Special Consular Services
Entry into the United Kingdom
A visa is not required for tourist or business visits to the UK of less than six months in duration. Those planning to visit the UK for any purpose other than tourism or business, or who intend to stay longer than six months, should consult the website of the British Embassy in the United States at http://britainusa.com for information about current visa requirements. Those who are required to obtain a visa and fail to do so may be denied entry and returned to their port of origin. The U.S. Embassy cannot intervene in UK visa or immigration matters.
In addition to the British Embassy website at http://britainusa.com, those seeking current UK visa information may also contact UK consular offices via their premium rate telephone service at 1-900-656-5000 (cost $3/minute) or 1-212-796-5773 ($12 flat fee) in the United States. The service operates Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time, excluding public holidays. There is also a no-fee web site for visa information at http://www.visainfoservices.com .
For general information, you can consult the UK Home Office Border and Immigration Agency (UKBIA) website at http://www.ukbia.homeoffice.gov.uk . Entry requirements for specific visa categories (e.g. student, fiancé/e, settlement, employment) may also be found at that site.
If you have been denied entry to the UK, or have encountered difficulties with UK immigration and need professional assistance from qualified immigration practitioners, you may wish to contact:
U.K. Immigrants Advisory Service (UKIAS)
Central London Office 44 (0)20-7967-1200
http://www.iasuk.org
Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC)
http://www.oisc.gov.uk
UKBIA Complaints Unit
PO Box 1384
Croydon, Surrey CR9 3YJ
Tel: 44 (0)87-0241-6523
Fax: 44 (0)20-8760-4310
Email: IND.CU@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://www.ukbia.homeoffice.gov.uk/contact/contactspage/complaints/
| 
Entry into the United Kingdom