For a lot of us the world of immigration laws and visa issues can be rather overwhelming... Do I get a visa in my country? Do I get a visa on the border? What type of visa can I get? What does it entitle me to? I got a stamp in my passport at the border but what does is really say?... etc., etc. We are here to help! This section is supposed to give you tips how to deal with visa problems before and after you arrive in the UK. Please note that these are guidelines only and we are not responsible for its content being changed by the British government. First of all you have to remember that the rules for entering the UK are different if : Your country is In the European Economic Area Your country is Not in the European Economic Area Your country has reciprocal agreements with UK

GROUP A
You are an European Economic Area National

If you are an EEA national, you do not need a visa to enter the UK. You will be admitted freely if you show your national ID or your passport at the border. You will not receive any stamps either as you have a right of residence while you study (or work). You are the lucky person who does not have to worry about visa issues.

The EEA countries:

You also won't need a visa if:

• you qualify for admission to the UK as a returning resident
• you seek leave to enter the UK within the period of their earlier leave and for the same purpose as that for which that leave was granted, unless it:
  * was for a period of six months or less; or
  * was extended by statutory instrument;
• you are holding refugee travel documents
  (issued under the 1951Convention relating to the Status of Refugees by countries which are signatories of the Council of Europe Agreement of 1959 on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees if coming on visits of 3 months or less)

The list of visa nationals is often changed as new agreements between the UK and various countries come into practice. Go to this page on the Home Offive web site to see the most up-to-date list of visa nationals.

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GROUP B
You are a non-EEA member.

You belong to a group of visa nationals if you a can find your country in the list below. If your country is marked with an asterisks you are so called 'relevant foreign national' and you might be required to register with the police after you have entered the UK. (but only if your passport says so; check your stamp and compare them with the ones on the useful information page)

In either case you might have to apply for an entry clearance at the British Embassy in your country before you come to the UK. Remember that the entry clearance you will receive IS NOT A VISA; the stamp you will receive at the border is a VISA. Entry clearance is merely a sort of a permit to apply for one at the British border.

Also, keep in mind that if you are a visa national you are not allowed to change your status, e.g. from visitor to student visa in the UK; you will have to go back to your country and apply for it there.

Also:

• Persons who hold passports or travel documents issued by the former Soviet Union or by the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
• Stateless persons
• Persons who hold non-national documents.
  

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If you cannot find your country on the above lists it means different set of rules apply. They differ from country to country and we advise you to check with the British Embassy what they are before you set out for the UK.

For more information about all sorts of visas go to the Home Office page "Staying in the UK: Leaflets":

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?pageid=14

For the list of all the British Embassies all over the world go to this link:

www.fco.gov.uk/directory/posts.asp