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Where is Emirates flying to in the UK? Airline to resume flights to Manchester next month

The dubai airline is currently operating to london heathrow and birmingham under special conditions.

Emirates A380 superjumbo is once more flying from Dubai to New York, with daily double-decker flights from June 1. Unsplash

Travellers wishing to fly between Dubai and the UK this summer will have another route to get there from next month.

Emirates is set to restart flights to Manchester from Thursday, July 1. The airline plans to resume flights to the city via the world's largest passenger jet, the Airbus A380.

The resumption of the route means Emirates will be operating to three destinations in the UK this summer.

Emirates is operating daily flights to London Heathrow. The airline also operates three flights per week to Birmingham, with travellers to both cities accepted on-board under special conditions that comply with current UK travel restrictions.

From July 1, the addition of a daily flight to Manchester will give passengers a more convenient option when travelling to the north of the country.

“Emirates is operating to and from the UK, and is accepting eligible travellers to London Heathrow and Birmingham under special conditions. Understandably, the airline is serving its gateways in the UK with a reduced flying schedule due to ongoing travel restrictions in place," said an Emirates spokesperson.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Dubai airline was operating to several destinations in the UK including London Gatwick, London Luton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

While the airline is not currently operating to any of these destinations, a representative for the airline told The National that the situation remains "fluid".

Flights to other UK destinations are still available for sale on the airline's website. Emirates says it will continue to monitor and make additional adjustments to flight schedules as UK travel guidelines and entry conditions evolve.

Last week, Emirates said it planned to operate 90 per cent  of its pre-pandemic network by the end of July.

UAE remains red-listed in the UK

Travellers from 33 'red list' countries, including South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, must be quarantined in hotels rooms for 10 days at their own expense. EPA

The UAE is currently listed as red by UK authorities, meaning that travel is only open for British and Irish nationals from the UAE, or for those with residence rights in the country.

All travellers from the UAE are required to quarantine at a government-approved hotel for 11 days, at their own cost, and must have two negative PCR tests before being allowed to leave, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Emirates advises travellers to visit its website for full flight schedules to all destinations, as well as information about alternative booking plans for those with flights that have been affected by travel regulations.

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Everything you need to know about travelling from the UAE to the UK

• Why Should you Visit the UK?
• UK Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
• COVID-`19 Restrictions

United Kingdom is one of the most frequently visited destinations in Europe from the UAE. Whether you have an upcoming business trip or are heading on a family vacation, the UK has plenty to offer everyone. The rich history, lush countryside and endless diversity make it a must-visit. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about travelling from the UAE to the UK.

WHY SHOULD YOU VISIT THE UK FROM THE UAE?

The UK has so much to offer that it’s no surprise it sits near the top of many people’s ”must-visit list”. From indulging in the rich heritage and history, to peaceful walks through the beautiful countryside, you won’t be short of things to see and do.

TAKE A JOURNEY BACK THROUGH ENGLAND’S HISTORY

One of the major reasons why people travel to the UK from the UAE is to explore its fascinating history. Various galleries and museums in London, and indeed, other major cities, paint a truly fascinating picture of bygone eras. There are also countless landmarks and historical sites to visit, such as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Hever Castle, the Natural History Museum….and that’s to name but a few.

EXPLORE WALES AND SCOTLAND

Besides visiting England, Wales and Scotland are also popular amongst visitors from the UAE. From the highlands of Scotland to the majestic peaks of Snowdonia in Wales, there is some stunning natural beauty to be enjoyed. The best places to visit in Scotland and Wales include:

• Brecon Beacons National Park
• Snowdonia National Park
• Black Mountains
• Cardiff Castle
• Edinburgh Castle
• Glasgow Cathedral
• Scottish Highlands
• Isle of Skye

SHOP TILL YOU DROP IN LONDON

One of the world’s hottest destinations for high fashion, London is currently and has been home to some world-famous fashion houses and designers, such as Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood. Don’t miss out on an ultimate shopping spree in the city’s retail paradises like Oxford Street, Regent Street and Knightsbridge.

