UK sGAR: Key Tips for Operators Managing Changes

UK sGAR: Key Tips for Operators Managing Changes – The UK sGAR process is by now fully operational following a few months of flexibility, when a generous amount of latitude was given to operators falling short of the requirements.  

Significant changes were implemented regarding required documentation for passengers traveling to the United Kingdom on June 2 this year. Understanding them is vital for a smooth, compliant arrival process. So, whether you manage executive jet operations, dispatch flights to the UK, or support passengers, here are expert tips for flawless sGAR compliance. 

What does sGAR invalidate?  

These documents can no longer be used as evidence of permission to travel to the UK, regardless of whether the individual holds legal UK immigration status. 

1. Expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) 

1. Expired EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Cards (EUSS BRCs) 

How to now verify permission: 

Operators need to use the sGAR Web User Service, here’s how it works.  

If the Home Office confirms a valid eVisa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), UK sGAR returns a “Valid Permission to Travel” confirmation. 

Then no further visa or documentation checks are required, however it must be confirmed that the passenger holds a valid passport.  

While digital status is becoming the norm, some travellers may hold only a physical document. In these cases sGAR will return: “Authority to Carry Granted”. 

Acceptable physical documents include: 

• Valid visa vignette 

• Wet ink immigration endorsement 

• Valid biometric residence card (unexpired) 

 The UK-issued travel documents that remain valid and don’t require further evidence for entry are:  

• Refugee Travel Documents – UK Home Office

• Stateless Persons Travel Documents – UK Home Office

• Certificates of Travel – UK Home Office

Please note that similar documents from other countries are not acceptable. 

Our key tips for operators  

• Watch out for passengers with long names that could be misspelt. Also, pay attention to disparities between the native character set and the English character set, though both appear on passports. These could be reasonably put down to “finger trouble”, which may be looked on more sympathetically. 

• UK sGAR must be uploaded at least two hours before departure for the UK (not arrival to the UK), this is the timeframe the authorities need to ensure that everyone travelling is entitled to enter the UK.  

• Everyone travelling needs to be on the sGAR, but the sGAR can have more people on it than those travelling. So, if there is a doubt that someone may travel, it’s best to include them.   

• Having the sGAR accepted is not a guarantee that passenger can enter, it just means they can travel. They can still be refused entry for some other reason when they arrive. 

• Also, the sGAR needs to be submitted for departure as well as arrival. 

The UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub provides 24/7 operator support:

• UK phone: 0300 369 0610 
• International phone: +44 204 619 6020 

For more on the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization system (ETA), check out our blog here.  

For support with UK sGAR and your flight operations to the UK, contact UAS