UK Contactless eGates: Walk Through Without Scanning Your Passport — Live Face Photo From 6 October 2026

Arriving in the UK? Contactless eGates have started to appear at UK airports. Instead of placing your passport on the reader, you look at the camera: the eGate takes a live photo of your face and checks it against your data. The Home Office and Border Force announced the change on 6 October 2026.

How contactless eGates work

1. You approach an eGate and have your photo taken.
2. The system checks this live image against verified immigration, travel and passport information.
3. The eGate opens automatically once these checks are complete.

According to the Home Office, testing shows the contactless system is up to 25% faster than using a passport on an eGate.

Where and for whom

• East Midlands Airport became the first UK airport with contactless eGates on Tuesday 6 October 2026.
• At first it is for British citizens; it will then expand to more airports and to other nationalities already eligible for eGates over the coming months.
• Every eGate at UK airports is set to be upgraded by early 2027.
• eGates are available at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.

Do you still need your passport?

Yes. If further checks are needed, you will have to place your passport on the reader or may be directed to a Border Force officer, as today. Border Force says passengers should keep their passport with them at all times. Dual nationals are advised to travel on a valid British passport or hold a Certificate of Entitlement.

Children and eGates

Since 8 July 2026, children aged 8 and 9 who are at least 120 cm (3 ft 11 in) tall and accompanied by an adult can use UK eGates, according to a Home Office announcement of 14 May 2026.

Why your passport photo still matters

The gate compares your face with the records behind your passport, and your passport photo is part of them. When you renew a UK passport, the photo must follow HM Passport Office rules; you can prepare one on our UK passport photo page.