If you are a citizen of the United States with a valid U.S. passport and intend to visit the United Kingdom as a tourist, a passport is all you need to enter the U.K. If you do not currently have a passport, you may apply for one through the U.S. State Department, which has forms on its website. If you already have a passport, be certain it is not expired, and that it will not expire while you are traveling. If you are not a United States national, you may need to obtain additional documentation before you can enter the United Kingdom. Consult the U.K. Home Office's Visa Services website for specifics.
If you plan to enroll in an educational institution, work or seek employment in the United Kingdom during your stay, you must apply for the appropriate visa or work permit. The Home Office's Visa Services website has specifics. Obtain the necessary documents before you arrive in the U.K. You cannot apply for a work permit or student visa after you arrive.
All persons arriving in the United Kingdom from the U.S. or another country must fill out a landing card. Every passenger in the party must complete a card. If you are traveling with young children or disabled persons, you must complete the cards for them. This card asks for personal information (much of which is already in your passport), your occupation, what items you are bringing into the country, and the address (including postal code) where you will spend most of your time while in the U.K. Airlines, cruise companies and rail transportation firms generally distribute these cards to passengers shortly before arrival.
