Children aged 8 and over can normally use UK border eGates from 8 July 2026, with 8 to 17 year olds accompanied by an adult, Border Force guidance says.
Key facts
- Who: Children aged 8 and over, and the adults travelling with them, arriving at UK ports with eGates
- From: 8 July 2026
- Source: Getting through the UK border faster
Border Force's guidance on faster travel through the UK border says there are over 290 ePassport gates (eGates) at 15 air and rail ports.
The guidance says travellers can normally use eGates if they:
- have a biometric symbol on the cover of their passport
- are 8 years old or over (8 to 17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult)
- are at least 120cm tall
- are a British or Irish citizen or have valid immigration status
For travellers who are not British or Irish citizens, the guidance refers to a valid electronic travel authorisation (ETA), eVisa or digital record of exemption. It then lists nationals of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA, and members of the Registered Traveller Service.
Only one person can use the eGates at a time. Adults travelling alone with children under 18 should use the eGates first. Where 2 or more adults are travelling with children, the guidance sets this order: Adult 1, then the child or children, then Adult 2 or the final adult.
Those travelling with ID cards cannot use the eGates.
The guidance says travellers must see a Border Force officer and get their passport stamped if they are coming to the UK with a Temporary Work – Creative Worker Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for short-term assignments of up to 3 months. A traveller who uses the eGates by mistake should see a Border Force officer before leaving the port to receive a stamp.
The guidance also covers children travelling with adults who are not their parent, or who may appear not to be, for example because of a different family name. Border Force may ask questions to establish the relationship. It says carrying evidence may help, such as a birth or adoption certificate, marriage or divorce certificates, or a letter from the child's parent or parents giving authority to travel and contact details.
What this means for applicants
From 8 July 2026, children aged 8 and over can normally use the eGates if they meet the conditions in the guidance, including the 120cm height condition. Those aged 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult, and the adults and children follow the order set out above.
Travellers with ID cards cannot use the eGates. Anyone arriving with a Temporary Work – Creative Worker CoS for a short-term assignment of up to 3 months must see a Border Force officer and have their passport stamped. If such a traveller uses an eGate by mistake, they must see an officer before leaving the port to receive the stamp.
Sources
- Getting through the UK border faster, Border Force guidance, GOV.UK