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This section will provide information regarding other types of visiting the UK.

Child Visitors

This page explains what you need to do if you wish to travel to the United Kingdom and you are a person under the age of 18 or if you wish your child to visit the United Kingdom. To come to the United Kingdom as a child visitor you must be able to show that you:

  • meet the general visitor requirements other than those that refer to age and study;
  • are under 18 years at the time of your application;
  • can show that suitable arrangements are in place for your travel, reception and care and can provide full details of these arrangements;
  • have a parent or guardian in your home country who is responsible for your care and can provide their address and landline telephone number; and
  • if accepted on a course of study, is studying at an establishment which is: 1) the holder of a sponsor licence for Tier 4 of the Points Based System, or 2) accredited by a UKBA approved accreditation body, or 3) an independent fee paying school registered with the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

In addition to meeting the general requirements of the visitor rules on maintenance, accommodation, intentions and affordability of the visit, the following must be provided:

  • evidence of the child's travel arrangements where known and, unless they are travelling unaccompanied, with whom they are travelling. This may just be evidence of inclusion in the parent's or guardian's travel arrangements. The details of the adult accompanying the child will be required unless the child is travelling unaccompanied, as well as who is receiving the child once the child arrives in the United Kingdom;
  • evidence of where the child will be staying and with whom. This may just be evidence of the parent's or guardian's accommodation arrangements in the United Kingdom. If not, then details of the person the child will be staying with will be needed, as well as their address and a landline telephone number;
  • if the parent or guardian is not making the visa application on the child's behalf, a letter will be required from the parent or guardian, giving permission for the child to make the visit, confirming his/her relationship to the child and giving full contact details.

If a child is granted a visa as a child visitor, the vignette (sticker) in the child's passport will give the details of the adult accompanying hime/her, and say that the visa is only valid if the child is physically accompanied by the named adult. It is therefore essential that you decide on the name of the adult who will accompany the child before you make the visa application.

Private Medical Treatment

To come to the United Kingdom for medical treatment you must be able to show that:

  • you meet the requirements for leave to enter as a visitor;
  • if suffering from a communicable disease there is no danger to public health;
  • your course of treatment is for a limited period of time;
  • you have made satisfactory arrangements for the consultation or treatment you need;
  • you have enough money to pay for any treatment and to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds; and
  • you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your treatment.

You can extend your stay in the UK under this category under exceptional circumstances. You must ensure you apply in advance, before your leave expires.

Coming to the UK to get married

If you or your future husband, wife or civil partner are not nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can visit the United Kingdom together to get married or register a civil partnership as long as you intend to leave the country within six months. If you are planning to get married or register your civil partnership in the United Kingdom and you are subject to immigration control while in the United Kingdom, you may need to apply for a certificate of approval from the Home Office.

Religious ceremonies - The rules on certificate of approval do not currently apply if you plan to get married at an Anglican Church in England or Wales, after marriage banns or with a religious licence. You should contact a member of the clergy at the church where you plan to get married for more help.
If you plan to marry in any other form of religious ceremony you will need to contact the people who will be conducting the ceremony.


Student Visitors

You can come to the UK on a short term to do a short course. You must also show that:

Additionally, you must have been accepted on a course of study that will be provided by an organisation which is:

  • the holder of a sponsor licence for Tier 4 of the points- based system; or
  • accredited by an accrediation body approved by the UK Border Agency; or
  • an overseas higher education institution which offers only part of its programmes in the United Kingdom, holds its own national accreditation and offers programmes that are of an equivalent level to a United Kingdom degree.

You must not:

  • take employment in the United Kingdom;
  • engage in business, produce goods or provide services within the United Kingdom, including selling goods or services direct to members of the public;
  • study at a government-funded school;
  • be a child under the age of 18;
  • undertake part-time or full-time vacation employment;
  • undertake a work placement or internship.

 

If you arrive in the United Kingdom as part of a group, or have the intention of joining a group once you arrive in the United Kingdom, you can travel under the group travel scheme and go to a separate area in the airport called the group travel point. This is an area where the members of a group can meet before going through immigration control. By using group travel you will:

  • pass through immigration control faster;
  • be kept together with your group;
  • be able to arrive individually and meet up; and
  • join tours in the United Kingdom and use the group travel point to meet.

Group Travel Scheme

You do not need to travel with a group leader as part of the group travel scheme. The group travel scheme operates at the ports below.

Heathrow Airport

  • Terminal 3
  • Terminal 4

Gatwick Airport

  • North terminal
  • South terminal

When you arrive in the United Kingdom you should:

  • give your landing card to the immigration officer together with any invitation cards or information leaflets issued by your tour operator or travel agent abroad;
  • stay together in a group, if possible; and
  • follow signs in the immigration arrival hall to the group travel point.