How Do I Become a Registered Traveller?

The Registered Traveller service allows for faster entry into the UK at some airports and train stations.

Members may use either the UK passport entry lanes, EU passport entry lanes or ePassport gates if you have a biometric or chipped passport.

You’ll also need to carry your visa or biometric residence permit, if you have one.

Registered Travellers do not have to fill in a landing card, undergo interviews or have fingerprints taken as a visa holder when they travel to the UK.

Note that passport holders from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States are no longer eligible for the Registered Travellers service and may freely use ePassport gates.

Page Contents

• Overview of the Registered Traveller Service
• Who is Eligible for the Registered Traveller Service?
• Where Can I Use the Registered Traveller Service?
• How Do I Apply to Become a Registered Traveller?
• What Are the Fees and Processing Times?
• Can I Add Children to My Registered Traveller Membership?
• How Do I Apply to Add Children to My Membership?
• What are Fees and Processing Times for Children?
• How Can IAS Help?

To be able to become a Registered Traveller, you must be 18 or older and have either:

• Valid visa or entry clearance
• Visited the UK at least 4 times in the last 24 months

Note that you must have entered the UK from another country for this to count. Passing through the UK on your way to another country does not count as having visited the UK.

You must also be an eligible passport holder from one of the following countries:

Registered Travellers can benefit from faster entry into the UK at the following airports:

In addition, Registered Travellers can use the service at the following Eurostar terminals:

• Brussels
• Lille
• Paris

You must apply to become a Registered Traveller online on the gov.uk website.

To apply, you will need your passport number, passport expiry date and a credit or debit card to pay the fee.

Applying through the online form is very simple and should only take around 5-10 minutes.

Once you’ve applied, the UK government will conduct some background checks and will make a decision on your application within 10 working days.

If your application is accepted, the next time you travel to the UK you must go through the ‘other passports’ lane.

The immigration officer will check that you meet the criteria and tell you if you can become a member. Your 12 month membership will start on the day you submitted your application.

It costs £70 to become a Registered Traveller for 12 months.

This includes a non-refundable £20 administration fee. If your application to become a Registered Traveller is declined, you will receive a £50 refund.

After the initial 12 month period, it will cost £50 to renew your membership for another year.

It will cost £20 if you get a new passport and need to update your details. Note that you will need to do this before you travel to the UK.

It won’t cost anything to update your details if your visa or immigration status changes.

Registered Traveller memberships are usually processed within 10 working days.

Registered Traveller members can add children to their membership as long as they have 29 days or more remaining in it.

The child must also be 17 or under, have a passport from an eligible country, and have a UK visa or entry clearance, if they’re not applying as a visitor.

Your child’s membership will expire at the same time as yours. However, you will need to renew or update your and your child’s memberships separately.

Once you’ve added the child to your membership, they can also travel with their other parent as long as they’re also a member. Before they travel together, you’ll need to email the Home Office with full names and Registered Traveller numbers for:

• You
• Your child
• Your child’s other parent

You must apply online through the gov.uk website to add children to your membership. You will need your Registered Traveller number, child’s passport number and expiry date and a credit or debit card for this.

You will also need to apply and pay for each child separately.

If your application is successful, the first time you and your child travel to the UK you must both go through the ‘other passports’ lane together.

You may have to prove the relationship between you and any children travelling with you by providing:

• A birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship to the child
• A divorce or marriage certificate if you’re the parent but have a different surname to the child

The immigration officer will then confirm your child has been added to your membership.

For each child that’s added to your membership, you will need to pay a membership fee of £2 a month, as well as a non-refundable £20 administration fee.

The membership fee is only payable for the duration of the validity of your membership. For example, if you have 5 months left on your membership, you will pay £10.

It will also cost £20 to update your child’s passport details if they get a new passport.

It won’t cost anything to update your child’s details if their visa or immigration status changes.

Adding a child to your Registered Traveller membership will usually be processed within 10 working days.