UK Travel, UK Money and UK Visas – Health Insurance World
When going to the UK to travel or work, or abroad in general, it is important to familiarise yourself with the basics of how the country functions, especially when it pertains to money and travel plans.
UK Money
Credit Cards in the UK
Any credit card that bears the Visa, MasterCard or American Express 'badge' will be widely accepted in Britain. Visitors with other cards should ask in advance or see if that badge is on display where they wish to use it. Please note that retailers now have the option to charge more for goods and services bought by credit card; they are obliged to display a clear indication that differentiated pricing applies. You should note that when purchasing UK international medical insurance it is highly likely that a 5% surcharge will be added to the cost.
For impartial advice on taking out a comprehensive UK international medical insurance plan, please contact our global medical consultants.
UK Money
UK money is based on the decimal system; there are one hundred pence to each pound sterling (£). Notes are issued to the value of £50, £20, £10 and £5. Scottish £1 notes are still in circulation in Scotland. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have some different coins and notes from the mainland but the monetary system is the same. Coins are issued to the value of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p.
Bank opening hours in the UK
Generally, weekday opening hours are 0930 to 1630. Opening hours are decided by the individual banks and may differ considerably from branch to branch depending on the location. Many branches have 24-hour banking lobbies where a range of services can be obtained through machines. Visitors from overseas should check with their own bank whether they will be able to gain access to these facilities.
(As a general rule, any cash machine that displays the Visa badge can be used by Plus cardholders and those displaying the MasterCard badge can be used by Cirrus cardholders.)
Some banks are open all day on Saturday and a few are now open on Sundays for limited hours. All banks are closed on public holidays. Some banks in Scotland close for an hour at lunchtime. If you need British currency when the banks are closed, you can obtain it at larger high-street travel agents, in the exchange offices in large department stores, at counter desks in larger hotels or at one of the many independent Bureaux de Change. Regulations require all Bureaux de Change to clearly display all exchange rates and full details of any fees and rates of commission.
What travel documents do I need?
UK Visas
What travel documents do I need?
On arrival in the United Kingdom, a person must show a valid national passport or other document satisfactorily establishing his/her identity and nationality. BN(O)/HKSAR passport holders who wish to spend less than six months in the UK as tourists or business visitors may do so without a visa. However, on their arrival, they will have to produce a valid BN(O)/HKSAR passport, hold onward or round trip tickets, evidence that they can support themselves throughout their stay and satisfy the Immigration Officer of their intent to stay for the stated period.
The UK public health service is of a high standard but foreigners traveling to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales should be aware that only emergency treatment is free of charge. You should take out a comprehensive health insurance world plan if you plan to visit the UK. Most health insurance world plans can often offer both inpatient and outpatient cover, but if you would like advice on what cover to include in your health insurance world policy please contact our consultants.
Want to ask a question or leave a comment? Click Here
Recent Questions / Comments:
| Click Here to Read the Answer | |
| Hi, My mom will be coming from north africa to visit me in the USA and stay for acouple of weeks. Recently she has been having a heavy hand and legs feeling. She has been prescribed a medication that is usualy prescribed for patients with mild parkinson's. I would like to get some second opinion and test(scans) performed on her in the USA. I don't think that she has parkinson's and I would like to confirn this in a center/hospital that I trust. My mom has an inssurance coverage with mutuelle Maroc,which is a partner with SwissLife and AXA. I wonder if she can get an international coverage with your company that will covers specialist evaluation, MRI, and oether scans if necessary. Thank you | |
| Click Here to Read the Answer | |
| Hi, We (Doanldson Europe BVBA in Belgium) are looking for a hosptal & medical insurance for one of our families (family van den Enden) we are relocating to Brockville, Canada. Up till now we haven't found an insurance compay willing to cover the pre-existing condition of Mrs. van den Enden which is bronchial asthma. Would you be able to offer us a solution with an insurance who is willing to cover also the pre-existing condition. Thanks in advance for your reply, Veerle Matthijs | |
| Click Here to Read the Answer | |
| do you have any insurance plan for Ivf treatment? Like if the first attempt is not successful then is there any plan to cover the next attempt? | |
