A US-style electronic visa system will be introduced for visitors to the UK from the European Union and the Commonwealth after Brexit under Conservative plans.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation visa-waiver system will make it easier for border guards to screen arrivals and block threats from entering the UK, the party claims.
It would provide an enhanced ability to screen arrivals against watchlists and block those deemed to be a threat from entering the UK.
As the technology becomes available, a future Conservative government would hope to record biometric data – which might include elements like fingerprints or retina scans – on all ETAs to provide a further layer of security.
Introducing automated entry and exit checks and a requirement for biometric passports will enable to the government to “know who and how many people are in the country, and to identify individuals who have breached the terms of their visa and restrict illegal immigration”.
Home secretary Priti Patel said: “When people voted to leave in 2016, they were voting to take back control of our borders.
“After Brexit we will introduce an Australian-style points based immigration system and take steps to strengthen our border and improve the security of the UK.”
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