Travelling to the UK? What to Know Before You Go!

[UKMigration]

Travel to another country can be exciting, educational and a lot of fun, but a lack of proper preparation can often make the difference between a great adventure and a total disaster. Doing a little research long before you make your final travel plans will really pay off in the end. Visiting the UK Immigration web sites, travel sites and perhaps even a immigration lawyer in the UK are all good ways to get the information you need. Here are a few important items to put on your list of what to know before you go.

• Find out well in advance if you need a visa for your stay and if so, give yourself plenty of time to take care of the application. To find out whether or not you need a visa, you can consult one of the many visa websites available.
  
• If you already have a visa, be sure you are adhering to the conditions that it sets out. For example, your visa likely has an expiry date which means you are not allowed to remain in the UK beyond that date.
  
• If you require a passport for travel be sure it is valid and contains a blank page for your required travel dates.
  
• If there are items you want to bring with you be sure they meet the regulations of the UK border agency. Finding out ahead of time if you can bring those gifts for friends and family will avoid any possibility that they may have to be seized at the border. This area can be a little complicated and professional advice is recommended. Many people realize that endangered animals and plants are not allowed across the border, but they fail to realize that the law also bans products made from those things as well, unless a permit has been granted.
  
• Obviously you cannot bring illegal items such as drugs or weapons into the country with you.
  
• If you are travelling from any country outside the European Union you must also inform border officials of any amount of cash you are carrying in excess of 10,000 Euros.
  
• Proper documentation may be needed for certain prescribed medications. If you take a prescribed medication on a regular basis, check first to find out whether it needs to be cleared before you travel. For some medications an actual license to transport them must be issued. Your health is of the utmost importance so be very certain you have this covered.
  
• Food products that can be brought into the UK are very closely monitored, even items that you might have packed for a travel snack, or are bringing as a gift for friends or family. Meat and dairy products cannot be imported and there are many other items as well that are restricted. Simple items such as eggs, honey and fish are just a few that you might not think of as restricted but they are. Many fruits and vegetables are also banned.
  
• The final thing to consider is the number of things you might be bringing with you. Even though they are legal to bring, they may very well have a number limit that you must adhere to. Knowing this in advance can save a lot of time and frustration at the border.

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Please note that these articles and the information contained herein are purely for general guidance and do not constitute a professional legal or any other opinion as to the merits of a particular application or whether specific immigration requirements have been met of a particular category. This information is generic and should not be relied upon as a definitive guide to fulfilling specific category requirements. However should any individual do so it is at his or her own risk for which UK Migration Lawyers Limited cannot be held responsible in any way.


Gazala Rashid
UK immigration lawyers