IRIS is being replaced in the UK with Registered traveller scheme
Sep 16, 2013, 6:45 am
#1
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
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IRIS is being replaced in the UK with Registered traveller scheme
The registered traveler scheme launches 24 September 2013 and will improve the way regular visitors can pass through the UK border. It will initially be available at Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
Passengers can apply for the scheme if they:
previously registered to use IRIS;
are from the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia or New Zealand;
have completed at least 4 trips to the UK in the last 52 weeks; or
are a short term visitor to the UK aged over 18.
Eligible travelers will be able to apply and register online. More information will be available from 24 September on this webpage.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/cu...euk/usingiris/
Passengers can apply for the scheme if they:
previously registered to use IRIS;
are from the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia or New Zealand;
have completed at least 4 trips to the UK in the last 52 weeks; or
are a short term visitor to the UK aged over 18.
Eligible travelers will be able to apply and register online. More information will be available from 24 September on this webpage.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/cu...euk/usingiris/
Sep 16, 2013, 6:53 am
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
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As this topic is not specific to American Airlines, it is being moved to the U.K. and Ireland destination forum for discussion there by a wider audience.
~Microwave
AAdvantage Forum Co-moderator
~Microwave
AAdvantage Forum Co-moderator
Sep 16, 2013, 9:59 am
#5
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This is such welcome news. Visiting the UK has been painful (relatively speaking anyhow!) for me since my IRIS registration expired. On a recent visit, a UK Boarder Agency agent told me that this was coming, and I've been anxiously awaiting its arrival. I don't think it's available for UK or EU residents; I believe the idea is to allow "registered travellers" from the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to use the shorter Uk/EU resident line at immigration.
Sep 16, 2013, 11:54 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
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If so, that sounds like a smaller set of people than IRIS, which was available to not just "frequent visitors", but also residents and visa holders regardless of nationality - some of whom no doubt come through the border a lot more often than 4 times per year!
Sep 16, 2013, 11:19 pm
#8
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
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Indeed, no UK/EU passengers allowed it seems.
Sep 17, 2013, 2:42 am
#9
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I think that the argument is that UK citizens get to use the automated entry gates instead - but that assumes that there are enough of them, which is simply not the case. At T5 on Sunday, it took my wife 15 minutes to get through regular passport control, and me 20 minutes to get through the automated gate - we had a little race!
Not to say the winning mattered as it took T5 1hr 30 minutes from landing to deliver the baggage, by which time the last tubes and trains were long gone. The delights of T5 and BA.....
Not to say the winning mattered as it took T5 1hr 30 minutes from landing to deliver the baggage, by which time the last tubes and trains were long gone. The delights of T5 and BA.....
Sep 17, 2013, 5:01 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Posts: 1,251
I'm thinking about UK residents (who hold non-UK/EU passports), rather than citizens. The wording is unclear, but seems to suggest that the "Registered traveller scheme" will be for frequent short-term visitors only and not residents. I guess we'll find out when more details are posted.
Sep 18, 2013, 3:03 pm
#12
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Sep 23, 2013, 8:13 am
#13
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This morning I cleared immigation in T3. Mentioned that I missed IRIS and asked the agent about whatever was supposed to be announced tomorrow. He had no idea anything was in the works.
Sep 23, 2013, 9:25 am
#14
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