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Arriving in the UK: immigration, eGates and security for visitors and returning residents

What to expect at the UK border at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City: who can use eGates, ETA and visa rules, liquids and security, and how long to allow before your driver meets you.

eGates: who can use them

British and Irish citizens, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and visitors from a list of countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and South Korea can use eGates from age 10 (with an adult). Everyone else queues for a Border Force officer. Families with young children are usually sent to the staffed desks together.

ETA, visas and EES

Most visa-free visitors now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying to the UK. The EU's EES and ETIAS schemes apply when you leave the UK for the Schengen area, not when you arrive in Britain. The GOV.UK links below are the authoritative source and change often.

Security and liquids

Rules on liquids differ by terminal while new scanners are rolled out, so assume the 100 ml limit unless the airport says otherwise on the day. Power banks go in hand luggage only.

How long to allow after landing

From the aircraft door to the arrivals hall typically takes 25-60 minutes including immigration and baggage reclaim, longer at peak Christmas periods. Your driver is tracking the flight and 60 minutes of waiting after landing is included in the fare, so there is no need to rush.

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Updated October 2026. Operated by Get London Transfer Ltd, TfL private hire operator licence 11588.