Passports & Visas
Entering the United Kingdom

Passports
Passports should be valid until at least six months after the intended departure date. Required by all visitors, as the UK is not a signatory of the Schengen Accords allowing EU citizens to enter without a passport.

Visa
Visas are required by all, except nationals of North America, Australasia, Japan and other EU members. For further exceptions and advice visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk/ (includes application forms). All visas must be applied for before travelling.
In 2003, the UK introduced a requirement for visas for Jamaicans entering the UK.

At present, citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA are given, at their point of arrival, 'leave to enter' the UK for up to six months but are prohibited from working unless they secure a work permit. If you're a citizen of the EU, you don't need a visa to enter the country and may live and work here freely for as long as you like. Visa regulations are always subject to change, so it's essential to check with your local British embassy, high commission or consulate before leaving home. Immigration authorities in the UK are tough - dress neatly and be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself. A credit card and/or an onward ticket will help.

Visa Extensions
Tourist visas can only be extended in clear emergencies (e.g. an accident, death of a relative). To extend your stay in the UK, ring the Visa & Passport Information Line (Tel: +44 (0)870 606 7766 or +44 (0)20 8649 7878; the Home Office's Immigration & Nationality Directorate, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Rd, Croydon CR9 2BY; rail East Croydon; 1000-noon and 1400-1600 Mon-Fri) before your current visa expires.

Student Visas
Nationals of EU countries can enter the country to study without formalities. Otherwise you need to be enrolled in a full-time course of at least 15 hours per week of weekday, daytime study at a single educational institution to be allowed to remain as a student. For more details, consult the British embassy, high commission or consulate in your own country.