UK VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR UAE RESIDENTS

The UK visa requirements for UAE residents fall under the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme. Under the guidelines of EVW, UAE passport holders can travel to the UK without a visa for a visit that’s less than six months. However, individuals travelling from UAE to UK for marriage or civil partnership must apply for the appropriate visa.                                         

To visit the UK from the UAE under the EVW scheme, travellers are required to share travel details 48 hours prior to their departure to the UK. Once submitted, travellers can’t make any changes to the visa form. But if the information or travel details require an alteration, another Electronic Visa Waiver form must be submitted.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR TRAVELLING FROM UAE TO UK

The UK visa for UAE nationals comes under the Electronic Visa Waiver form. To travel from UAE to UK, you’ll need some paperwork that includes:

• Current passport.
• Address in the UK where you intend to stay.
• Travel itinerary with full details about your flight, ship or train with complete arrival and departure time and dates.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN (MINORS)

The online application for a UK visa from UAE is also available for minors. Here’s a list of documents required for young travellers: 

• Children aged between 0 to 17-years-old can also travel under EVW with the right travel documents.
• Written consent by parent or legal guardian is required if the children travel unattended.
• Parents or legal guardian’s full contact details.
• Evidence that suitable arrangements are made for the child to stay in the UK.
• Address where the child intends to stay.
• Name and date of birth of the intended carer.
• Relationship of the caretaker to the child.
• Authority from parents or legal guardian allowing the carer to care for the child for the duration of their stay in the UK.

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

With the recent travel restrictions the rules for international travel to the UK have changed. Now there’s a single red list of countries that’s updated as required for simplified measures. 

All passengers must complete a passenger locator form  any time in the 48 hours prior to their intended UK arrival date. Passengers are required to  declare all countries they’ve visited or transited through in the 10 days prior to their arrival on the passenger locator form.

UK VISA REQUIREMENTS FROM THE UAE FOR UNVACCINATED PASSENGERS 

Passengers travelling from the UAE to the UK are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test that’s taken within 3 days of departure to the UK. 

It’s essential to book PCR tests for day 2 and 8 before your intended arrival date into the UK from UAE.

The first test should be taken before or on day 2 and the second test should be taken on or after day 8. Your arrival date into the UK would be day 0. 

It’s also essential to complete the passenger locator form online before arrival in the UK, Passengers are also required to provide day 2 and day 8 test package booking reference into the form. 

Passengers should have plans to self-quarantine in private accommodation for 10 days after arrival into the UK.

Please note that you may be required to self-quarantine for the duration of your trip if it’s less than 10 days. 

UK VISA REQUIREMENTS FROM THE UAE FOR VACCINATED PASSENGERS 

These guidelines are for vaccinated passengers travelling to the UK from the UAE. All passengers arriving into the UK are required to take a PCR test within the 2 days preceding their arrival into the UK.

It is also mandatory to take the test after your arrival in the UK or before day 2 as the date you arrive is day 0. Complete the passenger locator form online prior to your arrival in England with day 2 test booking reference included in the form. 

Passengers should have evidence of their vaccination status throughout your travel. Those with a digital solution as proof of vaccination are advised to carry a printed copy of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate in the UAE as well. 

Passengers using a vaccine certificate as proof of vaccination must ensure it has been issued by a national or state‑level public health authority. The certificate should be in English, French or Spanish.  It should include the following information: 

• First name and surname(s)
• Date of birth
• Vaccine brand and manufacturer
• Date of vaccination for every dose
• Country or territory of vaccination and/or certificate issuer

Furthermore, passengers are required to self-isolate on arrival until the result of their day 2 PCR. If the result is negative, the visitor no longer has to self-isolate. If the test result is positive, self-isolation for 10 days is mandatory. 

These measures apply to all persons (including UK nationals and residents) arriving in the UK from outside the common travel area comprising the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the list of approved vaccines for the uk.

