US / UK 'trusted traveller' scheme

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/speedtraveluktous

Could be interesting.


Vicky

Oh man, if it had special queues like IRIS, that would be wicked!  Hope they don't just limit it to City bankers, though, but allow ALL people who travel between the US & UK frequently to participate.

I expect it may be restricted initially to family visitors and / or business visitors.

Vicky

Hmm, that's interesting...

I think those of us holding entry clearance visas in our passports (and already confirmed that we can be here!) should be able to go through quickly, no matter what country we're coming in from...I'd scan my eyeballs for that!
Maybe someday...

phatbeetle--if you hold entry clearance, you can register for Iris, and go through the quick queue. I have done it. It's great! (unless you get held up behind a really uncoordinated person as I did last time).

In fact, I was really surprised to find out that one of my colleagues from the US was able to register for Iris without having entry clearance, but just based upon the fact that he travels to the UK so often for work. So I thought this kind of procedure was sort of already in place (for business travel, anyway)--just not widely publicised.

Really? You learn something new everyday! 

Yep. Granted you can only do it at certain airports. Definitely Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham. Not sure of any others.

Just show up a bit early for your flight, and it only takes 10 mins or so to sign up (unless there is a queue). I also keep all my boarding passes (since you don't get your passport stamped) for ILR purposes, although I know a few people who have applied for ILR/citizenship who have used Iris with no problems. I just like to be safe rather than sorry.

Awesome. I am definitely going to do this. I have already travelled a lot this year and I anticipate a lot more in the future, so this will make it a bit less painful! What would I do without UK-Y!

IRIS is great, it is even faster than the "Fasttrack" queue for business class travellers.  Only problem is you can't use it with babies so those with little ones still have to wait in those long lines.  Instead of this new special service the UK immigration should make use of those special lines for people with visas, these would work if they didn't send everyone into them once the other lines got too long, grrrr!

I'm more interested in the US side of this deal.  Whereas the UK has several ways to get you through quicker, the US has none.

i love IRIS. 

I swear I remember reading that you can only apply for IRIS if you have ILR, but now I think I'm wrong??  If so, I'm registering the very next time I fly out!!

nope!  i'm on FLR(HSMP) and I applied. 

def register next time you fly.

Would it matter that I'm on a work permit?

No, you can apply.

Yay! Next time I pass through London, I'm doing it!