Key facts
- Children aged eight and nine can now use passport e-gates.
- The minimum age for e-gate use has been lowered from 10.
- Children must be at least 120cm tall and accompanied by an adult.
- The change is expected to benefit up to 1.5 million children.
- The policy aims to reduce queuing times for families during peak travel periods.
The UK has expanded the use of passport e-gates to include younger children, allowing those aged eight and nine to utilize the technology. This change, announced by the Home Office, comes as the peak summer holiday season approaches.
Previously, only passengers aged 10 and above were permitted to use the e-gates, which employ facial recognition technology to verify identities against passport photos. This often meant families with younger children had to queue at manual passport booths. The new regulations require children to be at least 120cm tall and accompanied by an adult.
Border security minister Alex Norris stated that the adjustment is intended to simplify travel for families and reduce hassle after holidays. The government estimates that up to 1.5 million additional children will now be able to use the e-gates. These gates are available at 13 UK airports, as well as at ports in Brussels and Paris where juxtaposed border checks occur.
Border Force director-general Phil Douglas noted that increasing access to e-gates allows skilled officers to concentrate on intercepting individuals who may pose a threat to the UK. The UK possesses nearly 300 e-gates, which are accessible to British citizens and nationals from the EU, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, and the US, as well as registered travellers.