UK Travel Advisory
20 May 2019, 3:25 PM
Dear Guests,
The UK Government has announced that the expansion of eGates at airports for nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America will start from 20 May 2019.
In line with the eGates expansion, all travelers will be exempted from the landing card requirement from 20 May 2019.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA are granted entry into the UK as a visitor for up to six months. As a condition of entry, travellers from these seven countries cannot work, study and have no recourse to public funds.
eGate eligibility
Who can use the eGates?
- Citizens of the UK, EU, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America.
- Be aged 12+
- Hold a biometric passport.
- Members of the Registered Traveller Service can also use the eGates.
Travellers will still need to see an officer if they are:
- Travelling with children under 12 years
- Travelling on their National Identity card or with a passport that doesn’t have a biometric chip
- Coming to the UK for short term study, specific types of work or reasons (if they are from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America).
eGate exceptions – who needs a passport stamp
Most travellers from the new countries won’t need a passport stamp except if they are coming to the UK for a specific reason, including:
- Short term students (less than six months);
- Permitted Paid Engagements (visitors);
- Entering under the Tier 5 concession (arts and sporting); and,
- Non EEA family members joining an EEA national.
These travellers will require a specific grant of leave, which is given by an officer (in the form of a stamp). Without this passport stamp these individuals will be unable to do the activities they are coming to the UK to do.
If you are coming to the UK for short term study (less than six months) or for any of the above reasons, please don’t use the eGates and follow signs for ‘see an officer’ on your arrival into port.
International students
✓ Longer term students with a visa or a student biometric residence permit to allow you to study, can use the eGates
X Short term students (up to 6 months) should not use the eGates as they need to see an officer for a stamp in their passport. This stamp gives them the permission needed for their studies.
For more information, please visit UK Border Force.
Please note that all passengers arriving at UK ports and airports will continue to be subject to full identity and security checks.
#useegates #fastertravel #egateuser