Biometric immigration control: Now live at Heathrow :: PublicTechnology.net :: e-Government & public sector IT news + job vacancies:

Frequent travellers from the UK and abroad ought to benefit from a faster, biometric way to pass through immigration control with new technology is launched at Heathrow Terminal 1 at the end of last week.

The Iris Recognition Immigration System ( IRIS ) will now enable registered passengers to enter the UK without queuing to see an immigration officer at passport control. Instead individuals signed up to the scheme will be able to walk up to an automated barrier, simply look into a camera and if the system recognises them enter the UK, leaving immigration officers to concentrate on other priorities.

This biometric technology works by photographing a passenger's iris patterns and storing the data in a database, together with their passport details. Only those individuals who have had their details authenticated by an immigration officer are able to use the technology. As no two iris patterns are alike, the system will quickly and securely recognise each registered individual when they look into the camera.

Terminal 1 is the third terminal at Heathrow to benefit from the new technology, which was introduced in Terminals 2 and 4 in June 2005.

Speaking at the launch Immigration Minister Tony McNulty said:
"For the first time frequent travellers and non EU citizens will be able to enter the country via Terminal 1 quickly and securely by using IRIS technology.

"With over 97 million people entering the UK in 2005, it is important that the UK remains at the forefront of the latest technology in immigration controls and the Government's commitment to project IRIS demonstrates that.

"Secure and effective border controls are vital to safeguard our citizens against terrorism, serious and organised crime and illegal immigration, while at the same time facilitating entry for legitimate travellers."

In welcoming the Home Office initiative, British Airways manager for Government Affairs, Jim Forster, said:

"Iris recognition will compliment other BA initiatives such as check-in online and print your own boarding card from home which substantially reduces the amount of time our customers need to spend in queues at the airport."

IRIS is part of the e-Borders programme - a partnership between the Home Office, border control, law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

IRIS is currently in operation at Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 4 and will be installed at Gatwick North and South, Heathrow Terminal 3, Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester Terminals 1 and 2 during 2006.

The pilot for IRIS began at Heathrow Terminals 2 and 4 in June 2005. The incidents in London in July 2005 caused the enrolment facilities to be closed. They re-opened on 3 January this year.

A one-off enrolment for IRIS takes about 5 minutes and is free. Registration is conducted by immigration staff in the departures area of the airport.

IRIS is part of the e-Borders programme. e-Borders is a joint initiative co-ordinated by the Home Office in partnership with key border control, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The e-Borders system aims to:
> provide a co-ordinated and integrated approach to meeting the requirements of the border control, law enforcement, intelligence and visa issuing agencies in relation to the entry and exit of people to and from the UK;
> enhance the security of the UK through the provision of improved intelligence and information on traveller movements;
> provide the systems to support the operation of more efficient processes for the management of resources utilised on UK border control activity; and
> provide technology systems to support the more efficient management of passengers through UK border control.

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