ARRIVING IN THE UK

IMMIGRATION CONTROL

LUGGAGE AND CUSTOMS CONTROL

ONWARD TRAVEL


 
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Immigration Control

On arrival at the airport, follow the ‘Arrivals’ sign to ‘Immigration Control’. These areas will lead you to the passport control area. If you are transferring to another flight at the same airport, follow the signs for "Flight Connections" instead. Then, at your final destination airport follow the sings of "Arrivals". As you approach Passport /Immigration control, you will see electronic screens indicating where you should queue. There are separate channels for:

UK and other European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals

All other
Make sure you join the right queue.
 
At some major airports, arriving passengers are also sorted by flight numbers as they enter the immigration control area, so you should have this number to hand.

When you reach the front of the queue, the Immigration Officer at the desk will want to see that your documents are in order, so make sure you have all of them ready. You will be asked to tell the Immigration Officer the purpose of your stay in the UK, and will need to show:

Your passport or travel document
A letter from your Institution offering you a place to study
Evidence of financial support
 

You might also be asked to have a brief routine health check by the airport doctor, which might include an X-ray. The health check up will take place in a separate room and afterwards you will need to return to immigration control.

As long as your documents are in order, you should pass through the immigration smoothly, but if you need help for any reason, there are 2 things you can do:

Ask the immigration officer to telephone your Institution - keep the number handy.

Ask to see a representative of the Immigration Advisory Service. The service has offices at most major airports, and can also be reached on the following numbers:

  Helpline 020 7378  
  Detention Free phone (free call) 0800 435427  
  From Gatwick Airport 533385  
  From Heathrow Airport 020 8814 1559  
  From Birmingham Airport 706 9765  
  From Edinburgh Airport 335 3181  
  From Glasgow Airport 887 1111  
  From Manchester Airport 834 9942  
  Central Office 020 7357 6917  

Once all of your documents have been checked, the Immigration Officer will put an "arrival" stamp in your passport. This stamped entry in your passport will indicate:

The length of time that you are allowed to stay in the UK (the duration of your course)
Whether or not you can work in the UK.