Entering the UK

Skip contents

At border control

You’ll need to show your identity document, such as your passport or national identity card.

You must:

  • have your identity document ready - remove it from a holder or wallet if you use one
  • remove your face covering or sunglasses, if you’re wearing them
  • move through passport control together if you’re in a family

If you’re travelling from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you’ll only need to show your documents if you’re stopped by a Border Force officer. Check which documents you’ll need to come to the UK.

Arriving by bus or coach

You have to leave the bus when you arrive at border control.

Make sure you:

  • are ready to get off the bus when you arrive
  • have your travel documents ready

Read the guidance for school parties and groups coming to the UK by coach.

If you’re a British citizen

You can use the UK/EEA channel to get your passport or Gibraltar identity card checked - this is usually faster than the other channels.

You can use automatic ePassport gates at some airports if your passport has a ‘chip’ on it and you’re 10 or over. If you’re between 10 and 17, you must be accompanied by an adult.

These gates use facial recognition technology to check your identity against the photo in your passport.

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

You can use the UK/EEA channel to get your passport, Irish passport card or national identity card checked - this is usually faster than the other channels.

Your passport or national identity card should be registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account if either of the following are true:

  • you have settled or pre-settled status
  • you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document when applying for a visa

You may be delayed at the border if your passport or national identity card is not registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account.

You can use automatic ePassport gates at some airports if your passport has a ‘chip’ on it and you’re 10 or over. If you’re between 10 and 17, you must be accompanied by an adult.

These gates use facial recognition technology to check your identity against the photo in your passport.

If you’re from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Your passport (and visa if you have one) will be checked at border control. You’ll usually be asked why you’re coming to the UK.

You can use the UK/EEA immigration lanes and the automatic ePassport gates if you’re from:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • United States

If you have an eVisa, sign in to your UKVI account to check that it’s linked to your current passport or travel document before you travel.

When you must not use an ePassport gate

You must see a Border Force officer and get a stamp in your passport if you are entering the UK with a Temporary Work - Creative Worker certificate of sponsorship for up to 3 months (and you want to enter without a visa).

You cannot get a stamp if you use the ePassport gates. Without a stamp you will not be allowed to carry out the activities you came to the UK to do.

Registered Travellers

You can use the UK/EEA immigration lanes and the automatic ePassport gates.

Travelling with a UK biometric residence permit

You’ll have a biometric residence permit if your fingerprints were taken when you applied.

Your fingerprints will be checked at border control - they’ll be checked against the ones stored on your visa document.

If you’re refused entry

You’ll be told in writing:

  • why you’ve been refused entry to the UK
  • if you can appeal against the decision
  • when you will be removed from the UK

You’ll usually have to leave the UK immediately.

You may be allowed into the UK temporarily (usually for up to a week) but your passport will be taken from you and you must report to immigration officers at set times.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Apply for a Short-term study visa: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you need a visa

    You might be eligible for different visas depending on why you're visiting the UK and how long for.

    1. Check if you need a visa

  2. Step 2 Prepare the evidence you need

    1. Check what you need to show evidence of
    2. Check what documents you can use as evidence
    3. Check if you need a TB test to come to the UK

  3. Step 3 Apply

    1. Apply for a visa and book an appointment £186
    2. Check where your visa appointment will be

    You should get a decision within 3 weeks of your appointment.

    You might be able to pay an extra £220 for a decision within 5 working days or £956 for a decision within 24 hours (not including weekends or bank holidays). Check with your visa application centre.

  4. Step 4 Attend an appointment

    1. What you need to prove at your appointment

    You'll be told when a decision has been made about your visa.

  5. Step 5 Get access to your eVisa

    If your application is successful, you'll get an eVisa. This is an online record of your immigration status.

    1. Get access to your eVisa by setting up a UKVI account

    You’ll need to link your travel document to your UKVI account. This should be the travel document you use to come to the UK.

    1. You may have to prove your immigration status when you travel to the UK

  6. Step 6 Travel to the UK

    1. You are currently viewing: Check what you need to show at the UK border
    2. Check what you can bring with you

    Keep the documents that prove why you're visiting the UK in your hand luggage so you can show them if asked.

    1. Check the documents you can use to show why you're visiting the UK

  7. Step 7 After you arrive in the UK

    1. Find out how to get your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you were told you'd get one when you applied

    Check your visa to find out when you must leave the UK. If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to return to the UK again.