What happens at the border

When you reach border control, you will need to show:

  • your passport or identity card

You must:

  • have your passport or identity card ready - remove it from a holder or wallet if you use one
  • Ensure your have a Share Code for your eVisa ready and that your passport is correct on your UKVI account. The UKVI has made a video about travelling with your eVisa.
  • remove your face covering or sunglasses if you are wearing them
  • move through passport control together if you are in a family
  • have any documents for your visa prepared in case you are asked. This includes evidence of your English qualifications and your academic certificates as well as a copy of your CAS and your offer letter.
  • Make sure you have the address where you are staying

If you’re from an EEA country or Switzerland

The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

You may be able to use the UK/EEA channel to get your passport or identity card checked - this is usually faster than the other channels, but not all airports offer these. Be sure to check the signs displayed and ensure you are in the correct line.

Your passport or identity card should be registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account if any 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 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 12 or over. If you’re between 12 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.

You must tell a Border Force officer if you haven’t applied to the EU Settlement Scheme but are planning to apply.

If you are coming to the UK for less than 6 months and you do not require a visa, you must apply for an ETA before you travel. You should not need physical proof of this at the border as it will be electronically linked to your passport.

If you’re from a non-EEA country

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. Keep all information relating to your visa to the UK in your hand luggage so you have everything to hand to show if requested (such as your offer letter, proof of accommodation etc).

To read more about what happens on arrival go to: https://www.gov.uk/uk- border-control

After border control

After you have passed through Border Control you will then collect your luggage. Once you have all your luggage you will pass through custom control and make your way to the arrivals lounge. If you have pre-booked a taxi your driver will be waiting to meet you in the arrival lounge. Otherwise you will continue with your onward journey to your accommodation.

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