Help & Guidance

Technical Support

You are required to complete a GAR prior to your departure. For information about this process please see the following information

General Support

Please do not contact GAR Support for passenger related queries. If you have a query regarding a response message and you are unable to determine whether an individual has a valid permission to travel, please see 'Response Messages' section on this page.
If you need more help, email uptqueries@homeoffice.gov.uk

You can get support with using the service by emailing the Submit a GAR support team by emailing us at:

GARSupport@Homeoffice.gov.uk

Exceptional Circumstances

If, due to bad weather or technical issues, a flight is forced to change its arrival location in-flight, the following process may be followed:

1. Provided it is practicable to do so, the change may be notified to the HMRC National Co-ordination Unit (NCU) by calling +44 300 123 2012.
2. If this is not possible, the pilot must divert to the alternative customs and excise designated aerodrome specified on the flight plan.
3. Flights which the pilot is required to notify in accordance with the Terrorism Act 2000 must use the alternative police designated aerodrome specified on the flight plan. If circumstances mean the pilot is unable to divert to the alternative customs or police designated aerodrome specified on the flight plan, the pilot must redirect to the nearest available airfield, submit a new report and contact local Border Force on arrival.

Further information about reporting in exceptional circumstances in respect of delayed flights can be found in the General Aviation Guidance on Providing information about international general aviation flights - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Passenger Support

Checking Passport / Travel Documents

Pilots, operators and agents responsible for carrying an individual to the UK are expected to make sure that:

• Every individual onboard has a valid passport or travel document which is acceptable in the UK.
• The person is the rightful holder of the passport or travel document.

For more information on checking passports and travel documents click here Guidance on examining identity documents (publishing.service.gov.uk)

For visa nationals, pilots, operators and agents responsible for carrying an individual to the UK are expected to make sure that:

• The visa is valid for the holder.
• The date from which the visa is valid.
• The date of expiry of the visa.

Follow this link to check visa requirements Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Follow this link for more information on checking immigration documents Charging Guide Procedures – A Guide for Carriers.

Follow this link for more information on visa nationals Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you need more help, email uptqueries@homeoffice.gov.uk

Response Messages

We have introduced Response Messages to sGAR from January 2024. These messages apply to UK inbound journeys, outside of the Common Travel Area, and will confirm whether an individual has a valid permission to travel to the UK or if you need to conduct a manual check for a visa.

Whenever you submit data for an individual travelling on a flight coming to the UK using sGAR we will return a response; the response will be displayed on the sGAR service.

From January 2024 you will see one of the following responses for each UK inbound passenger.

If you need more help, email uptqueries@homeoffice.gov.uk

Response Message	Action
Valid permission to travel	The Home Office can find a valid permission to travel for the person. Pilots, operators and agents are not required to check visas, but Passport or Travel Document checks still apply. They must check that the passport or travel document presented is genuine and valid, and that the person is the rightful holder. For more information on checking passports and travel documents click here Guidance on examining identity documents (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Authority to carry granted	Pilots, operators and agents are required to check visas for Visa Nationals. Passport or Travel Document checks apply for all passengers. They must check that the passport or travel document presented is genuine and valid, and that the person is the rightful holder. For more information on checking passports and travel documents click here Guidance on examining identity documents (publishing.service.gov.uk) Follow this link to check visa requirements Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Authority to carry refused. DO NOT BOARD.	This response message will not be displayed on the screen. Pilots, operators and agents will be instructed not to board an individual (NO BOARD) via a call and email when Authority to Carry (ATC) has been refused.