United Kingdom Expands eGate Eligibility to More Children

Key Point  

• The United Kingdom expanded eGate eligibility to children aged 10 and above, aiming to reduce airport wait times and improve family travel flows ahead of the 2026 summer season. 

eGate Eligibility for More Children 

The United Kingdom (U.K.) Home Office has announced that children aged 10 and over will now be able to use eGates at major U.K. airports. Previously, eGates were only available to travelers aged 12+. 

The change is intended to speed up border processing, reduce queues during peak travel periods, and improve the overall experience for families arriving in the U.K. 

• New minimum age: 10 years old 
• Applies to eligible nationalities already permitted to use eGates, including: 
• EU/EEA nationals 
• U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and South Korea 
• UK residents with biometric passports 

Security Measures 

The Home Office notes that the expansion follows successful testing, confirming that biometric accuracy and security standards remain high for younger travelers.  

Border Force officers will continue to monitor eGate use and provide support where needed.

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