ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
A passport is required. Tourists are not
obliged to obtain a visa for stays of up to six months in the
United
Kingdom or to enter Gibraltar. Those planning to stay in the
United Kingdom
for any purpose longer than six months must obtain a visa prior to
entering. Those wishing to remain longer than one month in
Gibraltar
should regularize their stay with
Gibraltar immigration authorities.
In an
effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments
have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include
requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for
the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not
present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required,
may facilitate entry/departure.
Further information on entry requirements may be obtained from the
British Embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington,
DC
20008; tel: (202) 588-7800. Inquiries may also be directed to
British consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. The
website of the British Embassy in the
United States
is http://www.britainusa.com/embassy;
information on visas can be found at
http://www.britainusa.com/visas/visas.asp.
DUAL NATIONALITY:
U.S.
citizens who are also citizens of the
United Kingdom
or any other nation are reminded that
U.S.
law requires they enter and depart the United States carrying a
valid U.S. passport. They are not entitled to
U.S.
visas or to travel to the
U.S.
on the Visa Waiver Program.
U.S.
citizens who attempt to travel to the
U.S.
from the United Kingdom on foreign passports risk being denied
boarding pending acquisition of a valid U.S. passport. For
additional information, see the Consular Affairs home page on the
Internet at http://travel.state.gov for our
dual nationality flyer.
SAFETY AND SECURITY:
The
United
Kingdom is stable and modern but shares with the rest of the world
an increased threat of terrorist incidents of international origin,
as well as violence related to the political situation in
Northern Ireland
(a part of the United Kingdom). Americans are reminded to remain
vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise
caution. In the past year, several arrests have been made in Great
Britain in connection with various possible terrorist plots. The
British Home Secretary has urged its citizens to be alert and
vigilant by, for example, keeping an eye out for suspect packages or
people acting suspiciously at subway and train stations and airports
and reporting anything suspicious to the appropriate authorities by
contacting the free confidential anti-terrorist telephone hotline on
0800 789 321.
For
the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should
regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov
where the current
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement,
Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to
date information on security can also be obtained by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers
outside the
United States
and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are
available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
From
time to time during periods of heightened threat of terrorism, the
U.K. government deems it necessary to raise levels of security
activity. Heightened activity may include the use of military
personnel in support of the police and law enforcement officers. The
use of troops, who remain at all times under the control of the
police, is part of long-standing contingency plans. Military
personnel and equipment may be deployed at airports and other
transportation links, or other public locations. For
more information about U.K. public safety initiatives,
consult the U.K. Civil Contingencies Secretariat website at
http://www.ukresilience.gov.uk.
Political demonstrations are well policed and generally orderly.
Although the political situation in
Northern Ireland
has dramatically improved since the signing of the Good Friday
Agreement in 1998, incidents of terrorist violence have,
nevertheless, occurred in the past few years. Early in 2001, two
explosive devices were detonated in London suburbs, injuring eight
people and damaging buildings. Within Northern Ireland, flash-points
for sectarian confrontations still exist, but they are generally
removed from areas where tourists congregate. Sporadic incidents of
street violence may erupt during the summer marching season (April
to August), with tensions heightened during the month of July,
especially around the July 12th public holiday. As a result,
American citizens traveling in Northern Ireland have experienced
delays and disruption.
CRIME: The
United
Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates;
however crime, including violent crime, has increased over the last
few years, especially in London. Incidents include pick pocketing,
mugging, “snatch and grab” theft of mobile phones, watches and
jewelry and theft of unattended bags, especially at airports and
from cars parked at restaurants, hotels and resorts.
Pickpockets target tourists, especially at historic sites,
restaurants, on buses, trains and the London Underground (subway).
Thieves often target unattended cars parked at tourist sites and
roadside restaurants, looking for laptop computers and hand-held
electronic equipment. In London, travelers should use only licensed
“black taxi cabs” or car services recommended by their hotel or tour
operator. Unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis may offer
low fares, but are often uninsured and may have unlicensed drivers.
In some instances, travelers have been robbed and raped while using
these cars. Travelers should take care not to leave drinks
unattended in bars and nightclubs. There have been some instances of
drinks being spiked, leading to incidents of robbery and rape.
Due to
the circumstances described above, visitors should take steps to
ensure the safety of their
U.S.
passports. Visitors in
England,
Scotland, Wales and Gibraltar are not expected to produce identity
documents for police authorities and thus may secure their passports
in hotel safes or residences. In Northern Ireland, however,
passports or other photographic I.D. should be carried at all times.
The need to carry a passport to cash traveler's checks is also
minimized by an abundance of ATMs able to access systems widely used
in the U.S. and offering more favorable rates of exchange. Note:
Common sense personal security measures utilized in the
U.S.
when using ATMs should also be followed in the U.K.
The
loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in
addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S.
Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff
can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to
contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be
transferred. The Embassy/Consulate can also inform you about local
and
U.S.
organizations that assist victims of crime. Although the
investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the
responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you
to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an
attorney if needed.
U.S.
citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet,
A
Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a
trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html,
or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at
http://travel.state.gov.
