United Kingdom - Immigration
UK Immigration Procedures for Yacht Crew
Do I Need a Visa?
- Visitors from many countries will require a visa – which should be arranged in advance.
- Visas must be obtained in advance from a British embassy/consulate/visa application center. Some nationalities are eligible to apply for an eVisa.
- See the U.K.Border Agency website for the current list of nationals requiring a visa.
- Persons requiring visas who arrive in the UK without one will be refused entry.
- EU and EEA visitors do not need a visa if only staying for a limited period (max. 180 days), however will need an ETA (see below).
- The U.K. is not part of the Schengen Area.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) will soon be a requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK. It will give you permission to travel to the UK, and it will be electronically linked to your passport. An ETA costs £10.
- Since November 2023, Qatar nationals and other middle eastern countries have been able to apply for an ETA.
- From 27 November, 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA, to travel from 8 January, 2025.
- From 5 March, 2025, eligible Europeans can apply for an ETA, to travel from 2 April, 2025.
Decisions should take 3 working days. See this UK government page for more details.
Yacht Arrival Procedure
Details of all crew/passengers on board must be submitted in advance of arrival, online via the Pleasure Craft Report. See Clearance for full details.
All crew must have a passport valid for the length of their stay – ID cards are no longer accepted as a valid travel document for entry into the UK.
Anyone on board who is not a British or Irish Citizen* must have Border Force permission to enter the UK from a place other than the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands. All crew must remain on board until given either verbal clearance over the phone, or after a visit from Border Force.
Border Force can be contacted on the:
National Yachtline: 0300 123 2012
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Non-visa nationals from EU states, USA, NZ, Australia or Canada, do not get their passports stamped. They will receive a verbal consent to enter. Skippers are recommended to record this consent and the names and numbers of the Border Force officers in the log book.
Arrivals of nationals from all other countries will need to get their passports stamped. This will be done by the visiting Border Force team.
*Note: The United Kingdom is part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) shared with Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. This facilitates the ability of Irish and British citizens to move freely within the CTA. See further details here.
Last updated: October 2024
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Hi Tori,
We are currently trying to work through the logistics of bringing a dog into the UK too. We are all still in Australia. It would seem that the only way to get our puppy into Britain is to travel via a designated port by approved means. For us it will mean taking a berth in Cherbourg and travelling by ferry to Poole with him, placing him in a boarding kennel, returning to Cherbourg then sailing back to Poole where we will reunite
Regards
Michael
I’m sailing from Norway to Britain with a dog. I’ve come to realize Shetland is a no go port. Is it at all possible for us to sail around Britain with a 35 kilo dog, that has all his relevant documents? He’s been to other European countries over the past 5 years with no problem. Any advice?
See the pet section for details please: https://www.noonsite.com/place/united-kingdom/view/pets/
I’m looking of buying a yacht but looking to live on it within either a marina or at a mooring. The yacht would be around 40 foot in length. I’m have trouble finding a marina that allows live aboard while in a marina. Would be grateful if someone can point me in the right direction.
Many thanks Chris
Hi Chris, 100% recommend you join the Cruising Association (CA) and ask their advice. They have a huge membership base in the UK and will be able to let you know the score re. living aboard there.
From my own experience a week ago, I can add Yarmouth in the Solent as a port for supply/shelter during corona shutdown for yachts in transit.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YACHTS VISITING THE UK
It is important to remember that the UK is not part of the Schengen Area Agreement, so it is necessary for any boat with non-EU nationals on board to clear with UK Immigration (many non-EU visitors would be granted a 6-month visitor’s visa).
Failure to report means you are illegal immigrants!
EU citizens automatically have the right to stay (at the moment). The UK leaving the EU will change many regulations.
Non-EU citizens can only freely move within the Schengen Area (for 90 days in any 180 day period) once cleared into their first designated Schengen country. EU countries outside Schengen must be cleared into in the usual way.
It is not unusual for those from outside Europe do not understand the difference between the Schengen Area and the EU. For a full explanation see noonsite’s EU page – http://www.noonsite.com/General/EuropeanUnion