What happens at the UK border on arrival?
Border Force checks identity, travel documents and permission to enter, and may ask about the purpose and length of the visit. Entry is decided at the border even when a visa or authorisation has already been granted.
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How it works
Eligible travellers can use ePassport gates, and others are seen at a desk. Customs rules on goods, cash and restricted items are separate from immigration and are enforced on the same arrival.
Commonly mixed up with
Holding a visa or an ETA is permission to travel, and the entry decision is still made on arrival.
What happens at the UK border on arrival?
| Knowledge, London | Legal, visa and entry |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Border Force checks identity, travel documents and permission to enter, and may ask about the purpose and length of the visit. Entry is decided at the border even when a visa or authorisation has already been granted. |
| How it works | Eligible travellers can use ePassport gates, and others are seen at a desk. Customs rules on goods, cash and restricted items are separate from immigration and are enforced on the same arrival. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Holding a visa or an ETA is permission to travel, and the entry decision is still made on arrival. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Can I use the ePassport gates?
- Eligibility depends on nationality and age.
- What questions are asked?
- Purpose, length of stay and where you are staying are common.
- Are there cash rules?
- Cash above a published threshold must be declared.
- Can entry be refused?
- Yes, the officer decides at the border.
- Where are the rules?
- GOV.UK publishes border and customs rules.
Sources
More in this track
- What is the UK ETA and who needs one?
- Which UK work visa routes exist?
- What passport validity does the UK require?
- Can visitors use the NHS in London?
- How long can a visitor stay in the UK?
- How do family members join someone in the UK?
- What is the right to rent check in England?
- Can you drive in the UK on a foreign licence?
- What consumer rights apply when you buy in the UK?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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