Land Border: The United Kingdom has just one land border, located in the province of Northern Ireland, with the Republic of Ireland. There are no checks in place crossing this border, either by foot or car owing to the complexity of patrolling it. Crossing by ferry or air from Northern / the Republic of Ireland to mainland UK will require photo identification. For non-UK or Ireland citizens, this will mean national identification cards or passports.
Arriving by ferry, air or train: These are the three main methods of entry into the UK. All citizens of the EEA (EU nations plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino and Andorra) are allowed free passage, right of abode and have the right to work into the UK without impedance. A showing of your passport at Border Control is usually all that's needed and registration with your local JobCentre and Social Security Office.
Non-EEA citizens and nationals have different entry requirements, though for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, other Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "Visa Waiver Program" operates. This entitles the holder to 6 months as a tourist in the UK without needing a visa. You must prove you have sufficient funds for your stay and show a return ticket to Immigration Officials, if asked to do so. If you are non-EEA and seeking employment, you must possess an appropriate work permit prior to landing in the UK.
Citizens of other nations will require visa clearance for entry as a tourist, consult your local British Embassy or Consulate, click here for more details.
Internal Borders: Visitors will also notice border signs when entering and leaving England, Scotland and Wales ("Welcome to England/Scotland" & "Croeso i Gymru").
These borders indicate where one country ends and another begins the same as it would anywhere else in the world. No passport or ID checks are required to cross these borders, but please remember, the Scots and the Welsh have separate identities from the English and the three should not be confused!
