UK to get rid of paper landing cards at borders

Nationals from seven countries are also set to benefit from ePassport gates

Finance minister Philip Hammond said PhD-level jobs would be removed from a visa cap. AFP.

Britain is set to abolish paper landing cards at UK points of entry from June and allow citizens of seven countries to use ePassport gates at airports and Eurostar terminals. The latter development will affect those from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Singapore and South Korea but the scheme could be opened to more in time.

Announcing the move amid the constant turmoil of Brexit, finance minister Philip Hammond said it was part of the government’s commitment to attracting people with the right skill set to propel the country forward regardless of their nationality.

He said it was “a sign to the world of our commitment to global Britain” and suggested more nationalities could be included in due course. PhD level jobs have also been removed from a potential UK visa cap Mr Hammond announced.

European Economic Area countries are already able to use ePassport gates

The news comes only a month after the UAE’s ambassador to London said he was engaged in extensive efforts to allow Emiratis visa-free travel to the UK, as is the case in more than 30 European countries.

Suleiman Al Mazroui, who has held extensive talks on the issue with parliament and the Home Office, said such a move would help the UK to benefit from extra business and trade.