Can I register for IRIS?
This page explains who can register for the iris recognition immigration system (IRIS). For information about what IRIS is, see Iris recognition immigration system (IRIS).
Amendment to the enrolment criteria
The UK Borders Act 2007 imposes a duty on the UK Border Agency to have regard to the code of practice for keeping children safe from harm in the exercise of its functions. With the increasing numbers of IRIS enrolments, it is becoming more difficult to identify children who may be at risk. In view of this and the forthcoming introduction of the above code of practice, a decision has been taken to restrict use of the IRIS facility to adults (18 and over). This will ensure that every child is presented to a border force officer, where any risks to the child's welfare will be considered.
With immediate effect, children enrolled on the IRIS system will no longer be able to utilise this service. The UK Border Agency would like to apologise for the inconvenience that this may cause.
You can apply to register for IRIS if you are in one of the following categories:
- are over the age of 18;
- are a permanent resident of the United Kingdom;
- are exempt from immigration control (this means you have no restrictions on your ability to enter and leave the United Kingdom or how long you can stay here);
- are a British citizen or you have the right to live and work (right of abode) in the United Kingdom or are a citizen of a country in the European Economic Area or Switzerland;
- are a family member of a person who is a citizen of the European Economic Area or Switzerland and that person is living in the United Kingdom;
- have permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom (known as 'leave to enter or remain') for more than six months and that permission will continue to be valid for more than two months at the time of registration;
- hold a current visa or permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as entry clearance) and it will continue to be valid for more than two months at the time of registration; or
- are a short-term visitor to the United Kingdom and can show you have been given permission to enter the country as a visitor at least twice in the past six months, or four times in the past 12 months at the time of registration.
If you do not meet one of the requirements above, you will not be able to register for IRIS but you will still be able to enter the United Kingdom through the normal border controls by showing your passport to the border force official.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses
You can use IRIS if you wear glasses or plain contact lenses.
You will be asked to take off your glasses when you first register, but you can keep them on when you pass through the barrier. However, you cannot wear sunglasses as you pass through the barrier.
You will not have to take out your contact lenses when you register, and you can keep them in when you pass through the barrier unless they are coloured or patterned. Coloured and patterned contact lenses will prevent the IRIS camera from taking a clear photograph of your iris, and you will not be able to pass through the barrier.
If you have a physical disability
We will do everything that is reasonably possible to enable people with disabilities to use IRIS. If we cannot give you access to it by making reasonable adjustments, we will ask you to continue to use non-IRIS border controls.