Customs and immigration

Passports

Your passport or EEA National Identity Card must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK.

Visas

You may need to acquire a visa before you travel to Britain, if you are not a British citizen or a citizen of one of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

Nationals from some countries will need a visa whatever the reason they are travelling to the UK, while nationals from other countries may only need a visa for a particular reason; for example, to marry and live with a British citizen.

If you have a valid passport and UK visa, you will normally be granted entry to the UK. When you arrive in Britain your visa tells UK immigration:

• The reason you are travelling to Britain
• How long you are allowed to stay
• The last day you are allowed entry
• Entry clearance follows strict rules and procedures.

For full details about visa requirements and application procedures, visit UK Visas.