TRAVEL CARDS

PAPER landing cards will be phased out at the border from this summer.

Since 1971 non-European passengers have been required to complete forms with basic details about themselves and their travel.

The Treasury said the move will cut bureaucracy and speed up the processing of passengers upon arrival.

Plans to abolish the cards were first revealed in 2017, when the Home Office said the “outdated” paper system cost taxpayers £3.6million a year. Citizens of Britain’s “Five Eyes” security allies

– US,

Australia,

New Zealand and Canada – will be permitted to use e-gates at UK airports and Eurostar terminals.

Nationals arriving from key UK trading partners Japan, Singapore and South Korea will also benefit.

Until now, only citizens from European Economic Area countries have been able to use e-gates and the move could slash waiting times.