Beginning in October 2026, the UK will implement passport-free eGates at airports.

Beginning in October 2026, the UK will implement passport-free eGates at airports.
Contactless eGates that utilize face recognition to expedite immigration are being introduced in the UK. Check out the changes for Indian visitors to the UK.
UK airports are introducing contactless eGates, which allow qualified passengers to clear immigration using facial recognition rather than placing their passports on the eGate reader.
The rollout began on October 6, 2026, with East Midlands Airport among the first airports to obtain the technology. Birmingham Airport is also included in the initial phase, with enhancements scheduled for all UK eGates by early 2027.
How the New Contactless E-Gates Work
Passengers can just approach the gate and have their photo taken. Before automatically opening the gate, the technology checks the live image against validated immigration, travel, and passport information.
Testing by the UK Border Force shows that the contactless system can be up to 25% faster than the current passport-scanning technique.
British citizens will be the first to use it. As the implementation continues, the technology is planned to be expanded to include other countries who are already allowed to use UK eGates.
UK Airports with eGates
The UK presently operates eGates at thirteen airports:
Birmingham Airport
Bristol Airport
Cardiff Airport
East Midlands Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Gatwick Airport
Glasgow Airport
Heathrow Airport
London City Airport
Luton Airport
Manchester Airport
Newcastle Airport
Stansted Airport
Indian travelers still need their passports.
The UK entrance restrictions remain unchanged for bearers with Indian passports. Indian travelers who are eligible to use eGates must still carry their actual passport and complete all current visa or Electronic Travel Authorization requirements.
Even if contactless processing is extended to other nationalities, passengers may be asked to scan their passports or talk with a Border Force officer if additional checks are required.
This shift is part of a larger trend toward pre-travel digital screening, with the UK's ETA system already allowing border authorities to check qualified visitors prior to travel.Travunited Take:
Contactless eGates are a useful advance for eligible travelers, but Indian tourists should still carry passports and meet current UK entry restrictions until eligibility is expanded.