Project Iris
 

I was wondering if anyone knows the status of Project Iris in the UK?

The one at Schiphol works great, Privium, but would be good to know how to get this same thing from Project Iris in the UK.

Iris certainly exists in the UK and is very easy to sign-up for. Its only at certain airports though (London ones are LHR and LGW, but I know there's other UK ones too). I don't know the specific rules for eligibility, but signing up is free even for a USA citizen (UK work permit holder) like myself and my wife. Sadly, its only saved us time once, but that one time was probably a good hour or two of time, so I'd say it was worth it. If you search IRIS and UK on Google, I'm sure you'll turn up all the rules and stuff.

In the UK, the requirements are:

• Otherwise able to enter the UK.
• 2 entries in the last 6 months or 4 in the last year, to show you actually need IRIS.

There is no paperwork to fill out... just show them your documentation. They'll scan you, check that it properly identifies you, and then you can start using it the very next time you enter the country. It works very well for me.

Where do I need to go for it? Do I just sign up for it at Heathrow? If so, which terminal? And do you need to prove to them with boarding passes or something that you have been to the UK more than 4x in a year?

After you clear customs and security on the way out, just ask or look for a sign directiing you to the office. Very near the security entrance at T3, IIRC.
I did it at T3, but IIRC, it is in all Terminals. You may want to check out whether it is airside or landside before you go, however.
Your passport will function very very nicely for this purpose. @:-)
Be aware - there is NO 'you came very close'. Either you fit (4x/2 years, etc.) or you don't.

Best, Dave

I do the 4 VERY easily... Im in and out of there around 1-2x a month...I just dont keep the boarding passes..and my passport does not get stamped when I enter the UK... in fact, I dont even use one to get in.. Euro ID card :D but it means I still have to stand in these ques which can cause quite some delays....:mad:

BUT! Thanks for the tips though, I will keep a look out for it.... ^

Rooms and opening times are detailed here: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/man...roomsandtimes/

thanks for the info! ^

I swear by IRIS. I used it at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester a total of 77 times in 2007 without a single hitch.

The only issue is that non-EU citizens are required to retain the paper receipt provided at entry. While this is somewhat preferable to passport stamps that waste more space, once you have 77 of these it gets a little bulky to carry around.

What paper receipt! I am a non-EU citizen and the paper receipt never works at LHR!!! I've asked every time and they've just said to go . . .

I have used every machine at LHR (T1/T2/T3/T4) and have never had a problem with the receipts. However, if you do experience a problem just go to the CIO after being released by the machine and request them for a passport stamp. The receipt/stamp are your only proof of legal entry into the UK. If you need to demonstrate your travel for tax reasons or similar, these are essential.