Visas & Immigration
On Arrival
Immigration Control – EEA
nationals
You will be admitted freely if you produce your national
identity card or passport on arrival. However, if you have
dependants who want to live with you in the UK and who are not
EEA nationals, remember they will need to
show that they have entry clearance, and should obtain this at a
British Embassy before travelling.
Immigration Control – Nationals of countries outside the
EEA
When you arrive in the UK, you will have to pass through
immigration control. You should make sure you carry all the
following documents with you in your hand luggage:
- Passport and your UK visa
- Your CAS statement from the Royal
Welsh College
- Documentary evidence that you have enough money to pay for your
tuition fees and living costs (more information about the UK Border
Agency (UKBA) maintenance requirements
can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.)
- Medical certificates/ chest X-rays, especially if you are
coming from a high-risk TB area. Failure to provide a chest X-ray
could lead to a delay of up to three hours at immigration control
(more information about TB screening can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions)
page.
From 30 November 2009, the UKBA is
introducing fingerprint checks at the border for passengers who
have provided their biometrics during the visa application process.
The purpose of this check is to verify that the individual entering
the UK is the same person who applied for their visa and using
fingerprints enables the UKBA to do this
with greater certainty. More information about this can be found on
the
UK Visas website.
If you experience any problems when passing through
immigration control, you should provide the Immigration Officer
with the following telephone number(s) to speak to a member
of Royal Welsh College staff who may be able to provide
relevant information: +44 (0)29 2039 1328, +44 (0)29 2039
1361
Passing through Customs Control
When you have passed through immigration control you will
collect your luggage from the Baggage Reclaim area and then pass
through Customs. You will see three channels:
- RED Items to declare
- GREEN Nothing to declare
- BLUE Arrivals from a European country
If you are asked to open your luggage for inspection by a
Customs Officer then you must do so. Details of what you may bring
into the UK are available from British Embassies, High Commissions
or Consulates, and you are advised to check before travelling.
Please note there are certain items you are not allowed to bring
into the UK to protect citizens’ health, safety and environment.
For example, it is illegal to bring meat, fish, cheese, honey and
other animal products into the UK from many countries outside the
EU. Please visit the
HM Revenue and Customs website for more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this
page is given in good faith and has been carefully checked with
The UK Council
for International Student Affairs and the UK Border Agency. However
please note that the Royal Welsh College of Music &
Drama accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy.
Immigration law is subject to change; please ensure that you have
the most up to date information by checking the websites listed
under the “Useful resources” subheading above.