The United Kingdom is expanding access to its new contactless eGates to travelers from the United States, European countries, and several other nations. Initially available only to British citizens, the technology now allows more international passen...
American travelers arriving in the UK can now use the country’s new contactless automated border gates, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
In an update published on November 3, 2026, the UK Border Force confirmed that the technology is now available to foreign nationals who were already eligible to use conventional eGates.
The announcement comes less than a month after the first contactless eGates were introduced on October 6.
When the system launched, only British citizens could use the new contactless process. Authorities said at the time that access would gradually be expanded to other eligible nationalities, but did not provide a specific timeline.
That expansion has now been officially confirmed.
Which nationalities can use contactless eGates in the UK?
According to the latest guidance from the UK government, contactless eGates are now available, where installed, to British citizens and nationals of the following countries:
- European Union member states, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Belgium, with Ireland currently excluded;
- Australia;
- Canada;
- Iceland;
- Japan;
- Liechtenstein;
- New Zealand;
- Norway;
- Singapore;
- South Korea;
- Switzerland;
- United States.
Irish citizens and members of the UK’s Registered Traveller program can continue to use conventional eGates but are not yet eligible for the new contactless feature.
The Border Force emphasizes that the general eligibility requirements for automated passport control remain unchanged.
This is not an expansion of eGate access to new nationalities. Rather, it extends the contactless feature to international travelers who were already eligible to use the existing automated gates.
How does contactless passport control work?
The new technology uses facial recognition and travel information already held by UK authorities.
When a passenger approaches a contactless-enabled eGate, the system captures an image of their face and compares it against verified information relating to their identity, passport, travel details, and immigration status.
If the automated checks are successful, the gate can open without the traveler having to place their passport on a scanner.
However, the new process does not eliminate immigration screening or security checks.
The UK government also stresses that contactless processing is not guaranteed, even for travelers from eligible countries.
If additional checks are required, passengers may be asked to scan their passports using the conventional process or speak with a Border Force officer.
Travelers must therefore still carry a valid passport when entering the UK and be prepared to present it if requested.
Contactless eGates are currently available at two UK airports
According to the latest official government figures, the UK has more than 290 automated eGates across 15 airport and rail entry points.
The new contactless feature, which is currently available on only a limited number of these gates, has been introduced at two airports:
- East Midlands Airport, where the first contactless eGates entered service on October 6, 2026;
- Birmingham Airport, where the technology was also introduced in October.
At both airports, only a small number of gates currently support contactless processing.
The Border Force plans to expand the technology to 11 additional airports: Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, and Stansted.
Authorities aim to make contactless eGates available across UK airports by early 2027.
Specific launch dates have not yet been announced for each of the remaining airports.
Passport, ETA, and age requirements: What US travelers still need to know
The expansion of contactless eGates to American travelers does not change the UK’s entry requirements.
US citizens visiting the UK for a short stay must still carry a valid passport and, unless exempt, obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure.
The same requirement applies to other visa-exempt nationalities, including French and other eligible European travelers.
Passengers holding a valid UK electronic visa (eVisa) or a digitally recorded exemption may also use the eGates if they meet the other eligibility requirements.
As the UK government explains, travelers wishing to use automated border control must:
- Hold a biometric passport;
- Be at least 8 years old;
- Be at least 1.2 meters (approximately 3 feet 11 inches) tall;
- Meet the applicable nationality and immigration status requirements.
Children ages 8 through 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
National identity cards cannot be used at eGates, even by European nationals who are exceptionally permitted to enter the UK using those documents.
For American travelers, the main difference is therefore the arrival experience: at participating airports, eligible passengers may now clear automated border control without scanning their passports, provided the system successfully completes the required checks.
The UK Home Office has also indicated that it is exploring opportunities to extend eGate access to additional travelers, although no further changes have been announced.
VisasNews Take
One month after introducing its first contactless eGates, the United Kingdom is following through on plans to make the technology available to travelers from the United States, Europe, and several other countries. For eligible international visitors, the new process offers a potentially faster and more seamless arrival experience, although it remains limited to participating airports and depends on successful automated checks. Travelers must still carry a valid passport and obtain a UK ETA when required.