Queuing at the port – Library Image
The French border control zone at the Port of Dover is to be expanded to reduce peak-time queues when new EU rules take effect at the end of the year.
Under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), travelers from the UK and other non-EU countries will need to register details and provide biometric data.
Home Office Minister Seema Malhotra is to allow French border officials to operate in the expanded zone, streamlining EU checks and the port is to upgrade infrastructure and changing passport control locations to improve passenger processing.
Ms Malhotra says the checks will be a “major change” to the EU border so the public should prepare for some queues during peak times when they are first introduced but said Home Office ministers were working to minimise the risk of excessive queue times as much as possible.