UK: Home Office introduces "IRIS" technology

The UK Immigration Service has embraced the latest iris scanning technology to provide a faster, more convenient way to clear immigration in the 21st century. Dubbed "IRIS" (an abbreviation for Iris Recognition Immigration System), the new technology works by taking a picture of the individual’s unique iris pattern, in order to speed up identification at the port of entry and thereby reduce passenger queuing.

Enrolled passengers will be able to enter the UK through a special automated immigration control barrier incorporating an iris recognition camera. The barrier will be located in the Immigration Arrivals Hall and will form part of Immigration and Passport Control. Once the individual is recognised by the database, the barrier will open and the individual will be allowed entrance to the UK without having to queue to see an Immigration Officer – as the Immigration Service says "it is as easy as that".

IRIS is aimed at foreign travellers who are temporarily or permanently resident in the UK and who travel to the UK frequently, including business travellers, work permit holders, overseas students, dependants, and returning residents. Currently, foreign travellers will be aware that clearing immigration can take a considerable length of time, due to the need to queue to see an Immigration Officer. Once an individual has registered to use IRIS, they will not need to queue to see an Immigration Officer ever again!

The UK Immigration Service has embraced the latest iris scanning technology to provide a faster, more convenient way to clear immigration in the 21^st century. Dubbed "IRIS" (an abbreviation for Iris Recognition Immigration System), the new technology works by taking a picture of the individual’s unique iris pattern, in order to speed up identification at the port of entry and thereby reduce passenger queuing.

Enrolled passengers will be able to enter the UK through a special automated immigration control barrier incorporating an iris recognition camera. The barrier will be located in the Immigration Arrivals Hall and will form part of Immigration and Passport Control. Once the individual is recognised by the database, the barrier will open and the individual will be allowed entrance to the UK without having to queue to see an Immigration Officer – as the Immigration Service says "it is as easy as that".

IRIS is aimed at foreign travellers who are temporarily or permanently resident in the UK and who travel to the UK frequently, including business travellers, work permit holders, overseas students, dependants, and returning residents. Currently, foreign travellers will be aware that clearing immigration can take a considerable length of time, due to the need to queue to see an Immigration Officer. Once an individual has registered to use IRIS, he will not need to queue to see an Immigration Officer ever again!

If you or your employees are interested in IRIS, we suggest you look out for the Immigration Service enrolment station and promotional materials currently on display at all major UK airports. The individual can register to join IRIS by visiting the enrolment stations in the airport departure lounge. An UK Immigration Officer will assess the application, and if the individual qualifies for the scheme, the individual’s passport confirming their immigration status in the UK (e.g. work permit) will be recorded onto a UK immigration service database. The individual will then have a photograph taken of their iris pattern on their eye and a portrait photograph taken. Registration in this manner is free, and will take about 5-10 minutes.

IRIS is now open at two operational pilot sites - Heathrow Terminal Two and Four and will enable frequent travellers to now apply for faster clearance through the UK Immigration Control. Those wishing to apply to enrol on IRIS should visit one of the two enrolment stations situated in the airport departures lounge. In Terminal Two Heathrow, once you have passed through security, follow the signs to Gate 1. The enrolment station is on the left hand side at Gate 1. The normal opening hours for the Terminal Two enrolment station are 7.00 to 21.00. In Terminal Four Heathrow, once you have passed through security follow the signs to Gates 1 to 6 and the enrolment station is near Gates 3 and 4 on the left hand side. The normal opening hours for the Terminal Four enrolment station are 7.30 to 20.00. The enrolment station opening hours are subject to change at short notice. Those seeking to apply to enrol on IRIS will need to ensure that they have their passport or other travel documents, along with satisfactory evidence of their immigration status in the UK.

IRIS will then be installed at the following terminals later in the year:

Heathrow Terminals 1 and 3
Gatwick North and South Terminals
Stansted
Manchester Terminals 1 and 2
Birmingham Terminal 1

For further information on IRIS please click here.

This article was written for Law-Now, CMS Cameron McKenna's free online information service. To register for Law-Now, please go to www.law-now.com/law-now/mondaq

The original publication date for this article was 28/06/2005.