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 wishing to remain longer than one month in Gibraltar should regularize their stay with Gibraltar immigration authorities.
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/bis/CONSULAR/consular.stm
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 documented as U.S. citizens. 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/SECURITY: The United Kingdom is stable and modern. Political demonstrations are well policed and, except at times in Northern Ireland, generally orderly. There is a history of terrorist violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom). Numerous such incidents have occurred throughout England and Northern Ireland. Although the main paramilitary groups are observing a cease-fire, there continue to be acts of violence by dissident groups. U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, but some have been injured when caught up in disturbances.
In recent years there has been widespread civil unrest throughout Northern Ireland during the summer marching season (April to August). As a result, American citizens traveling in Northern Ireland have experienced delays and disruption. Some degree of civil unrest may continue for the foreseeable future.
Bomb attacks targeting minority groups occurred in London during the Spring of 1999. Americans were not singled out, but the incidents occurred in public areas frequented by residents and visitors alike.
CRIME INFORMATION: The United Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates, and incidents of violent crime are rare. However, incidents of pickpocketing and theft of unattended bags in urban areas are common. Pickpockets are especially active at sites frequented by tourists, including restaurants, historic sites, buses, trains and the London Underground (subway). Thieves often target unattended cars parked at tourist sites.
American visitors should take steps to ensure the safety of their U.S. passports. Visitors in the United Kingdom 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. Throughout the U.K., ATM's, most of which have access to systems widely used in the U.S., are readily accessible. Therefore only those needing to cash travelers checks would need to carry their passport with them.
The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: While good medical services are widely available, free care under the National Health System is allowed only to U.K. residents. Tourists and short-term visitors can expect charges roughly comparable to those assessed in the U.S. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the United Kingdom is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent
Urban Road Condition/Maintenance: Excellent
Rural Road Condition/Maintenance: Excellent
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent
U.K. penalties for drunk driving are stiff. Visitors uncomfortable with the prospect of left-sided driving may wish to avail themselves of extensive rail and air transport networks. Roads in the United Kingdom are excellent, but often congested in urban areas.
Gibraltar, like the U.S. and Continental Europe, has right-sided driving. Persons traveling overland between Gibraltar and Spain may experience long delays in clearing Spanish border controls.
The phone number for police/fire/ambulance emergency services--the equivalent of "911" in the U.S.--is 999 in the United Kingdom and 122 in Gibraltar.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority as Category One - in compliance with international aviation standards for oversight of the United Kingdom's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-256-4801.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: British customs authorities may strictly enforce regulations regarding the import or export of certain items, including material deemed likely to incite racial hatred, firearms and personal defense items such as mace or knives. It is advisable to contact the British Embassy in Washington or one of the United Kingdom's consulates in the U.S. for specific information regarding customs requirements. Customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call 212-354-4480, send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit http://www.uscib.org for details.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating British law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs in the United Kingdom are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
Air travelers to and from the United Kingdom should be aware that penalties against in-flight alcohol-related crimes are stiff and have been enforced.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: Americans living in or visiting the United Kingdom may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom and obtain updated information on travel and security within the U.K. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE; Telephone: in country 0171-499-9000, from the U.S. 44-171-499-9000 (24 hours); Consular Section fax: in country 0171-495-5012; from the U.S. 44-171-495-5012. The Embassy web site is: http://www.usembassy.org.uk.
The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, is located at: 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BW; Telephone: in country 0131-556-8315, from the U.S. 44-131-556-8315. After hours: in country 0131-260-6495, from the U.S. 44-131-260-6495. Fax: in country 0131-557-6023; from the U.S. 44-131-557-6023. The web site is: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/scotland.
The U.S. Consulate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is located at: 14 Queen Street, Belfast BT1 6EQ; Telephone: in country 01232-328-239; from the U.S. 44-1232-328-239. After hours : in country 01232-661-629, from the U.S. 44-1232-661-629. Fax: in country 01232-248-482, from the U.S. 44-1232-248-482.
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