Travel documents.
HOLIDAY / TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION FOR U.K CITIZENS
THIS PAGE COVERS:
Passports.
Visas.
Healthcare documents.
Travel Insurance.
International driving licence.
Travel money.
PASSPORT
Before leaving the United Kingdom, or for flights and ferry services within the British Isles you must obtain a passport.
U.K residents are required to surrender their passports at any border or security checkpoint in all other countries.
Passports are required for all air and sea travel within the U.K as a security measure, but not required on bus or train journeys unless crossing water.
Passports can be obtained from any U.K Passport Office, a British Post Office or by visiting the British Passport Office website.
You can find the Passport Office website by visiting - www.uk-passport.net
VISAS
United Kingdom residents are freely allowed to travel within the open borders of any E.U country and can enter 152 countries around the world without the need of a visa or, in some cases, can purchase a visitors visa upon arrival.
Dark blue - No visa required. Passport required only on airlines or ferry services.
Blue / green - No visa required. Passport required for air or sea travel.
Grey - Pre - bought visa required. Passport required.
Pale green - No visa required or a buy on arrival visa is required. Passport required.
Dark green - Visa free or buy on arrival visa required. Passport required.
Flourescent green - Chinese visa required. Passport required.
Forty four countries in the world require U.K citizens to pre-buy a visa. Visa applications need to be made by ringing the appropriate country's consulate or embassy at least three months prior to travelling. Below are listed some of the most popular destinations that will require a pre- bought visa;
Australia.
Bhutan - Holiday itinerary also required.
China.
Cuba.
India.
Mongolia - Holiday itinerary also required.
Myanmar - Holiday itinerary also required.
Qatar - Sponsor required from a Qatar national.
Russian Federation - Holiday itinerary also required.
Saudi Arabia - Sponsor required from a Saudi national.
HEALTHCARE DOCUMENTS
Some countries have a reciprocol healthcare arrangement with the U.K allowing all U.K residents to obtain low cost or even free healthcare, by way of an EHIC - European Health Insurance Card -. These documents can be obtained from any U.K high street post office or online.The countries covered by the EHIC are all E.U countries, all British Overseas and Crown Territories and certain others.
You can find the EHIC website by visiting - ehicdirect.org.uk
For all countries not mentioned in any of the lists below, healthcare insurance should be obtained.
Health care insurance can be obtained from any reputable insurance agent either online or from a high street travel agent and will cover doctors, dentists or hospital fees, prescription / medicine charges, ambulance fees, repatriation costs and in some cases, accommodation fees for travelling companions.
E.U COUNTRIES;
Austria.
Belgium.
Bulgaria.
Cyprus, republic of.
Czech Republic.
Denmark.
Estonia.
Finland.
France.
Germany.
Greece.
Hungary.
Ireland, republic of.
Italy.
Latvia.
Lithuania.
Luxembourg.
Malta.
Netherlands.
Poland.
Portugal.
Romania.
Slovenia.
Slovaki.
Spain.
Sweden.
BRITISH OVERSEAS AND CROWN TERRITORIES;
Akrotiri and Dhekelia Cyprus.
Anguilla.
Bermuda.
British Indian Ocean Islands.
British Virgin Islands.
Cayman Islands.
Channel Islands.
Falkland Islands.
Gibraltar.
Isle of Man.
Monserrat.
Northern Ireland.
Pitcairn Island.
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha Islands.
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.
Turk and Caicos Islands.
OTHERS;
Armenia.
Australia.
Azerbaijan.
Belarus.
Bosnia and Herzogovenia.
Croatia.
Georgia.
Kazakstan.
Kyrgystan.
Macedonia.
Moldovia.
New Zealand.
Norway.
Russian Federation.
Serbia and Montenegro.
Tajikstan.
Turkmenistan.
Uzbekistan.
Ukraine.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is not compulsory but it is strongly advised. Travel insurance covers many eventualities arising from foreign travel, including loss, theft, repatriation, consular representation and extra accommodation fees and certain other travel costs in the event of particularly long delays.
Travel insurance can be obtained from any reputable insurance agent either online or from a high street travel agent, but various criteria and prices will apply to each and every policy, so do read the fine print to ensure that you purchase an insurance policy which is right for you.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENCE
An international driving licence (IDP) is valid for twelve months from date of issue and permits the holder to drive a private vehicle when accompanied with a valid U.K driving licence.
An IDP is issued by the Automobile Association (AA). One can apply for an ADP by post, at a Post Office or from any AA Port Travel Shop.
For details of the various licence requirements visit the AA website at
For other information about taking your car abroad visit
TRAVEL MONEY
Travel money can be obtained online, from post offices, from high street travel agencies and at airports. Rates will vary greatly from one supplier to another, so always be prepared to shop around when buying foreign currency and don't be afraid to haggle if you think the rate you are being charged is too high. Daily international currency rates can be found in the national press, at high street banks and post offices and online. For more information visit one of the links below.
Online live currency rates - www.xe.com
Online travel money provider - www.ace-fx.com
Airport bureau de change - www.travelex.co.uk
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