Home Office unveils plans to implement Facial Age Estimation technology at border in 2027

Facial Age Estimation (FAE) uses machine learning technology to estimate an individual’s age within seconds by analysing a facial photograph without further information about the individual. It is not currently in operational use.

The Home Office said: “Using FAE provides additional information that can inform the initial age decision making process. It doesn’t automate or replace what remains an integral human decision which considers several factors such as a person’s demeanour as well as appearance.”

The Government committed to strengthening the age assessment process in its Immigration White Paper, published in May 2025, which included exploring the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Currently, age assessments of young people who are, or who claim to be, under 18 and are claiming asylum, are carried out by social workers either by direction of the local authority or by the Home Office’s National Age Assessment Board.

Raising concerns following the Home Office announcement, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) warned that using facial age estimation technology as part of age assessments for young asylum seekers who claim to be under 18, will lead to “major safeguarding mistakes”.

Prof Sam Baron, interim CEO of BASW, said: "Assessing the ages of migrants is a complex process which social workers are best placed to do. This important task should not be open to shortcuts through artificial intelligence, especially as the pitfalls of getting it wrong can lead to major safeguarding risks”.

In guidance published today (29 May) the Home Office made assurances that FAE would only be used as a “supplementary tool” for immigration officers.

It said: “It won’t be relied upon to make a definitive age decision or to replace holistic approaches such as Merton-compliant age assessments.”

According to the BBC, a total of 111,084 people claimed asylum in the UK in the year ending June 2025, 14% more than in the previous year.

In the year ending March 2026, more than 6,400 migrants claiming to be children were age-assessed at the border, with 43% found to be adults, according to Home Office data.

The full Home Office guidance on using AI to support initial age decisions can be read here.

Lottie Winson