IRIS

[mizzy]

now wouldn't this be a dream if we could reverse this and get into the states as a visitor using this IRIS technology?

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There's little worse when you want to get home as fast as possible, than waiting in a queue at airport Immigration, as I'm sure you would agree.

Fortunately, there is a way to quicken your exit from the airport - the UK Immigration Service's new IRIS programme. This is a service where you register the iris of your eye, which is then photographed when you go to new unmanned Immigration barriers, alongside the existing Immigration barriers. The barrier then opens and lets you through. The exit process takes just two seconds.

CAN I USE IRIS?

You can apply to use IRIS if you are:


a permanent resident of the UK;
permitted to enter or remain in the UK for more than six months and you have more than two months left of your leave to enter or remain;
holding a current entry clearance that is effective as leave to enter the UK and the entry clearance's validity has more than two months left;
a short-term visitor to the UK and you can demonstrate you have been granted leave to enter the UK as a visitor on at least two occasions in the last six months, or four occasions in the last 12 months;
IRIS is already available in Manchester and will commence operation at London Heathrow Terminal 3 on 30 May 2006. IRIS is due to be rolled out at the other London Heathrow terminals, London Gatwick, Stansted and Birmingham very soon.

All you have to do to take advantage of this service is register by going to the designated area of the Terminal 3 departure lounge at Heathrow. The process takes just five minutes as Home Office immigration officers record your passport information and UK immigration status on a database along with a photograph of your iris pattern.

The process has been designed by the Home Office, is safe and efficient, and, presently, is completely free.

So, why not get register and beat those queue blues?

To obtain more information on the IRIS Programme, visit www.iris.gov.uk

mizzy

[pieman790]

Does anybody know where abouts it is at Manchester airport as i would not mind registering. We arrived back last week and had to wait almost 15 mins just to get through immigration. Non EU Foreign nationals however were almost walking straight through.

[blott]

If you are in Manchester Terminal 1:
The enrolment station is near gate 20.
This enrolment station will normally be open between 07:15 and 20:45

If you are in Manchester Terminal 2:
The enrolment station is on your right as you enter the shopping area.
This enrolment station will normally be open between 07:15 and 20:45

The opening hours will be kept under review and are likely to be extended. Any changes to the opening hours will be published here. http://www.iris.gov.uk/

Am I going mad or was something this introduced some time ago with a £85 charge for frequent travellers?

[MarkJan]

Thanks for the info. Looks like a trip to Manchester Airport is on the cards. We had a 45 minute wait to get back in the country last time!

My hubby has done this[msnwink]

He also did something similar in Chicago, the booth registers your eyes and finger prints[msnsmile]

[wrpac00]

Can't say I have ever had a problem with waiting to get back through Gatwick, certainly haven't had the problem in the last 2 years as we have travelled PE with Virgin and been first off of the plane.