International Student Arrival Guide
Below are 10 Top Tips from Phil Duffy, the Chief Operating Officer at the Immigration Border Force. Phil wrote to us about students arriving in the UK and what they can do to ensure they pass through border control without any problems.
As we continue to improve our service and the passenger experience at the UK border, we have looked at what simple steps students can take to speed up their journey through border control. To give new students a better idea of what they can expect when crossing the border we have devised a helpful list of ’10 top tips’.
The tips are designed to ensure students are prepared for what they may need to present at border control and what other documentation might need to be at hand in case of further questions. It also reminds them about not bringing in certain banned items, such as meat or dairy products, from outside the EU.
I’d be grateful if you can share the tips. Here they are ………………….
- If you’re from a non European Economic Area (EEA) country, complete the landing card given to you during your flight before you arrive at border control
- Do not bring in any meat or dairy products from outside the European Union (EU). There are restrictions on traditional medicines, food products such as fish, eggs and honey, and some fruit, vegetables and plants (including bulbs, seeds, cut flowers and tree bark).
- Expect Border Force officers to ask simple questions about your stay in the UK when you arrive at passport control.
- Never give false or misleading information (including forged or counterfeit documents).
- Keep any recent bank statements and details of where you are staying in your hand luggage, Border Force officers may ask to see this information.
- Keep information about the course you’re studying in your hand luggage. This must be in paper copy (not an electronic copy on tablet or phone). This includes your university Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number
- Have your passport ready. Remove it from any cover, and remember to remove sunglasses and hats.
- You must declare cash of 10,000 Euros or more (or the equivalent in another currency) if you are travelling from a country outside the EU
- There are also restrictions on the amount of tobacco, alcohol and gifts you can bring to the UK. If you exceed your duty-free allowance and do not declare them, all of your items could be taken away from you.
- Never bring in counterfeit goods, illegal drugs, offensive weapons or indecent or obscene material. Some items are restricted and will require a licence or permit.
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals