Automated border control systems (ABC) or eGates are automated self-service barriers which use data stored in a chip in biometric passports along with a photo or fingerprint taken at the time of entering the eGates to verify the passport holder's identity. Travellers undergo biometric verification using facial or iris recognition, fingerprints, or a combination of modalities. After the identification process is complete and the passport holder's identity is verified, a physical barrier such as a gate or turnstile opens to permit passage. If the passport holder's identification is not verified or if the system malfunctions, then the gate or turnstile does not open and an immigration officer will meet the person. E-gates came about in the early 2000s as an automated method of reading the then-newly ICAO-mandated e-passports.
All eGate systems require the use of an e-passport that is machine readable or an identity card. Some countries permit only specific nationalities to use the automated border crossing systems, e.g. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens or AUS/CAN/JPN/KOR/MYS/NZL/SGP/GBR/USA passport bearers, etc. For all other nationalities, citizens must go to immigration officers to be questioned and then have their passports stamped. They come in different configurations, including a gate, kiosk and gate, or mantrap kiosk, and the process for each setup is the same for departing and arriving passengers.
In the gate configuration, an incoming passenger places their passport data page either on or under a scanner, looks at a camera that will take a live picture to compare to the picture in the passport, and walks through a set of barriers that will open if the citizen's identity is verified. At either the passport scan or photo stage, if either identity cannot be verified or a malfunction happens, an immigration officer will step in at that point. Fingerprint and/or iris scans can also be taken depending on the system. In the kiosk and gate configuration, a passenger approaches a kiosk for a facial, finger and passport scan. They then proceed to a set of doors and pass through using their fingerprint. In the mantrap kiosk configuration, a passenger walks through a first set of barriers to a kiosk for a facial, finger and passport scan. They then proceed out through a second set of barriers.
The number of e-gate units deployed globally is expected to triple from 1,100 in 2013 to more than 3,200 in 2018, according to a 2014 report by Acuity Market Intelligence. Most e-gates have been deployed in airports in Europe, Australia and Asia.
Privacy issues Automated border control systems typically collect personal information such as the information on the biometric page of the passport: name, sex, date of birth, passport number, passport photograph, nationality, and the country of origin of the passport.
Other information may also be collected, such as travel details, and the facial biometric template.
Travellers' passport booklets are typically no longer stamped if they are processed by eGates.
Australia
SmartGate is an automated self-service border control system operated by the Australian Border Force and located at immigration checkpoints in arrival halls in eight Australian international airports. SmartGates allow Australian ePassport holders and ePassport holders of a number of other countries to clear immigration controls more rapidly, and to enhance travel security by performing passport control checks electronically. SmartGate uses facial recognition technology to verify the traveller's identity against the data stored in the chip in their biometric passport, as well as checking against immigration databases.
Travellers require a biometric passport to use SmartGate as it uses information from the passport (such as photograph, name and date of birth) and in the respective countries' databases (i.e. banned travellers database) to decide whether to grant entry or departure from Australia or to generate a referral to a customs agent.
Eligibility The SmartGates require travellers to look as much like their passport photo as possible, which may require removing accessories such as glasses, hats, or masks when using the SmartGate.
Requirements Departing travellers, regardless of age and nationality, can use the SmartGates if they have an ePassport or machine-readable passport and can independently use the machine.
As of June 2025, previous eligibility criteria for arriving travellers based on nationality have been removed. All travellers holding an ePassport or machine-readable passport are now eligible to use arrival SmartGates - regardless of nationality.
Children aged seven and over may also use arrival SmartGates and kiosks when entering Australia, provided they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, possess an ePassport, and are taller than 110 cm.
Exceptions There are a number of notable exceptions when entering and departing Australia and using SmartGate.
If airline crew meet the above requirements they are also eligible to use SmartGate or they may continue to use the "crew lane". Australian and New Zealand citizens travelling on military orders may not use SmartGate upon arrival.
Locations In Australia, SmartGates are available at the ten following international airports: Adelaide Avalon Brisbane Cairns Canberra Darwin Gold Coast Melbourne Perth Sydney
History The first trials of SmartGate began in 2002 with Qantas aircrews. The trials were expanded in 2004 to include over 1,000 Qantas platinum frequent flyers, and in 2007 it was launched to the public at Brisbane Airport.
Since October 2005, Australia has issued only biometric passports, called ePassports. As the validity of Australian passports do not exceed 10 years, all previous Australian passports have now expired and are now biometric.
