UK Border Force Top Tips for First Time Student Arrivals

As part of your preparations for your studying in the UK this year, Border Force want to make sure you have everything you need to get through the UK border as quickly and smoothly as possible.
When you arrive at passport control, you should expect Border Force officers to ask you simple questions about your studies or your stay in the UK.
Additionally when you arrive at the UK border control, please make sure you:

1. Have your passport ready and remove it from any cover.
2. Have completed a landing card (if a non EEA National).
3. Have your university Certificate of Acceptance Studies (CAS) number. If you don’t have a CAS number please brings details of your course of study.
4. Keep any medical documentation, recent bank statement and details of where you are staying in your hand luggage, we may ask to see this information.
5. Do not give false or misleading information (including forged or counterfeit documents).

Please have this documentation ready in your hand luggage (do not place these documents in the airplane luggage hold).
There are restrictions on what you can bring into the UK:

6. This includes certain foods, plants, alcohol, tobacco, gifts and sums of money equivalent to $10,000 or more.
7. Do not bring in endangered plants or animals, this includes ivory, skins, hides and shells and any products made from them.
8. Never bring in counterfeit goods, illegal drugs, offensive weapons or indecent or obscene material. Some items are restricted and will require a licence or permit.

More information on these restrictions can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Once you have cleared the border, we hope you enjoy your time studying in the UK.

Related topics

• International Study Visas
• Study in the UK
• UK Student Visa Guide
• Study in Europe