Why must you be over 18 to use an ePassport gate?
As gov.uk states:
You can use the EU/EEA channel to get your passport or identity card checked - this is usually faster than the other channels.
You can use automatic ePassport gates at some airports if your passport has a ‘chip’ on it and you’re over 18.
These gates use facial recognition technology to check your identity against the photo in your passport.
Some airlines (or maybe all, I do not know) allow people the age of 16 or over to travel alone.
What practical reason is there for having the 18+ age requirement to use these ePassport gates?
Best Answer
These restrictions are in place to protect children who may have been forced to travel against their will. By forcing children 12 and under to the human facing desks this then means the supervisor can be questioned.
The previous limit of 18 was proving difficult in practice as a number of families were being held up and made to wait.
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Can children use ePassport gates?
e-Passport gates were originally restricted to eligible passengers 18 years and over. Children aged 12 and over (facial recognition isn't effective for under 12s so there will be no further reduction in age) travelling with an adult can now use ePassport gates at certain airport terminals: Birmingham (Terminal 1)Who can use e gate?
You can normally use eGates if you:- have a biometric symbol on the cover of your passport.
- are aged 12+ (12 to 17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult)
- are either: a British citizen.
Who can use ePassport gates UK?
You can use automatic ePassport gates at some airports if your passport has a 'chip' on it and you're 12 or over. If you're between 12 and 17, you must be accompanied by an adult. These gates use facial recognition technology to check your identity against the photo in your passport.Can students use eGates UK?
Who can use eGates to enter the UK? If you have been granted a Student visa sticker in your passport, or if you are a non-visa national who is applying for leave to study for less than 6 months under the Standard Visitor visa route, you may be eligible to use the eGates on arrival.How to enter the UK using the ePassport gate | Manchester Airport | Society | Travel
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Answer 2
See the information for if you are under 18 traveling to the UK. For example, a person under 18 traveling alone needs written consent to travel to the UK from their parent or guardian. Checking that would be very difficult to automate.
Answer 3
As well as the restrictions on travelling to the UK alone if you are under 18, where the border guard is probably required to verify that you have parental consent, the automated process requires you to self-certify that you have entered the correct particulars. There is a minimum age below which you will not be considered legally competent to do that, and presumably 18 was chosen as that age.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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