In May 2015, the Australian Government announced that SmartGate will be launched at air and sea ports, using solely biometrics to identify and process arriving passengers, with a goal of processing 90% of air travellers automatically by 2020. The introduction of biometric arrivals, under the Seamless Traveller initiative, is expected to cost approximately AUD93.7m over 5 years and be completed by March 2019.
A phased rollout of new SmartGates for international arrivals commenced in late 2022 and was completed in 2024. Since June 2025, all travellers aged over 7 years, regardless of nationality, are eligible to use the automated SmartGates when entering Australia.
Bahrain Bahrain International Airport has 12 departure e-gates and 8 arrival e-gates with a total number of 20 e-gates. They require taking photos or fingerprints depending on the directions the machine prompts for passengers. Those currently eligible to use the e-gates are Bahrain citizens and residents with valid passports or valid ID Cards, citizens of GCC Member States with valid passports and visitors with valid multi-entry visas, after a successful first arrival through a physical counter (Does not apply to citizens of Belarus, Iran, Kosovo and North Korea)
Brazil Brazil has eGates at Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport and São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport.
Canada
Most major Canadian airports use Primary Inspection Kiosks to screen returning Canadian citizens and permanent residents. These machines have meant that there is no longer a requirement at most major airports to complete a customs declaration form for returning citizens and residents. These machines take a photo, but may also require a fingerprint if the individual is not a Canadian citizen. These machines have been heavily criticized by travellers as the setup of these machines creates disruptive passenger flow (as opposed to eGates elsewhere), in addition to the printing of the receipt at the end of the inspection process, negating the original intent of cutting the use of paper.
Travellers must present their receipt obtained from the Primary Inspection Kiosk to a border officer, who will triage in seconds, whether the traveller needs to line up to speak with a border officer for further questioning. The border officer assigned to triage may ask the traveller a question or two, but often directs passengers almost immediately after seeing the traveller's form.
eGates were introduced in Terminal 1 of Toronto Pearson International Airport in June 2022 as part of a pilot project with the aim of reducing delays. eGates, however, still require travellers to speak to a border officer after completing their declaration.
Members of the NEXUS program for trusted travellers may use a special lane with different requirements for identification.
China
E-channel is a self-service immigration clearance system established by China Immigration Inspection at mainland China's entry and exit ports. This system compares the biometric features of eligible travelers with the biometric information stored in their travel documents or registered with the border inspection authorities, directly completing identity verification and document inspection. The entire process takes an average of 6 to 10 seconds.
Eligibility
Requirements Aged 7 or above; Height above 1.2 meters; Have registered facial and fingerprint data; Holders of the following valid documents:
Chinese passport Exit-Entry Permits for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with valid endorsement Taiwan Travel Permit with valid endorsement(Excluding Tour Group (L) endorsement） with multiple valid endorsement Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident1 Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident (non-Chinese Citizen)1 Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Resident1 Exit and Entry Permit valid for one year multiple exit and entry (usable only at designated checkpoint both manual or automatic inspection channels)1 Foreign ePassport with a Residence Permit For Foreigner in The People's Republic of China valid for more than 6 months1 Foreign Passport (ePassport and other types of machine readable passport) with one of following documents: Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card1 For foreign airline crew, a passport eligible for visa-free entry or hold a crew visa (C), work visa (Z), or residence permit valid for more than one year.1 1 - Holders of the above documents should apply and register facial and fingerprint data at designated checkpoints.
Foreigners who meets the above requirements to entry via E-channel, may be exempted from filling in the Arrival Card.
Document-Free Channel
Starting November 20, 2024, individuals aged 14 or above who hold the specified documents and have had their facial and fingerprint information registered may use facial recognition in place of presenting documents to pass through the Document-Free Channel at Shenzhen Bay Port or Zhuhai Gongbei Port Since November 5, 2025, "Document-Free Channel" is started to apply at 12 checkpoints open for navigation and passage with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions.
The service is deployed at the following checkpoints: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Xiamen Wutong Ferry Terminal Guangzhou Guangzhou Nansha Ferry Terminal Shenzhen Bay Port Shenzhen Huanggang Port Shenzhen Luohu PortShenzhen Liantang Port Shenzhen Futian Port Shenzhen Wenjindu Port Zhuhai Gongbei PortZhuhai Hengqin Port Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port
The service is for holders of the following documents: Exit-Entry Permits for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with multiple valid stay(D), family reunion(T), business(S), talent (R)or other(Q) type of endorsements Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident (non-Chinese Citizen) 5-year valid Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Resident