UK Border After Brexit?
Aug 6, 2018 | 2:05 pm
#1
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UK Border After Brexit?
Anyone read if there are plans in place?
I would expect a major <redacted> if EU/EEA/CH citizens have to fill out landing cards, can't use the automated gates, and are actually subjected to questioning rather than a simple quick stamp of the passport. Current staff can barely handle the current workload.
I would expect a major <redacted> if EU/EEA/CH citizens have to fill out landing cards, can't use the automated gates, and are actually subjected to questioning rather than a simple quick stamp of the passport. Current staff can barely handle the current workload.
Last edited by TWA884; Aug 6, 2018 at 3:59 pm Reason: FT Rule 16, using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
Aug 7, 2018 | 12:33 am
#3
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Frankly I doubt there will be significant change post-Brexit. The UK has never been part of Schengen so even today checks all passports and no reason for anything to change. The only question might be the issue of passport checks on travellers from Ireland, but that's another story and is apparently still on the drawing board.
Aug 7, 2018 | 7:19 am
#4
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It’s a mess at LHR before Brexit and it will be a mess after Brexit. The snafu at LHR has it often taking 1 hour or more for entering the UK for even those entitled to use the automated border control gates, and for those who must used staffed counters as a non-European citizen, it is often taking 2 hours to enter the UK. This is too often the normal situation at LHR and it won’t all get better because of Brexit even if they create a British-only line.
Aug 7, 2018 | 10:44 am
#5
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Its a mess at LHR before Brexit and it will be a mess after Brexit. The snafu at LHR has it often taking 1 hour or more for entering the UK for even those entitled to use the automated border control gates, and for those who must used staffed counters as a non-European citizen, it is often taking 2 hours to enter the UK. This is too often the normal situation at LHR and it wont all get better because of Brexit even if they create a British-only line.
The EU/EEA/CH citizens (including UK citizens) can now use the automated border gates, or see an immigration officer who generally asks no questions. The non EU/EEA]/CH citizens are generally asked questions - and, generally more questions than are asked in Continental Europe.
The universe of people who receive this expedited treatment will shrink considerably with Brexit. Presumably the current EU/EEA/CH channels will be relabeled "British Citizens", but many people who prior to Brexit got the expedited treatment will now be waiting on the non-expedited lines, with no ability to use the automatic gates.
Aug 7, 2018 | 10:53 am
#7
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It will probably be a complete disaster. As with most things Brexit, there is - and this is fact - no plan in place. UK Border Force has publicly stated that they will need to hire and train more agents than in possible in the timeframe they have. And there are concerns about the UK's access to various EU databases to check backgrounds of incoming passengers. Also unclear is whether UK citizens will have a special line, how EU citizens are processed, and where the rest end up. It is a real mess and airports (principally LHR) are concerned.
Aug 7, 2018 | 11:10 am
#9
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The tabloids were saying that the Prime Minister was requiring a separate UK nationals line post-Brexit in order to demonstrate a Brexit-bonus.
Aug 7, 2018 | 11:28 am
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I'm not sure whether you are following the main Brexit thread in OMNI, but that idea has been debunked as not really very efficient.
Aug 7, 2018 | 11:29 am
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manage to make it worse.
Aug 7, 2018 | 11:34 am
#12
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Interestingly, I have noticed that the e-passport gates are somewhat under-utilized by non-UK citizens. I took a flight a few months ago from CDG to EDI. The Brits all had their passports and proceeded to the automatic gates. The French for the most part were travelling with ID cards As i understand it, the Brits don't have ID cards so basically must take their passports for travel within the EU.
Aug 7, 2018 | 11:36 am
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It is not just the tabloids that says the PM is wanting a separate UK-only line. Its being said up and down from the very top at Home, althugh the motivation for why the PM wants it is open to speculation. But May has a real tiff over this with Sajid.
Aug 7, 2018 | 11:36 am
#14
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I would think that at least keeping the automated gates available for British Citizens would be efficient.
Interestingly, I have noticed that the e-passport gates are somewhat under-utilized by non-UK citizens. I took a flight a few months ago from CDG to EDI. The Brits all had their passports and proceeded to the automatic gates. The French for the most part were travelling with ID cards As i understand it, the Brits don't have ID cards so basically must take their passports for travel within the EU.
Interestingly, I have noticed that the e-passport gates are somewhat under-utilized by non-UK citizens. I took a flight a few months ago from CDG to EDI. The Brits all had their passports and proceeded to the automatic gates. The French for the most part were travelling with ID cards As i understand it, the Brits don't have ID cards so basically must take their passports for travel within the EU.
Aug 7, 2018 | 12:09 pm
#15
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Well, I don't believe that the French automated system (PARAFE) takes French ID cards either (system works on fingerprints, and I don't think ID cards have embedded fingerprints.)