United Kingdom - Immigration
UK Immigration Procedures for Yacht Crew
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. This requirement begins in November 2023 for Qatar nationals and continues over the next few months for more nationals from middle eastern countries. Further nationalities will be added to the scheme later with EU countries expected to be needing an ETA later in 2024. Decisions should take 3 working days. See this UK government page for more details.
UK Immigration 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.
Most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are only able to enter the UK using a valid passport. ID cards are no longer accepted as a valid travel document for entry into the UK.
Any crew requiring a visa must have one arranged in advance.
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. Before anyone disembarks from the yacht they must have permission to enter (this may be granted remotely without physically seeing a Border Force officer).
Any problems, and the National Yachtline will be able to advise on how to contact the nearest Border Force office.
*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.
Visa Information:
- The U.K. is not part of the Schengen Area.
- Nationals of countries who do not need a visa are normally granted a stay of a maximum 6 months if they can show sufficient funds.
- See the U.K.Border Agency website for the current list of nationals requiring a visa.
- Visas must be obtained in advance from a British embassy/consulate/visa application center. Persons requiring visas who arrive in the UK without one will be refused entry.
Last updated: April 2024
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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?
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