Passengers with travel plans to the UK from the UAE are required to be vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival into the UK. The list of approved vaccines include:

• Oxford/AstraZeneca
• Pfizer BioNTech
• Janssen (single dose vaccine)
• Sinovac-CoronaVac
• Sinopharm Beijing

WHICH COUNTRIES CAN YOU VISIT FROM THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES?

UAE residents can visit several impressive travel destinations and Georgia is one of the most popular one. It only takes about 3 to 4 hours to get there. It’s better to be informed about the COVID-19 regulations, visa requirements and more before travelling from the UAE to Georgia .

CAN I CHECK MY UAE VISA STATUS ONLINE?

Yes you can. If you are wondering “ how to check visa status in UAE online ,” all you have to do is visit the ICA Smart Services portal.

Another option is to travel to Armenia from the UAE . If you’re looking for more destinations, you can also travel to Egypt from the UAE to explore the ancient pharaohs’ tombs, pyramids and much more. 

This concludes our guide to travelling from the UAE to the UK – one of the most popular destinations and places to visit.

There are various quarantine requirements for entering and leaving the UAE when returning from another country so make sure you go through them to understand the current travel situation. The UAE approved COVID-19 vaccines are also accepted internationally including the UK.

With guidelines in mind, you can visit visa-free countries for UAE residents that includes Sri Lanka, Maldives and more.

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Visa Requirements for UAE Citizens to the UK

UAE Driving License Exchange

To submit an online application for a "To whom it may concern” certificate-license Data verification letter. Please follow the following steps:

Visit the link: https://www.moi.gov.ae/en/default.aspx

Sign in with a username and password.

Choose Smart Services from the page header

From the E-Services menu, choose the service from the driving licensing tab that falls under the traffic services.

You can submit a new request by clicking on the “New Request” button. The list of previously submitted requests is displayed and can be downloaded. 

Select purpose use and address to then click on the next button.

The total fees for issuing certificates will be displayed, click on Next to go to the payment screen.

After the payment is completed, users can download and print the certificate.

UK entry requirements for UAE nationals

You can get an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) instead of a visa if you are a national of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates. You must pay £30 for an EVW.

An EVW lets you visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, business, study or medical treatment. If you’re visiting for another reason, check if you need a visa instead.

You must apply between 3 months and 48 hours before you travel.

To apply you need:

• your current passport
• an address in the UK where you will stay
• details of your journey, including departure and arrival dates and times

EVW application link: https://www.gov.uk/get-electronic-visa-waiver

If you want to study in the UK

Your course length, type and place of study affect which visa you can apply for.

A Standard Visitor Visa lets you do a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months.

A Short-term Study Visa lets you come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.

A Student Visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. You may be able to do some work on this visa.

A Child Student visa is for 4 to 17 year olds who want to study at an independent school. If you are 16 or over, you can do some work on this visa.

If you want to work or invest in the UK

You can work in the UK on a short or long-term basis with a Work Visa. There are many types of Work Visa.

The visa you need depends upon:

• Your skills and qualifications.
• If you have a job offer and sponsorship.
• If you want to bring your family with you.
• What you’ll be doing - for example sporting, charitable or religious work.

You can also invest money in the UK with an Investor Visa. You can set up a business with a Start-up Visa or an Innovator Visa.

If you want to join family in the UK

If you’re a spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or settlement in the UK, you can apply for a Family Visa to join them. They may need to show that they can support you financially.

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after a set amount of time living in the UK.

If your family member is in the UK on a visa

You may be able to apply for a visa to join a family member who’s in the UK on a visa. They must be either:

• your spouse or partner
• your parent if you’re 18 or under

Check what visa you’ll need to join them on the UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/family-visas

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Dubai flooding: Everything you need to know if your Emirates flight is cancelled

Dubai chaos leaves hundreds of thousands stranded around the world, article bookmarked.

