Guidance

Authority to Carry Scheme 2023

The operation of the Authority to Carry Scheme prevents certain individuals from travelling to or from the UK when that is necessary in the public interest.

• From: Home Office
• Published: 3 April 2023
• Last updated: 27 July 2026 — See all updates

Documents

Authority to Carry Scheme 2023 (accessible)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-3979-8, E02880465 03/23

HTML

Authority to Carry Scheme 2023

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-3979-8, E02880465 03/23

PDF, 188 KB, 9 pages

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Details

The Authority to Carry Scheme 2023 came into force on 3 April 2023.

A carrier who comes within scope of the scheme must seek authority to carry persons on inbound or outbound journeys to and from the UK.

This scheme specifies the classes of carriers to which it applies, the classes of passenger and crew to whom the scheme applies, the persons in respect of whom authority to carry may be refused and sets out the process for carriers to request authority to carry and be informed of any refusals of authority to carry.

The purpose of the scheme is to prevent certain individuals from travelling to or from the UK when it is necessary in the public interest.

The Authority to Carry Scheme and Civil Penalties Regulations 2023 are on the government’s legislation website.

If your carrier is refused authority to carry you to the UK

If your carrier tells you they cannot carry you to the UK and you are denied boarding, the carrier should provide you with the following information:

Authority to carry refused

The UK Home Office has confirmed we do not have authority to carry to the UK. This means we must refuse to board you.

We must comply with this requirement or we will be liable under UK legislation upon your arrival in the UK. 

If you believe you have been incorrectly identified or have any questions, you should contact the Home Office Passenger Advice Line.

If you did not receive this information or the contact details for the Home Office Passenger Advice Line you should ask the carrier for it.

You may then contact the Home Office Passenger Advice Line who will be able to provide you with further advice.

If your carrier is refused authority to carry you from the UK

If your carrier tells you they cannot carry you from the UK and you are denied boarding, the carrier should provide you with the following information:

Authority to carry refused

The Home Office has confirmed we do not have authority to carry you from the UK. This means we must refuse to board you.

We must comply with this requirement or we will be liable under UK legislation upon your departure from the UK.  

If you believe you have been incorrectly identified or have any questions, you should contact the Home Office Passenger Advice Line.

If you did not receive this information or the contact details for the Home Office Passenger Advice Line you should ask the carrier for it. 

You may then contact the Home Office Passenger Advice Line who will be able to provide you with further advice.

Published 3 April 2023

Last updated 27 July 2026 — Show all updates

1. 27 July 2026

   Added guidance for when a carrier is refused authority to carry an individual to or from the UK.

2. 3 April 2023

   First published.