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Iris recognition immigration system (IRIS)

This section explains what the iris recognition immigration system (IRIS) is, who can register for IRIS and how to register.

IRIS changes for South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Bolivia and Venezuela

The UK Border Agency has introduced new visa regimes and changed the IRIS enrolment criteria for passport holders from South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Bolivia and Venezuela.

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IRIS is a means of border control that allows registered passengers to enter the United Kingdom quickly through automated barriers at certain airports. It makes use of the fact that the pattern of the iris in each person's eye (the coloured part of the eye) is unique. This makes it possible for a person to be identified simply by looking into a special camera.

Iris recognition is a form of biometrics that is a fast, secure and fraud-resistant way to check a person's identity. Biometrics is the science of using digital technology to recognise a person from a physical characteristic (for example a fingerprint or iris pattern) or another unique personal characteristic (for example a voice pattern or handwriting).

The IRIS system uses a photograph of the iris pattern, converts it into a digital code and then compares it with others stored in a secure database. When it matches the captured iris pattern with the corresponding one on the database and the registration is still valid, that person can enter the United Kingdom by passing through the IRIS barrier located in the immigration arrival hall.

It usually takes between five and 10 minutes to register for IRIS. A registered traveller entering the United Kingdom can cross an IRIS barrier in about 20 seconds.

IRIS is operating at the following United Kingdom airports:

  • all five Heathrow terminals;
  • Manchester terminals 1 and 2;
  • Birmingham terminal 1; and
  • Gatwick North and South terminals.

For information on registering with IRIS, including who can register, and where and how to register, see Registering for IRIS.

For information on how to use IRIS once you are registered, see How do I use IRIS to enter the United Kingdom?

For a full, technical description of the IRIS scheme, see the IRIS scheme definition document (PDF 93K opens in new window).

For information on what to do if your circumstances change after you have registered, see What if my circumstances change?

If the information in these pages does not answer your question, you can contact us about IRIS. You will need to include your full name, date of birth, nationality and if already registered on IRIS your registration ID number.

If your question is not about IRIS, you can find contact details for other areas of our work in Contact.