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Helen and Roman from Manchester should be heading home from New Zealand today after visiting family near the capital, Wellington. The couple have been told their Emirates flights via Dubai are cancelled and there is no clear timetable for getting them back to the UK ; Helen is running short of medication.

Gwen and her husband are stranded in paradise – Bali , to be precise – with no certainty about when they might leave. “We can’t seem to get any contact with Emirates to be advised of another flight to the UK,” Gwen tells The Independent . She adds: “We don’t want to be stuck in Dubai at the airport. Can you update us on the position and offer any advice?”

They are just four of the hundreds of thousands of passengers who have been stranded by the unprecedented storm and flooding in Dubai.

On a typical day, 250,000 people pass through the world’s busiest international airport; Dubai overtook London Heathrow for this title several years ago.

But over the past 48 hours the vast majority have seen their flights cancelled, diverted or heavily delayed due to flooding.

Bizarrely, the way that air passengers’ rights rules are structured means that people who have yet to leave the country are in a far stronger position than those in far-flung corners of Asia , Australasia and Africa.

These are the key issues.

What’s the problem?

A severe storm began in the early hours of Tuesday 16 April. Dubai was drenched in a year and a half’s worth of rain in a single day , killing at least one person and disrupting travel through the airport that handles more international passengers than any other.

Flooding and associated disruption is continuing to cause widespread cancellations.

All airlines using Dubai International Airport affected, with British Airways flights from London Heathrow diverting in successive days to Bahrain and Abu Dhabi .

But passengers on Emirates – which flies more people on intercontinental journeys than any other airline – are collectively facing far bigger problems.

How bad are things?

A snapshot by The Independent of all the overnight Emirates departures due to arrive in Dubai from the UK on Thursday morning shows the scale of the problem. Bear in mind that most of the aircraft used are Airbus A380 “SuperJumbo” planes carrying more than 500 passengers.

• Cancelled: London Heathrow (three), London Stansted, Birmingham and Glasgow. That represents around 3,000 people who did not arrive as expected on Thursday. Crucially, because the outbound flights were cancelled, a similar number did not fly out from Dubai to the UK.
• Delayed: The minimum delay arriving in Dubai was two hours, for a single flight from Heathrow. A second Stansted flight was three hours late, while arrivals of another flight from Heathrow and one from Newcastle were four hours late. But the standard delay was six hours, affecting passengers from Gatwick, Heathrow, Glasgow and Manchester.

Once in Dubai, though, their problems could just be beginning. Hundreds of flights are delayed, and onward connections on Emirates to destinations such as Colombo in Sri Lanka , the Seychelles and Kolkata in India are cancelled.

Many Emirates flights are resuming, but with planes, pilots and cabin crew scattered around the world it will be some time before a full schedule is running again.

When flights resume, the passengers who are booked on those departures take priority – with people who may have been waiting for days at the back of the queue.

What does Emirates say?

“Emirates extends our sincerest apologies to impacted customers who have experienced delays and disruption to their travel plans caused by bad weather and road conditions.

“We appreciate how difficult it is for everyone affected. While some customers have been able to return home or reach their destination, we are aware that many are still waiting to get on flights.

“Our teams are working hard to restore our scheduled operations, as well as secure accommodation and other amenities for affected customers at the airport. Our primary concern will always be the safety of our customers and crew, and this will never be compromised.”

The airline adds that Dubai airport “remains congested” and warns: “There may still be delays to arriving and departing flights.”

Emirates says: “Customers impacted by flight cancellations should contact their booking agent, DM us [@EmiratesSupport on X/Twitter], or visit emirat.es/support for rebooking.”

What is the position for British travellers due to be flying out to or via Dubai?

Air passengers’ rights rules mean they are in a strong position. Any airline that cancels a flight from a UK airport, for any reason, must provide passengers with:

• An onward flight as soon as possible, including on a rival airline if seats are available. For example, a passenger from London to Sydney could expect to be rebooked via Hong Kong, Singapore or Doha if Emirates has no room but Cathay Pacific, Singapore or Qatar Airways does.
• Hotels and meals as appropriate until they can reach their destination.

