Travelling outside the UK? Please take care of your passport and immigration documents
Published on 24 August 12
Please note: No airline or transport operator will allow anyone to travel to the UK without a passport and official visa
When travelling outside the United Kingdom, please take care of your valuables, and particularly take special care of your passport and visas – this is a particularly important reminder for International Students.
Top tips on keeping your valuable documents safe:
- Do not carry your passport or documents with you if don’t need to. Keep your passport and/or biometric residence permit in a safe at your hotel or hostel whenever possible.
- If you do need to carry your passport and/or biometric residence permit, keep them out of sight and out of reach of pickpockets. Keep your valuables in the bottom of your bag and inside securely zipped and fastened pockets – avoid using the back pocket of trousers, or outside pockets of jackets or bags.
- Do not carry anyone else’s passports/biometric residence permits for them.
- Keep a copy of your passport and visa where you can access them easily. Store electronic scans or copies of your documents in password protected online environment such as your University Skydrive/P drive or other free services such as Dropbox. Keep a photocopy in your safe, or in your suitcase at the hotel, and leave a copy with a reliable friend back in Manchester who you can easily contact.
- Take out insurance that will cover the costs you incur if your passport or biometric residence permit is lost or stolen – it will be worth every penny!
If you are a victim of crime abroad:
- If your documents are lost or stolen whilst travelling you must report the theft/loss to the police in the country that you are in and obtain a police report
- If your documents are lost or stolen whilst abroad you need to apply for a replacement travel document from your Embassy in the country that you are in.
- Once you have a replacement passport you need to apply for a visa – find out more online.
If you feel you need further advice on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact the contact the International Advice Team.
The International Advice Team
Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 5000 (option 1) or drop in to the Student Services Centre (number on the 57 campus map) between 10am and 4pm Monday - Friday.
Or email: iat@manchester.ac.uk
Website: www.manchester.ac.uk/international/support/advice/