Travelling in the UK and Europe

Find out more about travelling in the UK and abroad.

Travelling abroad

If you wish to visit another country for a holiday or travel during your vacation period then you may need to apply for a visitor/tourist visa in order to do so. You should check with the country's embassy that you wish to visit to see whether you will need to apply for a visa before you travel. Most parts of the European Union (EU) can be visited by applying for a single Schengen Visa.

You can apply for a travel letter in support of your visitor visa application. To request a travel letter log into Surrey Self Service and select the ‘Letters’ tab. As part of your request, you will need to state which countries you wish to visit, starting with the one you will spend the most time. You can also find information about inviting visitors to the UK through this system.

Please note that most embassies require you to make an appointment and apply for the visa in person. The waiting time for these appointments can be quite long at busy times such as Christmas and Easter, so ensure that you book well in advance of your visit and request your travel letter in plenty of time. After we receive your letter request, we aim to have it ready for collection from MySurrey Hive Stag Hill within two working days.

Travelling in the UK

HOST UK provides the unique opportunity for international students who are studying in the UK to spend a day or a weekend in a British home. The invitations are offered by approved hosts who have volunteered to take part in the programme. Just like you, they are interested in meeting individuals from other parts of the world and learning about your culture. Hosts enjoy sharing meals and conversation and are well equipped to answer questions about the UK.

Eligibility

The programme is open to all international students in higher and further education in the UK who are at least 18 years old and have enrolled on a full-time course of a minimum duration of three months.

All of the host’s homes have been visited by HOST UK and approved as safe, welcoming and hospitable. You can go alone, or with your partner and children if they are living in the UK with you. It is also possible to go together with an international student friend, you should apply separately but give the same dates and travel budget.

HOST UK have experiences available all over the UK, enter your travel budget and the team will set about finding you opportunities to match this.

How to apply

Visits can be for a day, a weekend, or three days at Christmas. Their significance for hosts and guests is much greater than their length suggests and can become a home away from home for a short period.

Apply

Submit an application. Visits are very popular so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Travelling safely

If you are planning a trip, you must be well prepared and take care.

Before you go
  • Take out comprehensive travel insurance which includes adequate medical cover
  • Scan your passport and print a copy of your eVisa so that you can access it from anywhere in the world
  • Scan your Confirmation of Registration letter which can be used as proof that you are a registered student at the University of Surrey
  • Make a note of the contact details of your bank in case you have any problems accessing your bank account overseas or you lose or have your debit or credit card stolen
  • Make a note of the contact details of your embassy in any of the countries you will be visiting in case you lose or have your passport stolen
  • Find out details of the British embassy in any of the countries you will be visiting in case you lose or have your passport stolen
  • Take a guide book and refer to the relevant sections on safety carefully
  • Inform friends and family of your travel itinerary.
While you are away
  • Make sure that your passport is kept in the hotel or room safe along with any other valuable items. If you do not have access to a safe make sure that you carry your valuables in a special money belt or security wallet, preferably worn as a belt, not across your chest or over your shoulder. Try to keep your BRP card separate from your bank cards if possible
  • Do not carry large amounts of cash when you are out and keep your cash and cards separate to reduce the risk of losing everything in the case of theft
  • After using an expensive camera or mobile phone, make sure you put it back somewhere safe and out of sight
  • Do not leave your bags unattended and use padlocks wherever possible.
If you lose your passport or BRP

Please read the information above about how to keep your passport safe while you are travelling overseas. Losing your passport will delay your return to the UK and the process of getting new documents can be expensive and time consuming.

If you lose your passport while overseas, please contact us immediately so that we can support you and ensure your studies are not disrupted. The International Student Advice team can assist you. However, we will be unavailable during official University closure dates therefore you may need to begin the process of renewing your passport yourself by following the instructions below.

I've lost my passport

  • Report the loss or theft to the local police and where necessary get a police report or reference number
  • Contact your Embassy or Consulate for advice on getting a new passport
  • You should not attempt to travel internationally without first getting a new passport or otherwise seeking support from your Embassy or Consulate.

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