THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
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US Citizens can use UK E-Passport gates from June 2019
The Chancellor announced the change in eligibility during the Spring Budget
During yesterday's Spring Statement in the UK House of Commons, Chancellor Philip Hammond confirmed that from June 2019, US Citizens will be permitted to use e-gates at UK Airports and Eurostar terminals in a bid to "reduce queues and improve the flow of passengers and the overall experience at the UK border".
During the Statement, Mr Hammond explained that citizens of the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Singapore and South Korea will be able to use the e-gates, describing it as "a signal to the World of our commitment to Global Britain".
In October 2018, when announcing the plan to allow Americans to enter the UK via e-gates, the UK Government explained that there were "259 ePassport gates in operation at 14 ports around the UK and juxtaposed control locations. The gates can be used by those aged 18 and over, and who are travelling using a biometric or ‘chipped’ passport. Those aged 12 to 17 years old, and who are accompanied by an adult, are also able to use them."
Until now, US Citizens have needed to be a 'Registered Traveller' to the UK to utilize the e-gates, whereas from June, the e-gates will be open to all eligible US Citizens. To use the e-gates, you'll need to have a US e-Passport which contains an electronic chip. If you don't currently have one, you can find out more details on US electronic passports, which are now issued to all passport applicants, via the Department of State Travel website.
