How to use the group travel scheme
This page explains how to use the group travel scheme to pass through immigration controls at certain ports.
You can travel under the group travel scheme if you:
- arrive in the United Kingdom as part of a group, or intending to join a group; and
- do not plan to stay for more than six months.
You do not have to register in advance or give advance notice of your arrival. This service is free of charge and replaces the Authorised Tour Group (ATG). You can join the scheme if you are a member of a:
- tourist group;
- school group;
- sports team;
- student group; or
- other group.
If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) we do not recommend group travel because you can use the EU/EEA channel for immigration clearance.
Terms explained
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European Economic Area
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.
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European Union
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.