Immigration Info UK - UK Short Travel

Please remember, whether on business or on a holiday the short-term traveller (up to 6 months stay), most visitors will be required to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. Only one visa is necessary to visit all the countries of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).

London is the usual entry point for travellers to the UK and is full of some of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions. Full of history, pubs and green parks,

Many travellers use the UK as a jumping-off point to the rest of Europe, or perhaps finish up their cross-Europe jaunt here.

Travel insurance, including maximum health care coverage, is highly recommended. Although by world standards the UK is a relatively safe country with some first-class medical services on offer, low-cost health care through the National Health Service (NHS) is only offered to UK citizens, residents and those few travellers who belong to countries with reciprocal health agreements with the UK.

The following persons have reciprocal health agreements with the UK: nationals of Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, New Zealand and Russia; residents, irrespective of nationality, of Australia, Barbados, Iceland, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Turkey.

The following persons should also check to see whether their country has a special health agreement with the UK: (1) Residents, irrespective of nationality, of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Channel Islands, Falkland Islands, Isle of Man, Montserrat, St. Helena and the Caicos Islands; AND (2) Nationals of Gibraltar, Malta, the former Soviet Union states (except Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) and Yugoslavia (including the four successor states of Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia).

There should be no problem withdrawing money from ATM’s around the UK – most accept Visa, Diners, American Express and so on.

Visitors to the UK can claim back the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all purchases made during their trip to the UK. The VAT is a 17.5% tax charged on most goods bought in shops. Visitors can save a lot through the ‘Retail Export Scheme’ operating in particular tax-free shops – which are all over the United Kingdom.

Want to live and work in the UK? The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) gives talented applicants the opportunity to immigrate to the UK.

Planning on working for a company in the UK? The Work Permit allows skilled employees to work for a company based in the UK.

Accession 8 National in the UK? You may be covered by this scheme if you want to work in the UK for more than one month.

Want to run a business in the UK? The Business Visa encourages successful business people to settle in the UK and develop new or existing businesses.

Want to be closer to your family? Under the Family class Visa, UK citizens and permanent residents can sponsor family members.

Want to join your partner/spouse in the UK? The UK Partner Visa is for people who want to come to the UK to join their partner or marry their UK fiancé.

Want to study in the UK? The Student Visa allows overseas nationals to take advantage of a UK education and even work part-time.

Want to travel to the UK? The UK Visitor Visa allows people to travel to the UK to sightsee or visit family and friends.

Grandparents born in UK? This visa is for people who want to live and work in the UK and can prove their UK ancestry.

UK Short Travel