The UK Home Office is expanding passport e-gate access to include children aged eight [1] and nine [1].

This change aims to reduce congestion at border checkpoints and streamline the arrival process for families during the peak travel season. By allowing younger children to use automated systems, the government intends to shorten wait times for passengers entering the country.

According to the Home Office, the update is coming into force ahead of the school holidays [3]. The move is designed to "make journeys easier" [4], Alex Norris said.

To utilize the automated border control systems, children must meet a specific physical requirement. Specifically, children must be at least 120cm tall [2] to use the e-gates. This height restriction ensures that the biometric scanners and gates can function correctly and safely for younger passengers.

Families traveling through UK airports can now utilize these gates if their children meet both the age and height criteria. Those who do not meet the 120cm requirement will continue to use the manual passport control lanes where officers verify travel documents.

The expansion of these electronic gates is part of a broader effort to modernize border security. By integrating more travelers into the digital flow, the Home Office seeks to balance efficient processing with rigorous security checks.

“Children must be at least 120cm tall to use the e-gates.”

This policy shift reflects a transition toward fully automated border management in the UK. By lowering the age threshold for e-gate usage, the government is leveraging biometric technology to handle higher passenger volumes during summer peaks, potentially reducing the staffing burden on manual checkpoints while maintaining security standards.