Questions tagged [uk]

An island country in Western Europe, consisting of Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and Northern Ireland.

UK flag, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg United Kingdom (UK)

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in , made up of , , , and . It lies across the English Channel (la Manche) from , and across the North Sea from , , and .

The main language is English. Other languages are also spoken, like Irish in Northern Ireland, Welsh in Wales, and Scottish in Scotland.

The capitals of the United Kingdom are:

  • (Capital of the United Kingdom and Great Britain)
  • (Capital of Wales)
  • (Capital of Scotland)
  • (Capital of Northern Ireland)

Although the names United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England are sometimes used interchangeably, Great Britain is properly the name of the larger island containing England, Wales, and Scotland. These three, plus Northern Ireland, make up the four “constituent countries” of the United Kingdom.

This tag should be used for questions specific to the region, such as travel to, through, or from the UK.

Useful links

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Should I submit bank statements when applying for a UK Visa? What do they say about me?

The UK Visas and Immigration Directorate publishes guidance that provides helpful tips that can result in successful visa applications. Section 2 of this guidance opens is entitled "other documents you may want to provide" (emphasis mine). Section…
Gayot Fow
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How can I convince airport screeners to stop asking why I prefer pat-downs?

At a London airport, a security screener ordered my granddad to the full-body scanner. As a Luddite, he requested a full pat-down. But this screener, and 3 others, kept rebuffing him: Screener: Why don't you just use the body scanner? What's the…
user13759
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The UK has voted to leave the EU. How does Brexit affect people traveling to the UK and vice-versa?

On 23rd of June, 2016, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the EU. This leads to the following questions: Are UK citizens traveling to the EU affected? Are EU citizens traveling to the UK affected? Are UK/EU family members traveling both way…
JonathanReez
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How to use sinks with separate hot/cold taps?

I just traveled to Ireland. I was amazed to find that water sinks (at home, restaurants and public) have separate taps for hot and cold water. If you use only the cold water, your hands freeze. If you use only hot water, your hands burn. How do…
Yousf
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How to answer "Have you ever been refused a visa?" if I've had a refusal overturned

A few years ago, I applied for a UK visa. The visa was initially refused and I had no rights of appeal. However, the refusal letter had some glaring mistakes and I sent an email to the Embassy. The refusal was "overturned" by an ECM. I am now making…
uberqe
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UK visa refusal on V 4.2 a + c (and sometimes 'e')

Many of the UK visa refusals we see here share a common pattern and the prevailing reasons refer to V 4.2 (a) and (c). I do understand that, while the applicants may describe very different individual circumstances, there's a consistent pattern…
Giorgio
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Job interview in London requires me to wire money to the travel agent. Is this a scam?

I was told that I can have a visitor visa to UK, is this legitimate? I have received an invitation letter and a job offer, and I was contacted by the appointed travel agent to prepare all related documents for the visit such as flight tickets,…
O.Mustafa
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What are these stamps in my passport after I was advised to divert via the UK but didn't have a visa?

I am from Myanmar. I was on my way to Venice from Brussels while holding Schengen visa (single entry). I bought a British Airways ticket to fly from Brussels to Venice. Unfortunately, on that day, all BA flights from Brussels were canceled. British…
Ei Ei San
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UK visa blank refusal letter without reason for refusal

I received my refusal letter today for my standard visitor visa application for the UK. However, the reason for refusal is not mentioned anywhere on the letter and it appears more of an unfilled template. How may I proceed after this? Do I contact…
Dooha333
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Should I not use double things in a double room if I have booked it as a single guest?

Some hotels physically don't have single rooms even if they can be booked so. The towels, soap, shampoo and so on are always for two guests. I'm not a wasteful person, but I wonder if I'm allowed to use everything in the room. I guess, hotels don't…
user63373
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Refused entry into Schengen after Ryanair checked passport. Now the airline wants me to pay a fine. What are my options?

I was travelling from London to Kaunas (Lithuania) and was refused entry because I did not have a biometric passport, even though a Ryanair officer at the gate before boarding checked my passport, consulted with her colleague on the radio and said I…
Ani Vers
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What is the highest viewing spot in London that is accessible free of charge?

I would like to visit a viewing spot in London, but I don't want to pay any entrance fees. Where is the highest spot to do so? Note that restaurants and bars (or other freely accessible venues) are accepted as an answer, since their cheapest drink…
JonathanReez
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Is there a way to find out if I need a transit visa for a layover in the UK?

Is there a website or some other way to find out if I need a transit visa for a short stop in the UK on my way somewhere else? Ideally this should give me the answer for all nationalities, and take into account any other visas I may have.
DJClayworth
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Why are some pedestrian traffic lights covered in shades in London?

I recently visited London and noticed some pedestrian traffic lights are covered weirdly so they're only visible from some angles. Looking it up in a search here didn't bring up any results. Does anyone know why they're going through the trouble…
Benjamin Gruenbaum
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How to correct a passport stamp in the UK?

My daughter is visiting the UK from the US for a semester study-abroad program. Because it is less than 6 months, she doesn't need a Tier 4 visa. She arrived a few weeks before the program started in order to do some sight-seeing, staying with…
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