Getting to the UK is about to become smoother (for some travelers)

Passport queues at Heathrow Airport in London could soon be shorter – if you're from one of five selected countries.

In the 2019 UK budget, presented on October 29, Chancellor Philip Hammond proposed adding more e-passport gates across the country’s airports.

He announced, 'We will expand e-passport gate access at Heathrow and other airports, which are currently only for EEA nationals, to also include visitors from the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.'

The EEA (European Economic Area) comprises EU member states along with Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.

Much of Hammond's budget address focused on the UK's decision to leave the European Union, commonly known as 'Brexit.' Concerns are rising that Brexit might complicate air travel to the UK.

The budget is expected to take effect by April 2019, so it's time to start planning your trips accordingly.

This announcement follows an ambitious plan to make Heathrow the world’s largest airport by 2030.

Of the five countries mentioned by Hammond, three—Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—are part of the Commonwealth.

The Henley Index, which monitors global travel access, ranks the Japanese passport as the most powerful in the world.

Japanese passport holders can travel to an impressive 190 countries visa-free, while the US and the UK share fifth place on the list.

Hammond's announcement may benefit some travelers heading to the UK, but the 120-page document has plenty of provisions that impact UK citizens as well.

Still feeling confused by all this? You're certainly not alone.

In addition to being budget day on October 29, it's also National Cat Day, so the Exchequer's official cat, Gladstone, donning a bowtie, was on hand to explain the key points.