London Documents And Formalities

Requirements

Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US need valid passports to enter the UK and re-enter their home countries. EU citizens should carry their passports, though they may not be checked. Britain does not allow entrance if the holder’s passport expires in under six months. Returning home with an expired passport is illegal and may result in a fine.

New Passports

Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US can apply for a passport at any passport office or at selected post offices and courts of law. Citizens of these countries may also download passport applications from the official website of their country’s government or passport office. Any new passport or renewal applications must be filed well in advance of the departure date, though most passport offices offer rush services for a very steep fee. Note, however, that “rushed” passports still take up to two weeks to arrive.

Passport Maintenance

Photocopy the page of your passport with your photo, as well as your visas, traveler’s check serial numbers, and any other important documents. Carry one set of copies in a safe place, apart from the originals, and leave another set at home. Consulates also recommend that you carry an expired passport or an official copy of your birth certificate in a part of your baggage separate from other documents.

If you lose your passport, immediately notify the local police and your government’s nearest embassy or consulate. To expedite its replacement, you must show ID and proof of citizenship; it also helps to know all information previously recorded in the passport. In some cases, a replacement may take weeks to process, and it may be valid only for a limited time. Any visas stamped in your old passport will be irretrievably lost. In an emergency, ask for immediate temporary traveling papers that will permit you to re-enter your home country.

One Europe. European unity has come a long way since 1958, when the European Economic Community (EEC) was created to promote European solidarity and cooperation. Since then, the EEC has become the European Union (EU), a mighty political, legal, and economic institution. On May 1, 2004, ten Southern, Central, and Eastern European countries— Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia—were admitted to the EU, joining 15 other member states: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. On January 1, 2007, Bulgaria and Romania were admitted.
What does this have to do with the average non-EU tourist? The EU’s policy of freedom of movement means that border controls between the first 15 member states (minus Ireland and the UK, but plus Norway and Iceland) have been abolished, and visa policies harmonized. Under this treaty, formally known as the Schengen Agreement, you’re still required to carry a passport (or government-issued ID card for EU citizens) when crossing an internal border, but once you’ve been admitted into one country, you’re free to travel to other participating states. On June 5, 2005, Switzerland ratified the treaty but has yet to implement it. The 8 of the newest member states of the EU are anticipated to implement the policy in October of 2007. Britain and Ireland have also formed a common travel area, abolishing passport controls between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Visas And Work Permits

Visas

Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US do not need a visa for stays of up to six months. European Economic Area (EEA)—which includes all EU nations, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—and Swiss citizens do not need a visa to enter Britain; neither do citizens of Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, and some Eastern European, Caribbean, and Pacific countries. Citizens of most other countries must have a visa to enter Britain. If you are uncertain, contact your embassy or complete an online inquiry at www.ukvisas.gov.uk.

Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US staying longer than six months must purchase a visa from the British consulate in their home country. Tourist visas cost £36. Visas come in all shapes and depend on why you plan on coming to the UK—tourism, work, longer-term stays, marriage—and from where you are coming—the EU, Commonwealth countries, non-visa countries (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US), or none of the above. US citizens can take advantage of the Center for International Business and Travel (CIBT; ☎800-929-2428; www.cibt.com), which secures visas for travel for a variable service charge. If you need a visa extension while in the UK, contact the Home Office, Border and Immigration Agency (☎0114 207 4074; www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk).

Double-check entrance requirements at the nearest UK embassy or consulate (listed under British Consular Services Abroad, ) for up-to-date info before departure. US citizens can also consult travel.state.gov.

Work Permits

Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US need a work permit to work in the UK. EU citizens staying over three months must apply for a residence permit after their arrival in the UK. For details about long-term visas and work, study, and residence permits, see Beyond Tourism .

Identification

When you travel, always carry at least two forms of identification, including a photo ID; a passport and either a driver’s license or birth certificate is usually an adequate combination. Never carry all of your IDs together; split them up in case of theft or loss and keep photocopies of them in your luggage and at home.

Student, Teacher, And Youth Identification

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC), the most widely accepted form of student ID, provides discounts on some sights, accommodations, food, and transportation; access to a 24hr. emergency helpline; and insurance benefits for US cardholders (see Insurance). Applicants must be full-time secondary or post-secondary school students at least 12 years of age. Because of the proliferation of fake ISICs, some services (particularly airlines) may require additional proof of student identity.

The International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) offers teachers the same insurance coverage as the ISIC and limited discounts. For travelers who are under 26 years of age but are not students, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) also offers many of the same benefits as the ISIC.

Each of these identity cards costs US$22 or equivalent. ISICs and ITICs are valid until the new year. However, if the card is purchased between September and December, it is valid until the beginning of the following new year. IYTCs are valid for one year from the date of issue. To learn more about ISICs, ITICs, and IYTCs, try www.myisic.com. Many student travel agencies issue the cards; for a list of issuing agencies or more information, see the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) website (www.istc.org).

The International Student Exchange Card (ISE Card) is a similar identification card available to students, faculty, and youths aged 12 to 26. The card provides discounts, medical benefits, access to a 24hr. emergency helpline, and the ability to purchase student airfares. An ISE Card costs US$25; call ☎800-255-8000 for more info or visit www.isecard.com.

Customs

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk) controls customs. Travelers from outside the EU may bring up to £145 worth of non-personal goods unintended for sale (such as gifts) into the UK, with special strictures for cigarettes, alcohol, and perfume. Upon entering the UK, you must declare items beyond the allowance and pay duty. Note that goods and gifts purchased at duty-free shops abroad are not exempt from duty or sales tax; “duty-free” merely means that you need not pay a tax in the country of purchase. Upon returning home, likewise, you must declare all articles acquired abroad and pay a duty on the value of articles in excess of your home country’s allowance. If bringing valuables from home, consider registering them with customs before traveling abroad. Be sure to keep receipts. If you’re returning to a non-EU country, you can claim back any Value Added Tax paid (see Taxes).