Print 
Email
Border Controls & Immigration Issues
e-BORDERS
The e-Borders (electronic borders) programme is a combined programme by the Immigration authorities, Police, and HM Revenue & Customs, to implement much stronger border control measures, both in and out of the UK. The lead department is the UK Border Agency, part of the Home Office.
The e-Borders team has established a programme of engagement with principal stakeholders, and BAR UK is playing a major part in that engagement.
To be introduced progressively between 2008 and 2013, e-Borders requires specified travel information to be transmitted by carriers to the authorities in advance of travel.
The Government's own Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) revealed that, in the first 10 years, airlines will need to spend GBP450 million, for which the only tangible benefit might be getting rid of yellow landing cards (savings of GBP0.66m).
Right now, the e-Borders regime is imposing massive costs on airlines, without any benefits for them, or the travelling public.
To offset these huge costs, BAR UK has been calling for efficiencies and benefits such as speedier immigration processes, faster and more effective decision-making in respect of passengers refused entry, and the elimination of 'Presenters' (see below) which costs millions every year. The Home Office has yet to provide any meaningful solutions.