No cash compensation is payable because the cause of the delay is beyond Emirates’ control.

Passengers in Dubai awaiting an onward connection – what is the outlook?

Emirates says: “While some customers have been able to return home or reach their destination, we are aware that many are still waiting to get on flights. Our teams are working hard to restore our scheduled operations.”

The airline says it is trying to “secure accommodation and other amenities for affected customers at the airport”.

Anyone who arrived from the UK (or anywhere in the European Union) is entitled to a hotel, meals and an onward flight on any airline as soon as possible.

Passengers travelling in the opposite direction have no such legal protection.

Airlines generally provide stranded passengers with accommodation and meals, but such is the pressure on hotels that this may not happen. There is no legal obligation to arrange care.

What about people stranded in Asia, Africa or Australasia with connections via Dubai?

As they are flying on a non-British/non-European airline from outside the UK/EU, they have no formal rights besides the general principle that the airline will get them home when possible.

Travel insurance may cover added costs, and possible make a modest payment (typically £25 for each 12 hours) for the length of the delay.

I’m booked on a package holiday. Does that make a difference?

If you have bought flights and accommodation at the same time from the same provider, you have an extra layer of consumer protection. The Package Travel Regulations mean that the company that sold you the trip is responsible for ensuring the holiday goes ahead as planned – and must take action if it does not. For example:

• If you are booked to travel to the Maldives via Dubai, the holiday firm could look for alternative flights.
• Should your short break to Dubai be impossible because of cancelled flights or conditions on the ground, you are due a full refund.
• Stranded on the other side of the world? The holiday company must find a solution for you, and ensure your welfare while you wait.

If I pay for my own hotel or alternative flight, can I claim it back from Emirates?

That depends. If you are in the UK – or stranded in Dubai en route from the UK to a third country – and Emirates has been unable to provide you with these, then you should be able to claim. In all other circumstances, such as being stranded in Bali, it is unlikely the airline will pay up.

Travel insurance may help.

What about other airlines flying in and out of Dubai?

They are also facing big problems. Flydubai, the short-haul cousin of Emirates, made dozens of cancellations on Tuesday and Wednesday, with many flights on Thursday heavily delayed.

FlyNas, the Saudi budget airline, has cancelled more flights than any other on Thursday.

Other carriers, including British Airways and Royal Brunei, have grounded some UK flights, but operations overall are not as badly affected because Dubai represents only a tiny proportion of flying for most airlines.

I have a flight to or via Dubai next week. Should I worry?

Probably not. Emirates and other carriers should be back on track, and as mentioned anyone with a booking for a flight that goes ahead takes precedence over those who may have been waiting a week after a cancelled flight.

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Middle East: Is it safe to travel to holiday destinations as tension escalates?

Are you going to Turkey, Egypt or Israel on holiday? The Foreign Office has warned travellers to several countries to monitor advice after an Iranian attack on Israel pushed tension in the Middle East up another notch.

Thursday 18 April 2024 08:13, UK

Tension in the Middle East has ratcheted up again after Iran's attack on Israel, as the world waits to see how Benjamin Netanyahu's government will respond. 

With the threat of widening conflict, people due to travel through or over the Middle East may be asking if their plans may be impacted.

On Saturday, flight data showed dozens of journeys that would have travelled over the Middle East turned back after Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles into Israel .

Here is what airlines are saying and the latest safety advice to travellers.

EasyJet scraps Tel Aviv flights

EasyJet has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv over safety concerns.

The budget airline told Sky News it has grounded its flights until 27 October at the earliest "as a result of the continued evolving situation" in the region.

Wizz Air customers could see schedule changes

Wizz Air cancelled flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 April before resuming its schedule.

But it said customers could experience schedule changes as it closely monitors the situation.

