We have clearly marked lanes for different types of passports including e-Passports, EU Passports, Non-EU Passports.
Take a moment to read the signage and ensure you join the right line for your passport type. This all helps to get you through to your destination faster. Please note EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can only use a national ID card to enter the UK under limited circumstances, which you can find here.
At border control your passport will be checked.
You should:
- Have your passport ready - remove it from a holder or wallet if you use one
- Remove your face covering, hat, headphones or sunglasses, if you’re wearing them
- Move through passport control together if you’re in a family
e-Passports
Have an e-Passport with the clever chip inside, then you can use the eGates if you meet the following criteria:
- You are from one of the following countries:
- UK
- EU
- EEA countries including Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Switzerland
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
- You have a biometric symbol on the cover of your passport
- Members of the Registered Travellers Service
- You must be aged 10 or over and accompanied by an adult if you are aged under 18
You will still need to see an immigration officer if you are:
- A family with children under 10 years old
- An EU traveller with a national identity card
- You are coming for short term study or certain types of work. See more information here.
Other passport holders
If you are not eligible to use the eGates or prefer not to, then please wait for the next available border force officer by following signage to the EU Passport or Non-EU Passport lanes depending on which country you are from.
The easy way through border control
Watch the video below to get all the information you'll need to get through border control the easy way.
Electronic Travel Authorisation
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK. It gives you permission to travel to the UK, and it is electronically linked to your passport.
You’ll need an ETA to: