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UK Travelers to Face Border Delays as New EU Biometric System Rolls Out

Travel and Hospitality

UK Travelers Face Border Delays Biometric

Business Honor
29 July, 2024

The Home Office announced plans to mitigate delays by increasing the number of French border officials at the Port of Dover

Starting in October, UK travelers should brace for long queues at European borders as a new EU system requiring biometric data for entry comes into effect. The UK government has issued a warning that tourists and businesspeople entering from non-EU countries, including the UK, will need to register their fingerprints and photographs at the border, potentially causing longer wait times at airports, ports, and the Eurostar rail line.

The Home Office announced plans to mitigate delays by increasing the number of French border officials at the Port of Dover and collaborating with the French government to streamline border control procedures. This preparation is crucial, as the system's rollout will serve as an early test of the UK-EU relationship under the newly elected Labour government.

Seema Malhotra, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, emphasized the need for the public to prepare for potential delays during peak times as the system is implemented. She criticized the previous administration for not adequately preparing for the new regulations.

The new system aims to automate the registration of non-EU nationals traveling to the EU for short stays, reducing delays in the long term by eliminating the need for manual passport checks and stamps. To facilitate the process, the Port of Dover will feature 24 kiosks, Eurostar will have nearly 50 desks, and the Eurotunnel will boast more than 100 stations for travelers to complete the required checks. Despite these measures, the government estimates the new procedures will add just over five minutes to journey times.