British Airways operating as normal

British Airways - which operates four daily return flights per week between Heathrow and Tel Aviv - said its flights were continuing to operate as planned, but it too was monitoring the situation.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Turkey is a popular holiday destination for people from the UK with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism saying that last year 3.16 million Britons made the journey there, according to Travel Weekly.

Yet, it borders a number of countries that the Foreign Office advises against travel to.

The vast majority of the country is considered generally safe for tourists, with some exceptions.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel within 10km of the border with Syria , and all but essential travel to the Sirnak and Hakkari provinces.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

Some parts of Israel are considered "red zones" by the Foreign Office, with the government advising against all travel there.

For the rest of the country - including East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - the advice is to travel only if it is essential.

Tourist Israel says around 220,000 Britons usually go to the country every year and the Foreign Office is advising against travel close to the border with Gaza, within 5km of the border with Lebanon and within 500m of the border with Syria.

You can see the full updated list of "red zones" on the Foreign Office advice pages.

Occupied Palestinian territories

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Gaza and the West Bank.

Don't travel to Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon or Syria - Foreign Office

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

It advises against all travel to Iraq except to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where it advises against all but "essential travel".

Can I safely go on holiday in Egypt?

The main tourist areas in Egypt are generally considered safe, including the capital Cairo, cities along the Nile and Red Sea resorts.

Over 1.5 million British Nationals visit Egypt every year, according to analysts Gitnux, and the areas the Foreign Office warns not to travel to include the Governorate of North Sinai, where the Rafah crossing to Gaza is located, and within 20km of the border with Libya.

Read more: Are we heading for World War Three? Experts give their verdicts What are Iran's military capabilities - and where could it strike?

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Check advice on other Middle East states before you travel

Following Iran's attack on Israel, the Foreign Office issued a warning relating to several countries in the surrounding area, telling travellers to check for the latest information.

Included in this are popular destinations like Dubai (visited by more than a million Britons last year according to Travel Weekly) and Marrakech.

"On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast," the FCDO said in a statement.

The countries covered by the warning include Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Jordan and Oman.

Anywhere else of concern?

Cyprus is near the region and has a large UK airbase but, as yet, there is no change in travel advice to the popular country.

Related Topics

• Israel-Hamas war
• Middle East

Visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

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What you need to enter the UK

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Irish citizens can continue to enter and live in the UK .

EU , EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. In other cases, find out if you need to apply for a visa to enter the UK .

You can cross the UK border using a valid passport which should be valid for the whole time you are in the UK .

EU , EEA and Swiss citizens can continue to use the automatic ePassport gates to pass through the border on arrival.

You cannot use an EU , EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK unless you:

• have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme , or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit , or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
• have a frontier worker permit
• are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• are a Swiss national and have a Service Provider from Switzerland visa

In these cases, you can continue to use your national ID card to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025.

If you’re waiting for a decision on your application for settled or pre-settled status

You can still use your EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK if all of the following are true:

• you’ve applied for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• you’ve been issued with confirmation your application is valid
• you’re not applying as a joining family member

Other types of cards

British citizens can continue to use a Gibraltar identity card to travel to the UK .

Irish citizens can continue to use a passport card to travel to the UK .

You must have the correct documents to show at the UK border if you’re travelling to the UK . You cannot use any documents to enter the UK that are not listed here.

If you’re a non- EEA family member of an EU , EEA or Swiss citizen

You need a valid national passport, and one of the following:

• an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
• a UK -issued EEA family permit
• a UK -issued biometric residence card

You cannot use an Article 10 or Article 20 residence card issued by an EEA member state.

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

• New Zealand
• South Korea
• United States

Travelling from within the Common Travel Area (CTA)

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is made up of the UK , Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man).

There are different document requirements if you are travelling to the UK within the CTA.

Business travel to the UK

If you’re an EU , EEA or Swiss Citizen travelling to the UK for a short business trip, you may not need to apply for a visa.

Under the UK ’s new points-based immigration system , you can continue to visit the UK without applying for a visa. In most cases you can stay for up to 6 months. You may participate in a wide range of activities including business-related activities such as meetings, events and conferences. You may enter the UK multiple times during that period but you may not live in the UK by means of frequent or successive visits.

