Business travellers from 40 countries can now benefit from faster entry to the UK following the expansion of the government’s Registered Traveller service.
From today (October 5), frequent travellers to the UK from 15 new countries will be eligible to apply for membership of the service, which the government says brings the potential for improved trade and tourism links.
Registered Traveller entitles approved members who have undergone enhanced security checks to faster entry at the UK border through access to the ePassport gates – if the holder has an ePassport – or the UK/EU passport line. To be eligible to apply, passengers must hold a visa or have visited the UK at least four times in the past two years. Applications cost £70 for the first year, then £50 to renew every 12 months.
New countries covered by the service are Andorra, Bahamas, Botswana, Holy See (Vatican City), Macao, Maldives, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga and Trinidad & Tobago.
Nations already covered by the programme include the USA, Australia, Canada and Japan. The service, which was originally only open to adults, has also been extended to travellers' dependants aged 0 to 17 and family members.
gov.uk/registered-traveller