Registered travellers scheme extended – good news for some

As from 17 November, the Home Office has extended the Registered Traveller Scheme for migrants from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the US who travel to the UK frequently (at least four times a year).  Following a successful pilot, 5,000 highly valued travellers in the following categories are now eligible to apply:

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• Tier 1 visa: Exceptional Talent/Promise
• Tier 1 visa: Entrepreneur
• Tier 1 visa: Investor
• Tier 2 visa, all categories
• Sports visitor
• Tourist
• Business visitor
• Entertainer visitor
• Parents of children at school in the UK

Those eligible to enrol will be subject to extensive checks but will benefit from a speedier transit through Heathrow and Gatwick airports including being able to use ePassport gates, if they have a biometric passport, or join the queue designated for EU/EEA nationals.  In addition there will be no requirement to complete a landing card.  In the coming months the Home Office aims to extend it to other ports.

As part of the application process, applicants will first need to obtain an Invitation Code from a UK Border Force official when passing through Heathrow or Gatwick airports.  Alternatively some airlines and embassies may also issue the Code.  Once this has been obtained, applicants must submit an online application which can be accessed here.

The application fee is 50 and is non-refundable, even if the application is unsuccessful.  A decision will be issued within 10 working days.  If successful, the service can be accessed for 12 months, after which it will be possible to renew.