As a business visitor, you cannot:

• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
• do a work placement or internship
• sell directly to the public or provide goods and services

Read more about visiting the UK on a business trip and check whether you need to apply for a visa to carry out your intended activities.

Check the Visitor Rules and see the full list of business and academic activities you can do as a visitor to the UK .

Read more about what you can do when visiting from Ireland or one of the Crown Dependencies and check whether you need to apply for a visa.

Working in the UK or sending employees to work in the UK

If you require EU , EEA or Swiss citizens to work in the UK for longer than 6 months, they need to apply for a visa. Find out more about working in the UK .

If you employ or intend to employ an EU , EEA or Swiss citizen who commutes to the UK , see the guidance for frontier workers .

Trading with the UK

EU business can find out more about trading with the UK .

Commercial goods (merchandise in baggage)

You must tell customs (‘declare’) if you are bringing commercial goods into the UK in your accompanied baggage or small motor vehicle. Commercial goods are things to sell.

You need to make a full customs declaration if you are bringing commercial goods that are any of the following:

• above the total value of £1,500 into Great Britain
• above the total value of £873 into Northern Ireland
• excise , restricted or controlled goods
• weigh above 1,000 kilograms

Check the rules on merchandise in baggage .

Professional qualifications

Find out how to get your EU , EEA or Swiss qualification recognised in the UK .

School travellers entering the UK

Schools in france.

You can visit the UK using the France- UK school trip travel information form .

This allows:

• children who are EU , EEA or Swiss citizens to enter with their national identity card instead of a passport
• children who are citizens of other countries to enter without a visa, even if they would normally need one to visit the UK

Schools in other countries

All schoolchildren need a passport to visit the UK .

Children who are citizens of other countries may also need a visa - check if you need a UK visa .

What you can bring into the UK

Read the updated guidance on:

• how you bring horses to and from the UK
• how you bring endangered plants, animals or their products to and from the UK

Bringing your pet to and from the UK

Find out about pet travel to Europe .

Bringing goods into the UK

Some rules have changed when you bring goods for your own use from the EU to the UK . Find out more about bringing goods into the UK .

Controls on cash

Individuals travelling from the EU to the UK with £10,000 or more in cash will need to make a declaration. Find out about taking cash in and out of the UK .

Healthcare in the UK

EEA and Swiss citizens visiting the UK should check the guidance on healthcare for the latest information on access to NHS healthcare.

Driving in the UK

If you have a non- uk licence.

Visitors with a non- UK driving licence can drive in the UK . You do not need an international driving permit ( IDP ).

If your vehicle is not insured in the UK

If you have vehicle insurance issued in the EU , Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, you should carry an insurance green card or other valid proof of insurance.

To be valid, other proof of insurance must be a document issued by the vehicle insurance provider which includes the:

• name of the insurance provider
• number plate or other identifying particulars of the vehicle
• period of insurance cover

Contact your vehicle insurance provider before you travel.

If your vehicle is insured in a country outside the EU , Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, what you’ll need to do will depend on if your country is a member of the green card system .

If your country is a member, you will need to carry a green card.

If your country is not a member, your vehicle will need UK vehicle insurance .

Using your mobile phone in the UK

How much you pay for calls, texts and mobile data in the UK and the EU will depend on your operator. Please check before you travel.

Updated the section on school travellers with information on the France-UK school trip travel information form.

Updated 'School travellers entering the UK' as the List of Travellers scheme is no longer in operation.

Updated to remove information about travelling to England during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Updated information on use of ID cards to enter the UK if you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

Updated information for Irish citizens travelling to the UK from Ireland or the Crown Dependencies.

Those with an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen national ID card who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme will be able to use it to enter the UK whilst they wait for the decision on their application.

Added information for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 but not yet received a decision. Added guidance for Gibraltar identity card holders. Added guidance for Irish citizens.

First published.

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