Visas, Passports and Customs

Visitors to Scotland (and to the rest of the UK) must hold a valid passport before starting their journey. Please note that children may require their own passports.

As for staying here, if you're from the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you can stay as a visitor for up to six months, as long as you've got a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover your stay. If you are visiting from anywhere else you'll need a visa. If you are not from an European Union nation and intend to do any form of work while you are in Scotland, you will need to obtain a work permit to work legally.

All overseas nationals who wish to enter the UK must satisfy the immigration officer at the port of arrival that they meet the requirements of the UK immigration regulations. Application forms to download, lists of visa nationals and information on how to apply for a visa, as well as guidance written especially for visitors coming to the UK are available online from the UKVisas website. The Immigration Advisory Service offers free advice for anyone applying for entry to the UK.

Customs and Duty Free - Travelling From Outside the European Union
You are entitled to an allowance of goods only if you travel with the goods and do not plan to sell them. Make sure that you don't bring anything into, or take anything out of, Scotland, that you shouldn't. Check the HM Customs list of prohibited and restricted goods, for example, drugs, weapons and live animals, if you are unsure.