Immigration Controls: Biometrics

We are creating a streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the border each year, and will enhance the security of the UK.

There are a number of biometric systems that are deployed at the border, primarily to ensure security, but also to facilitate a smooth flow of passengers. Examples include facial recognition performed at eGates, as well as finger-print checking by Border Force officers where a passenger is processed manually.

The majority of the checks are performed utilising the Immigration & Asylum Biometric System (IABS) and, during 2023, there were no critical incidents logged against that service.

There were a number of lower priority incidents, all of which were resolved within required timescales and appropriate business contingency measures were put in place to ensure that border security was not compromised. The specific contingency measures vary according by biometric system but, for example, where a Biometric Recording (BRS) machine is being used and it has lost connectivity to IABS, the data captured will be stored locally until it is reconnected to IABS.