Aussies eligible for UK e-passport gates

Australian travellers have been granted quicker access to the UK where electronic 'gates' will accept passports from Down Under.

An Australian passport pictured in Brisbane, Thursday, July 25, 2013. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING

Australians will be able to use e-passport gates to get through British airports. Source: AAP

Travellers touching down in the United Kingdom will spend less time waiting in immigration queues with the introduction of electronic passport gates for Australians.

The British High Commission on Monday confirmed the self-use terminals are operational for visitors with a chipped passport.

"I'm delighted that Australian nationals will benefit from their use and have a smooth beginning to their visit to our country," Home Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement.

In 2017 about 1.4 million Australian passports were processed at UK ports.

Travellers aged 12 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult to use the electronic gates and those aged less than 11 will still need to speak with an immigration officer.

"The UK is already a world leader in automated passenger clearance, allowing more nationalities to use ePassport gates than anywhere else," Monday's statement read.


Share
1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends


News

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Arabic-speaking Australians.
Personal journeys of Arab-Australian migrants.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
Arabic Collection

Arabic Collection

Watch SBS On Demand