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Immigration and passports

We want to make sure your arrival in the UK is as smooth as possible. Here are some top tips on how to ensure a seamless journey through passport control and some things you need to be aware of before you travel.

How long will it take to go through immigration?

To ensure a smooth journey through passport control, make sure to:

  • Have all your documents ready - that's your passport and visas if needed.
  • Remove your passport from its cover and flip to the photo page.
  • Remove hats, headphones, or sunglasses.
  • Put away mobile phones or tablets when it's time to see an officer.
  • Stay together if travelling as a family.
  • Use our e-gates if possible for speedier passport checks. 

E-gates use facial recognition to check your identity, so you won't need to speak to an officer. You can use e-gates in the UK if you:

  • Have a biometric symbol on the cover of your passport.
  • Are aged 10+ (10 to 17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult)
  • Are either:
    • A British citizen.
    • A national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA.
    • A member of the Registered Traveller Service.
Image of a passport showing the biometric passport symbol. The symbol is a rectangle with a horizontal line across the middle and a circle in the middle.

If you're travelling with your family, go through passport control together.

If you're travelling with a child who has a different last name from yours or who isn't your own, you may be asked to confirm your relationship. You can speed up this process, by bringing documents that prove your relationship with the child and the reason for your trip. This can include birth or adoption, marriage or divorce certificates, or even a letter from the child's parent(s) permitting you to travel and providing their contact information.

Visit gov.uk for more info

There are restrictions on bringing certain goods into the UK. For more information, visit the government website. 

Visit gov.uk for more info

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new requirement for visitors to the UK who don't currently need a visa. An ETA permits you to travel to the UK for up to six months and is electronically linked to your passport.

Who does this apply to?

The following visitors to the UK will need an ETA (including children):

  • Visitors from countries outside Europe, including America, Australia, Canada and Gulf Corporation Council countries now need an ETA to travel to the UK. You can apply now via gov.uk.
  • Visitors from Europe will need an ETA from 2 April 2025. You can apply for your ETA from 5 March 2025 via gov.uk.

You'll need an ETA if you're visiting for tourism, business, studying or to visit family/friends. 

As of 16 January 2025, the UK government has agreed a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside (and therefore do not pass UK border control) from needing an ETA.

If you're a British or Irish national, you don't need an ETA.

How do I apply?

ETAs cost £16 and are valid for two years, allowing multiple entries to the UK.

Apply for your ETA or find more information on gov.uk.

Visit gov.uk for more info

The UK is moving from physical immigration documents to eVisas. If you currently use a physical document to prove your immigration status you'll need to switch to an eVisa instead. Physical immigration documents include a biometric residence permit (BRP), biometric residence card (BRC), visa vignette or ink stamp in your passport.

What do I need to do?
  • If you currently hold a UK visa you'll need to create a UK Visas and Immigration account at gov.uk/eVisa to access your eVisa.
  • If you already have an eVisa, make sure the passport you use for travel is linked to your account. Visit gov.uk to check and let the UK Government know if it's not linked. 
Visit gov.uk for more info

If you’re passing through the UK border before onward travel you may need to apply for a 48-hour visa (Visitor in Transit visa). This must be done before your arrival to the UK on the Government website. Your passport must allow entry into the UK and you must have a booking for onward travel. For more information on whether you need this visa and how to apply, visit the government website.

Visit gov.uk for more info