Passport Control

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 permits you to travel to the UK, and it is electronically linked to your passport. People travelling to the UK without a visa will soon need an Electronic Travel Authorisation. You’ll need an ETA to:

All eligible non-European nationals will require and Electric Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to or transit through the UK. Eligible Europeans will be able to apply from the 5th of March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel to or transit through the UK from the 2nd of April 2025.

From April 2025, all travellers to the UK, except British and Irish citizens, will need permission to travel in advance through either ETA or an eVisa.

The scheme is being rolled out in phases, so it is important to check the requirements before you travel to the UK. 

How do I apply for an ETA?

Eligible visitors should apply for their ETA through the UK ETA app, which is quick and simple to use and enables most applicants to receive a decision within hours.

An ETA will cost £10 and permits multiple journeys (as many as you want) to the UK for over two years or until the holder's passport expires. However please remember this does not always mean it can replace a Visa, it is an additional requirement for visitors. 

Who does not need an ETA?

  • If you are a national from another country.
  • If you have a visa,
  • Permission to live, work or study in the UK.
  • A British or Irish passport.
  • A British overseas territories passport.

People who require a visa to visit the UK will continue to do so, and should not obtain an ETA. Those who are exempt from immigration control will not require an ETA.

The scheme is being rolled out in phases, so it is important to check the requirements before you travel to the UK. 

For more information please check out the website: https://www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation