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I had my biometrics taken in 2009 November at Birmingham airport when I was denied entry to the UK. My question is if I go this December 2019 which is more than 10 years since that date, will my biometrics still be on record as I have heard that biometric records at Heathrow are retained for a maximum of 10 years, after which they are deleted.

So this time will I get flagged up ( which I shouldn't be as it is more than 10 years since that entry denial?

lindisingh
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  • "Advance passenger information may be retained for 10 years" is mentioned in page 7 of https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/779876/borders-immigration-citizenship-system-privacy-notice.pdf you can contact your nearby uk embassy.. – Praphulla Koushik Sep 27 '19 at 16:38
  • so does that mean that my 2009 nov entry denial will not be flagged up after 10 years from that date when they scan my passport at heathrow? – lindisingh Sep 27 '19 at 16:53
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    They don't need your biometrics to know you're the same person. They also have your passport data. Any non-visa national who has an adverse immigration history is best off applying for a visit visa rather than trying to enter visa free. – MJeffryes Sep 27 '19 at 16:59
  • @lindisingh What makes you think API data is the same as denial of entry data? – Traveller Sep 27 '19 at 17:15
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    @MJeffryes The OP isn’t a non-visa national, and has a complex back story with UK Immigration https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/147201/transit-through-heathrow-will-i-be-questioned – Traveller Sep 27 '19 at 17:19
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    @Traveller Avoid transiting the UK IMO, but they've been told that before... – MJeffryes Sep 27 '19 at 17:21
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    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because with the OP’s complex UK immigration history it’s impossible to state what data will still be on file with any degree of certainty. – Traveller Sep 27 '19 at 17:24

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From this GOV document:

At the border, passenger name records data is retained for 5 years. Advance passenger information may be retained for 10 years.

Note: Just because the API isn't retained, they can still know you are the same person.

It also states:

We will keep your personal information for as long as it is necessary for permitted purposes. In the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship System, we maintain a long-term record of immigration history and immigration offending to support future decision-making and enforce penalties.

Don’t assume that your data is no longer held just because 10 years have passed. Follow gov.uk advice and apply for a visa.

Xnero
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