At Heathrow, Americans Can Skip the Line to Enter the UK
Jackie Reddy November 14, 2018
The British government has revealed that, in 2019, holders of American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Japanese passports can use LHR’s eGates. The privilege was previously only granted to European passport holders. The move is seen as an attempt to encourage ties with non-European nations.
Long lines at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) have been the bane of many an arriving traveler over the last few months, but it seems that – for some passengers, at least – a reprieve is in sight. On Monday, the British government announced that holders of American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Japanese passports will be permitted to use LHR’s eGates, something that should make entry formalities move more swiftly and smoothly.
Though this news garnered only a small paragraph of a recent press release issued by LHR, this announcement is notable in that it comes just as Brexit negotiations enter a new phase. As NerdWallet indicates, it is hoped that this relaxation of rules for this particular group of passport holders will help to encourage and foster stronger trade ties among travelers from non-European nations.
This speedier processing comes just months after both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic criticized the immigration wait times for non-European nationals arriving at the airport, which were exceeding two hours in length.
Speaking to the BBC this past August, Craig Kreeger, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, was quoted by the outlet as saying, “At a time when the UK needs to show the world it is open for business, the government and Border Force need to provide a great first impression for every visitor every time.”
It appears that Kreeger’s words were heeded and, as of January of 2019, passport holders of these nations will now be permitted swift processing via LHR’s eGates, something only previously allowed for European visitors.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
So basically RT for free, at least at Heathrow. They will need to expand the eGates and make them more reliable for this.
Make me laugh. I'm on my second e-passport (the one with the chip) and not once has the e-gate worked for me. You get to go to a special manual desk when it fails but the situation is ridiculous (especially as the e-gate at Singapore worked for me). Once all these foreigners start using the e-gates (there aren't that many) it will be quicker to stand in the regular queue.
@skitot - You can use the automated kiosks just like US & Canadian citizens. The only restriction is that you must have entered the US on the same ETSA number previously. Once that's done you can use the kiosks till you have to apply for a new ETSA. @j2simpso - These are just the egates, not registered traveller programs. Right now you have to registered to use the egates if not a UK/EU citizen. You won't have to pay or register to use them. Just like in New Zealand/Australia, you simply walk up to the egate just like a NZ/AUS citizen. It simply recognizes that your passport is from a country that can use it. It then verifies your info in the system, and if your picture matches your face the gate opens.
Is this the same thing as Registered Traveller? I'm a Canuck and forked over 70 quid for the privilege of joining the program.
When I arrived at Heathrow last month for the first ti me since 1958 I had to prove I was leaving the following day. It's never happened before.