facial recognition technology to allow arriving passengers to clear immigration without physically scanning their passports.
How the contactless system works
Passengers approach an eGate and have their photo taken. The system checks this live image against verified immigration, travel and passport information. The eGate opens automatically once these checks are complete.
A statement reads: "The system uses state-of-the-art facial comparison technology to verify a passenger’s identity before the UK’s robust border security checks are carried out in full. Legitimate travellers can then simply walk through, without needing to place their passport on the eGate reader."
If further checks are needed, passengers will need to place their passport on the reader or may be directed to a Border Force officer, as happens today. Border Force officers will continue to monitor all eGates offering assistance, and passengers should keep their passports with them at all times.
Rollout and expansion
The technology, described as a "cutting-edge contactless system", will begin rolling out this month and gradually replace every airport eGate "by early 2027". The aim is to expand this to more airports and other nationalities already eligible for eGates over the coming months.
Standard eGates are currently functioning across 13 major UK airports (including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Stansted), all of which will transition gradually during this phased rollout.
Phil Douglas, Director General of Border Force, said: "By using state-of-the-art technology, we are making journeys smoother and faster, all while fully maintaining the UK’s robust border security. Our digital transformation also builds on our work this summer to extend eGates to children aged eight and above, making life a little easier for families."
Steve Griffiths, managing director of East Midlands Airport, said: "As an airport committed to providing an effortless travel experience, we welcome any technological innovation that can help to safely make our customers’ journeys smoother, swifter and simpler. This complements changes that we carried out to our immigration hall recently to help improve the flow of arriving passengers through the area."
Consumer affairs expert Harry Kind claims that, although passengers won't be able to leave their passports at home, this process change should make part of the return process "smoother and faster". This is not a "passport-less" journey. Border Force explicitly states that passengers must keep their physical passports with them at all times.
