The order of entry into the UK: the rules of passport control and customs

It's time to get acquainted with the order of entry into the UK. To get to the territory of the United Kingdom, it is necessary to pass a number of standard formal procedures - as, however, in most other countries of the world. We tell you what awaits you on the British border.

Landing Card Filling

Before passing passport control at the British border, you will need to fill the Landing Card migration card. Filling this card is required for all who are not a citizen of Great Britain or the EU, including for minor children. As a rule, cards are distributed by flight attendants shortly before landing. They can also be taken at the airport in the arrival area.

Landing Card is an A6 format form in which personal data and travel details must be deposited. Fill out a migration card is easy, however, if you are not sure about your knowledge of English, it is better to familiarize yourself with the instructions and an example.

Fill the map follows with capital printing Latin letters. Below are all migration card items with examples and recommendations for filling them:

• Family Name / Last Name: Ivanova
• FIRST NAME / Name: Anna
• Sex / Gender: M - Male, F - Female
• Date of Birth / Date of Birth: 01/01/1993
• TOWN AND COUNTRY OF BIRTH / City and Country of Birth: Moscow, RUSSIAN FEDERATION
• Nationality / Nationality: RUSSIAN
• Occupation / Profession: Manager. If you do not know how to translate the name of your profession into English, write her Russian name Latin.
• Contact Address In The UK (In Full) / Full address of accommodation in United Kingdom: 21 (house room) Trinity Trees Eastbourne (city) BN21 3LD (index) England (country). You can spit the address in the hotel's hotel or in the invitation.
• Passport NO / Passport number: 121200000
• PLACE OF ISSUE / Passport Location: FMS RF (specify the Latinian organ and passport issuance country)
• Length of Stay In UK / Stay in England: 14 Days
• Port of Last Departure / Last departure place: Moscow, Domodedovo (If you fly with a transfers, specify the last place of departure)
• Arrival Flight / Train Number / Ship Number / Arrival Flight Number: E111
• Signature / Signature

White blocks at the bottom of the card and its opposite side is not necessary. If you suddenly missed any graph of the card, the border control officer will ask you to fill it in place or drive the necessary information itself.

Passport control of Great Britain

There are two queues on the border of the UK before passport control: for the UK citizens and the European Union member countries (UK / EU) and for all others (non EU or All Other Passports).

On passport control, employees will ask you to prevent a passport with a British visa and a completed migration card. From the passport you should first remove the cover. With me, you should have documents confirming the purpose of your visit (hotel reservation, invitation from relatives, a letter from educational institution or company).

Depending on the nuances in each case, entering also can also be asked to demonstrate other papers. If you married, changed the surname, and now the surname in a visa is different from the surname on the turn of the passport, take a certificate of marriage registration. If you have and traveling with you, the child differ surnames, you will need a birth certificate. If you are accompanied by not your child, you should have appropriate documents in your hands (the child's birth certificate and notarious consent from both parents).

In our practice there were the case when officers asked to demonstrate a return ticket, so we recommend to have it with you in printed or electronic form.

The accompanying documents can be provided both in the original and in the form of copies, however, they must be accompanied by translations into English. Learn how to correctly perform and visiting the United Kingdom.

Insurance for a visit to the UK is optional, however, we strongly recommend issuing a standard tourist policy cover at least 30 000 €.

All passport control officers enter the territory of the United Kingdom as a number of template issues. The most common questions are most common:

• The purpose of your visit to the UK (Note, the goal should coincide with the one that you specified when filling out a visa questionnaire)?
• What is your visit to the UK?
• Where do you plan to stop?
• Who are you traveling with?
• Approximate plan of your trip?
• Do you have relatives or friends in the UK?

The task of the officer is to prevent attempts by illegal immigration or crossing the borders by intruders and criminals. Your task is to show that you do not have such intentions. Therefore, calmly and honestly answer all questions and, if necessary, place the documents requested. Communication with an officer rarely takes more than a minute.

Customs Control in the UK

For the most part, Russians are visited by the UK with a tourist, business or educational goal, and therefore pass by customs control. Nevertheless, there are a number of things that are subject to declaration or are not allowed for importation to the territory of the United Kingdom.

If you are carrying with you more than 10,000 € cash, money must be declared.

Restrictions on the import of tobacco products:

• cigarettes: no more than 200 pieces
• sigarilla: no more than 100 pieces
• cigars: no more than 50 pieces
• tobacco: no more than 250 grams

Restrictions on the import of alcoholic beverages

• beer: no more than 16 liters
• wine (not sparkling): no more than 4 liters
• alcohol fortress up to 22%: no more than 2 liters
• alcohol Fortress from 22%: Not more than 1 liter

To carry tobacco and alcohol products have the right of persons over 17 years old. The products faced in excess of the specified norm should be declared and pay for it a customs collection. Also, the declarations are subject to goods worth more than £ 390.

The following items and products are prohibited from the United Kingdom:

• meat and dairy products (including eggs)
• weapon (for example, vykodnaya knife)
• self-defense aerosol means

If there is nothing interesting in your luggage for the customs service, go to the sign "Nothing to Declare". If you have products to be declared, go through the "Goods to Declare" sign. For declaring you need to fill out a small form and give it to the customs officer. If necessary, pay the customs gathering and present the necessary permits and licenses (for example, if you are carrying weapons).

As a rule, all checks on the British border do not take much time. Prepare the necessary documents in advance and do not forget to fill the Landing Card migration card. In the absence of queues in 5-10 minutes, you will formally be located in the UK.