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27 Aug Visiting the UK

Posted on August 27, 2021 in Other Visas by
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How do I enter the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can enter the UK for up to 6 months without a visa, using a valid passport or national identity card. However, from 1 October 2021 national identity cards will no longer be accepted unless:

  • You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • are waiting for a decision under the EUSS
  • have an EUSS family permit
  • have a frontier worker permit
  • are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
  • are a Swiss national and have a Service Provider from Service Provider from Switzerland visa.

The above will only be able to use their national identity cards to enter up until 31 December 2025.

If you are an Irish citizen, you can continue to enter and reside in the UK.

How do I enter as a non-EEA family member to join a EU, EEA or Swiss citizen?

You will need to travel using your valid passport and one the following:

  • EUSS family permit
  • UK-issued EEA family permit
  • UK-issued biometric residence permit

What about if I am a non-EEA national?

You will need to travel with a valid passport and visa if your country of nationality appears on the visitor visa national list. You will be able to check this using the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-visitor-visa-national-list

Certain nationalities will be able to benefit from entering the UK using the ePassport gates at the airport such as those listed below:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • United States of America

Travelling for business purposes

EU, EEA and Swiss Citizens travelling to the UK for a short business trip (up to 6 months) are not required to apply for a visa. According to Appendix C of the Immigration Rules, visitors can participate in the following activities:

  • attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews
  • give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches provided these are not organised as commercial events and will not make a profit for the organiser
  • negotiate and sign deals and contracts
  • attend trade fairs, for promotional work only, provided the visitor is not directly selling; and
  • carry out site visits and inspections
  • gather information for their employment overseas
  • be briefed on the requirements of a UK based customer, provided any work for the customer is done outside of the UK.

Working in the UK as an EU, EUSS or Swiss citizen

You will be required to apply for a visa such as the Skilled Worker visa in order to legally work in the UK. However, if you only commute to the UK for work, you can apply for a frontier worker visa.

For any concerns regarding UK immigration, please give us a call on: 02033843075.

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.