The form I got last time I used IRIS says that my "permission to use IRIS" expires in July, 2008. I tried to check at the IRIS office at T3 on exiting but it was closed, like it so often is. Is there another way to extend this, or will it happen automatically? It saves a LOT of time at T3 generally.

Edited to add: I emailed them to ask the question as well, there was an address on the web page.

I stopped by the T1 IRIS office to ask this same question, as mine expires this year as well. They told me I would need to bring in at least 6 IRIS receipts to establish I'm a frequent visitor (I'm a US Citizen). Apparently they don't keep track of how many times you've used the barriers...

Blast - I just threw out my IRIS receipt & probably would have done so in the future. Thanks for this heads-up. But sounds a bit strange that their system wouldn't know how many times you've entered the country.

Cheers.

Of course, I have thrown out ALL my IRIS receipts! Sigh....

Receipts ? I've never seen one. Is there a slip of paper that comes out of the machine somewhere? I am normally so excited/relieved when the exit door opens, I head straight out.

Are receipts issues for people without UK visa only?

Exactly.

Better grab it next time. Once -- and only once -- there was an inspection leaving the UK at T3 where the guy demanded my IRIS receipt. Fortunately, after some fumbling, I found that I still had it!

Unfortunately, certain groups of persons who qualify to use IRIS can only be given fixed term permission to use IRIS by law.

If you have fixed term permission then there is no automatic way to extend your permission to use IRIS.

Quoting from the small print:

"After the expiry of the enrolment period or where, within the enrolment period, there has been a termination of permission to participate in the scheme, a person who wishes to continue to use the automated barriers will need to re-apply to do so at an enrolment station. His or her future participation in the scheme will be dependent on meeting the relevant criteria in place at the time."

The criteria for re-enrolment for some groups of persons includes the requirement to be able to show the enrolment officer that you have entered the UK as a visitor a minimum number of times in the last 6 months or 1 year. I assume that is why they have asked for the entry receipts of one of the posters above as proof.

Other groups of persons with fixed term permissions qualify under different criteria so I assume they wouldn't need to provide entry receipts.

It also appears that if you qualify in a fixed term permission group, unless your criteria for enrolment has changed, you can only be given another fixed term.

The small print can be found on :

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sit...irisdownloads/

and then downloading the PDF called "Scheme Definition Document"

Hope Ive got everything right

quoteing from the IRIS FAQ's on the UK Border and Immigration website:

" Will my passport be stamped?"

"No. Most people using the system will not need a stamp in their passport as they will already have leave to enter the United Kingdom. However, for those visitors who do require leave to enter, the system will generate written notice of this on each arrival into the UK in the form of a ticket that is printed after successful iris recognition. The ticket will give the conditions attached to the person's leave and will also carry a unique identity number and the passenger's details. Please note that the majority of the passengers using the barrier will not be given a ticket."

I'm guessing that the receipt is the automated version of getting an 'entry stamp' in your passport then?

If so, then people who need to prove their "frequent visitor" status to renew their IRIS permission but haven't kept their receipts are going to have to provide other proof in future!

Thanks for all the help, so far the government folks haven't answered my email. Sure would be nice if there was some way to get a printout of my entry history, I sure think it must exist somewhere.

They do definately keep records. As a British citizen I can use IRIS for an indefinate period, however if I don't use it for 2 years, then it expires, so they must know the last time indefinate users last used it.

If you are having trouble getting a copy of your record, one avenue would be to try and request a copy under the terms of the 'Data protection Act'. Under this act, they are required by law to give you a copy of all data they hold on you. I'm not 100% sure if Government agencies arn't exempt though.

Maybe -- it's unclear -- you don't need slips from previous visits. Here is the email reply from my query to the IRIS office:

Dear RichardInSF,

Thank you for your support of the IRIS system.

You will be pleased to know that your current IRIS registration actually expires on 29th October 2008 and not July as you expected. As you are already successfully enrolled on the system, you do not need to re register but may update your record by visiting any IRIS Enrolment Station prior to October this year. The Enrolment Officer may ask you some questions about travel frequency and the usual BIA checks will be done at the same time. The whole process should take less time than the original registration. Please ensure you tell the Enrolment Officer that you wish your record to be Amended.

You do not need to pay for any IRIS service - it is free of charge.

You may find it useful to print this email to take with you as reference if you do decide to update your record on your next UK visit.

Kind Regards,
IRIS person

Gives me hope, will try when I am there next in a few weeks.

Let us know how it works out. In future I'll keep receipts but I've already tossed them from previous trips. Cheers.

Will do, although the biggest hurdle may be whether the office is open or not, as I have only one UK airport departure this time. Their hours tend to be very sporadic.

I just did this and extending the permission was straightforward. Having the email must have helped, they said the signer was one of the higher-ups. The extension they can do is for 2 years from the date you come in.

They take your pic and irises all over again, compare it against what's in the system, and when it finds you, do the extension.

Also the office staff appears to have been augmented and hours extended, it is now from 0830-2200 with a 30 minute closure around 1830 (at least in T3).

Hurrah, more time on my IRIS permission!