European And Swiss Citizen Visitors To The UK

• Published date: 18 July 2021
• Subject Matter: Immigration, General Immigration, Work Visas
• Law Firm: Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers
• Author: Geraldine Peterson

It is important for all visitors to the UK to know which activities are permitted for visitors - and which are not. Visitors, including EU and Swiss national visitors now that the UK has left the EU, may be questioned about the purpose of their visit at the UK border. Visitors who know what they must demonstrate to border officials about the circumstances of their visit should not have difficulties entering the UK. In this post we look at what activities European and Swiss nationals who wish to visit the UK can (and cannot) undertake in the UK.

Visiting the UK as a European or Swiss Citizen

European and Swiss citizens will have become accustomed to entering the UK without much thought about the activities they will be undertaking in the UK. However, now that the UK has left the EU, the permitted activities for a visitor to the UK are a consideration for all EU or Swiss citizens who wish to visit the UK.

EU or Swiss nationals generally do not need to arrange visit visas before arriving in the UK; in this regard they join the non-visa national countries not on the 'visa national' list. An exception is the marriage visit visa, which needs to be applied for before coming to the UK. However this does not mean an EU or Swiss national should not be prepared to answer questions about their visit to the UK when arriving at border control. The Home Office guidance to its decision-makers specifically says this:

"At the border, you should expect the applicant to be able to answer questions on what they plan to do in the UK."

All visitors to the UK need to meet the 'genuine' visitor criteria when visiting the UK. At border control EU or Swiss national visitors may be asked to demonstrate that they are genuine visitors, and may need to prove that they:-

1. Will leave the UK at the end of their visit;
2. Are not coming back and forth to the UK so often that they are living in the UK for extended periods/are making the UK their home (although note, there is no number of 'set' days within a year that a visitor can spend in the UK, such as only 6 months in a 12 month period; the assessment is more of a balanced judgment of the circumstances which have led to the frequent visits);
3. Will only undertake activities permitted for visitors (see below);
4. Will not undertake activities prohibited for visitors (see below);
5. Can meet their expenses both in the UK and to return to their home country without working or accessing public funds.

EU or Swiss national 'standard' visitors (see...