Passport and visa requirements
You can cross the UK border using a valid passport which should be valid for the whole time you are in the UK. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for short trips without needing a visa.
You cannot use an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK unless:
- You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes.
- You have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
- Have a frontier worker permit.
- Are an S2 Healthcare visitor.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals in the groups mentioned can still use their ID cards to travel to the UK until 31 December 2025. They’ll also be able to use them after that date, if the cards meet the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation
This will also not apply to Gibraltar ID cards issued to British citizens or to passport cards issued to Irish citizens, they will continue to be accepted for travel to the UK.
Passengers under 18
Thousands of children arrive at the UK border each day, many returning from holiday with family or friends.
For the safety and welfare of every child, passengers under the age of 18, travelling without a parent or legal guardian, must arrive with written consent as per the UK Border Force. If the child is travelling alone to the UK, a consent form must be signed by both parents. For most recent and additional information visit https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/if-youre-under-18
Children travelling from the UK
If you are travelling with a child from the United Kingdom, you must get the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for the child or from a court of law before taking the minor abroad. You must carry the consent form, carry a valid photo identification proof (passport or driving license) of both the parents and the birth certificate of the child.
You can also email the consent form with the valid photo identification proof of both the parents and the birth certificate of the child to aitraffic.lhr@airindia.com at least 4 hours before the schedule departure of your flight.
For more details, refer to https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad