The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has announced civil service strikes that will impact Border Force operations on February 1 and 2.
The action could bring chaos to international arrivals at all UK air and maritime ports.
The Government has indicated that it will call on military personnel and even volunteers to try to minimise disruption to the travelling public.
This means those travelling to the UK from UK border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in Northern France are likely to be affected.
Travellers are being warned to prepare for disruption.
A Home Office statement said: “Military personnel, civil servants and volunteers from across government are being trained to support Border Force at airports and ports across the UK in the event of potential strike action.
“Border Force are ready to deploy resource to meet critical demand and support the flow of travellers and goods through the border, however those entering the UK should be prepared for potential disruption.
“Border Force and industry work together very closely at a local and national level to agree plans for pressures while keeping the public safe and ensuring critical goods such as medicines and food can continue to flow across the border.”
Advice for people entering the UK:
Hauliers – impact of strike action:
Hauliers who are moving goods during the proposed strike action should be prepared for potential disruption and longer queues at ports and inland border facilities.
Please check with your operator before travelling, be prepared for delays and carefully plan your movements if they coincide with days of strike action.
Border wait times:
As you’d expect, accurate queue time data can take some time to gather and check, however if you are travelling during the proposed strike dates be prepared for longer wait times.
There are multiple factors that might influence wait times including an increase in passenger numbers, flight delays and flight bunching. Weather delays, and other ad hoc incidents, can also impact border control queues.
We advise travellers to check with travel agents, tour operators, and airlines / carriers before travelling, to check if the proposed strike action will affect your journey.
Passengers can also check airport websites before travelling to stay up to date with the latest information related to travel or possible delays caused by strike action.
What we are doing to avoid disruption and queues at the border during the strike action
We continue to work closely with industry to minimise disruption and delays at the border during any industrial action.
Border Force and the travel industry work together very closely at a local and national level and have regular meetings to agree plans for pressures while keeping the public safe.