I just received an email from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP informed me that the United Kingdom now operates an expedited entry program called Registered Traveller. Registered Traveller is a new service launched by the UK Border Force to give faster and more convenient entry to the UK for nationals from the United States.
If you travel frequently to or through the UK, it might be a good investment for you. If you are already registered with the Global Entry program in the U.S. you are eligible to apply for membership in the UK Registered Traveller service. Membership in Registered Traveller costs £70. Complete details of Registered Traveller eligibility and availability can be found online at http://www.gov.uk/registered-traveller.
Membership in Registered Traveller include the following benefits:
· Access to ePassport gates at airports across the country
· Use of the UK / European Union queue at airports across the country
· A dedicated Registered Traveller lane at Gatwick Airport
· Not needing to complete a landing card on arrival to the UK
· No credibility interview with a Border Force officer
Apply for the Registered Traveller service to get through UK border control faster. You won’t need to fill in a landing card.
You can apply if you’re 18 or over and you’re a national of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the USA.
One of the following must also be true:
*you’ve got a visa (but not a Tier 5 concession (Creative and sporting), EEA family permit, discretionary leave or leave outside the rules)
*you’ve visited the UK 4 times in the last 52 weeks eg for business, education, tourism, education or medical treatment
You’ll be able to use the:
*ePassport gates if you have a biometric passport
*faster entry lanes at Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Manchester and Stansted airports, and Brussels, Lille and Paris Eurostar terminals
It costs £70 to apply to use the service for 1 year. If your application is unsuccessful you’ll get £50 back.
If you’re already a member and you get a new passport, you’ll need to pay £20 to update your passport details. Updating your visa information is free.
You can apply for Registered Traveller online now at http://www.gov.uk/registered-traveller.