Faster entry at the UK border now available to Maldives
Regular visitors to the UK from Maldives will be eligible to apply to join the UK’s Registered Traveller Service from October 5.
The service provides approved members who have undergone advanced security checks an expedited clearance through the UK border.
Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said:
Maldives is one of 40 countries which can now benefit from the Registered Traveller Service.
With over 81,000 people from around the world having already signed up to the service, this is a true indication that the UK is open for business and I look for-ward to watching the service grow in the future.
UK Ambassador to Maldives James Dauris said:
Many Maldivians are frequent travellers to the UK, whether on holiday, to visit family and friends or to do business. I am pleased that Maldivians will now be able to benefit from a service that we have designed to make visits to the UK even easier.
To apply to become a Registered Traveller, passengers must hold an eligible passport, have a visa for the UK or have visited the UK at least four times in the past two years.
Being a Registered Traveller allows approved members, who have undergone advanced security checks, faster entry at the UK border through access to the ePassport gates (if they hold an ePassport) or the UK/EU passport lane. They will not be required to fill in a landing card.
People who meet the eligibility criteria may apply to join the Registered Traveller Service online by providing personal and passport details. Once background checks have been carried out, if the application is successful, the applicant will be sent a provisional acceptance letter.
To validate and confirm their membership, the individual must present themselves on their next arrival in the UK to a Border Force officer where the membership process will be completed with an interview to determine the applicant’s suitability for the service and identity checks are carried out.
The Registered Traveller Service was first introduced on 8 April 2015 for applicants aged 18 and above from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. Since this launch, the service has been rolled out to a total of 40 countries and is now open to the under 18-year-old dependents of members.