Travel and customs
Do I need a visa?
This section tells you what you can expect when you travel across the United Kingdom border, and explains the requirements you must meet if you want to enter or pass through the United Kingdom.
The information here is for all travellers who are passing through or crossing our border, including United Kingdom passport holders, residents and short-term visitors.
We are responsible for protecting the United Kingdom border so that authorised travellers and legitimate goods can pass freely. We do this through the work of our visa staff overseas, and the immigration and customs checks carried out by our border force at ports and airports.
If you are making a short-term visit to the United Kingdom, the section on Visitors' rights and responsibilities will tell you whether you can do business while you are here, what medical treatment is available to you, and whether you will need to register with the police.
Before you travel
This section explains who needs to apply for permission before travelling to the United Kingdom and why we collect information on passengers before they travel to and fromthe United Kingdom.
Entering the United Kingdom
This section explains what happens when you arrive at our border, how to use IRIS to enter the United Kingdom quickly,and what happens if you are refused permission to enter and whether you can appeal.
In transit through the United Kingdom
This section explains how you can pass through the United Kingdom when travelling on to another country, if you can travel without a visa under the transit without visa concession, what a direct airside transit visa is and whether you need one, and what documents you will need.
Customs
This section explains the restrictions on what you can bring into the United Kingdom, and how to go through customs controls.