United Kingdom - Business Travel UK-Business Travel
Business Customs
UK business customs are similar to those in the United States, as the British class structure, based on family history, profession, as well as property and land ownership, continues to erode through taxation, education, and social developments over the last few decades. Liberalization of business and industry has rewarded enterprise and a new generation of professionals schooled in management, marketing and finance techniques has increasingly taken charge. The 2011 Census demonstrated that England and Wales have become more ethnically diverse, with minority ethnic groups continuing to rise since 1991.
Some fundamental cultural differences between the U.S. and the UK remain. Variations in pace and style may be most noticeable and sustained personal contact with potential business partners is expected. Prompt acknowledgment of correspondence, longer lead time for appointments, adherence to appointment schedules and a greater formality in the conduct of business is the norm.
British executives communicate typically by phone and e-mail. The British are less likely to seek legal advice and guidance than their U.S. counterparts, although a litigation culture is developing along the lines of the U.S. model – i.e. no win, no fee cases have recently been permitted.
Travel Advisory
The State Department’s Passports and International Travel department provides information for travel to the United Kingdom.
The State Department’s Travel Alerts provides information on travel warnings.
Visa Requirements
Entry, exit and visa requirements Information for the United Kingdom
UK Visa Information
Registered Traveller: faster entry through the UK border
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.:
Currency
The UK’s currency is the pound sterling £/GBP. Despite being in the European Union (at least until the end October 2019), the UK has not adopted the euro. The pound is generally a stable currency. Banknotes are issued in England and Wales by the Bank of England. There are four different denominations of banknote. They are £5, £10, £20 and £50. There are 100 pence (p) in a pound. UK coins come in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p denominations. There are also £1 and £2 coins.
Seven banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland are authorized to issue banknotes.
Three banks are authorized to issue banknotes in Scotland:
- Bank of Scotland plc;
- Clydesdale Bank plc; and
- The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
Four banks are authorized to issue banknotes in Northern Ireland:
- Bank of Ireland (UK) plc
- AIB Group (UK) plc (trades as First Trust Bank in Northern Ireland);
- Northern Bank Limited (trades as Danske Bank); and
- Ulster Bank Limited.
Businesses in England and Wales generally accept the Scottish and Northern Irish notes, but are not obliged to.
The Channel Islands, Gibraltar, British Overseas Territories and the Isle of Man also issue their own banknotes, but these are not accepted on the UK mainland or for foreign exchange purposes. It is imperative you exchange these before your return to the UK mainland or the U.S. They can be exchanged at banks in the UK. Some places in the Channel Islands have ATMs side by side, one for English notes and the other for Island notes.
Credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in London’s restaurants, bars, cafés and shops. American Express and Diners Club are less commonly accepted.
There are many cash machines, also known as cashpoints or ATMs located across the UK. Most accept international cards with the Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Cirrus or Maestro symbols. Some other systems are also recognized though it is a good idea to check with your bank or card company before you travel. If you have a non-UK account, you will most certainly be charged when you withdraw cash.
You may see cash machines in some corner shops and small supermarkets. Please check before using them as they are likely to charge a fee for transactions. In more rural areas, cash machines are rarer and tend to be located near supermarkets or at the odd bank, if this is open.
If you are using your debit card and are accustomed to entering your PIN alphabetically, please make sure that you also know its numeric equivalent. Most UK cashpoints have only a numeric keypad.
Contactless payment systems using a card or mobile phone are becoming more prevalent, especially in metropolitan areas. There is a £30 (approx. $40) limit on contactless transactions, slightly higher than most European countries.
With wide availability and use of cash machines/ATMs, traveler’s checks are less commonly used and some shopkeepers may be reluctant to accept these for modest purchases. It is advisable to take a variety of payment methods when you travel.
Telecommunications/Electronics
The telecommunications system in the United Kingdom is comparable to that of United States. A direct-dial telephone system links the UK to the U.S. and the rest of the world. Calls on landlines can be charged to international telephone cards such as AT&T, MCI and Sprint. The UK has a highly developed mobile network with a 4G signal widely available. Visitors from the U.S. can readily rent or buy pre-pay mobile (cell) phones.
To call the UK from the United States, you should dial: 011 44 followed by the number of the individual or organization whom you are calling, but without the leading 0. For instance, the phone number for the U.S. Commercial Service in London is: 020 7891 3419. To call from the U.S., you should dial: 011 44 20 7891 3419.
To call the United States from the UK, dial: 00 1 then the number of the receiving party, including their area code.
Internet access is available to businesses and home users in various forms, including cable, DSL, and wireless. Wireless internet (Wi-Fi) has become increasingly common in the UK whether this be free or paid for. Most hotels will offer in-house wireless internet, though will likely charge rather high amounts for access. However, many guest houses offer this for free to their guests. In larger cities, simply sitting in a café and checking for Wi-Fi will work, though visitors must be aware of the following safety points when considering Wi-Fi:
- It is an offence in the United Kingdom to use wireless internet without being given the express permission of the administrator. Check for "Free Wi-Fi" or "Wi-Fi Access Here" signs before logging on.
- Connecting to a Wi-Fi network without an adequate firewall poses a security risk to your device.
- Attempting to connect to a person's private Wi-Fi router is known as "freeloading" and is an offence, punishable by law.
In the UK the standard voltage is 230 V. The standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power sockets that are used are of type G. Traveler adapters and power/voltage converters can be purchased throughout UK stores or ordered online.
Transportation
Road conditions in the UK can differ significantly from those in the U.S. UK penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are stiff and often result in prison sentences. In contrast to U.S. traffic, which moves on the right side of the road, UK traffic moves on the left. Visitors uncomfortable with or intimidated by the prospect of driving on the left side of the road may wish to use the United Kingdom’s extensive bus, rail, and air transport networks.
Roads in the UK are generally excellent though are narrow and often congested in urban areas. If you plan to drive while in the UK, you may wish to obtain a copy of the Highway Code, available for purchase at most UK bookstores.
It is illegal to use a hand-held cell phone or similar device while driving in the United Kingdom. Only hands-free phones may be used.
The speed limit on highways/motorways in the United Kingdom is 70 mph, or lower when posted. Motorways generally have a hard shoulder (breakdown lane) on the far left, defined by a solid white line. It is illegal to stop or park on a hard shoulder unless it is an emergency. In such cases, you should activate your hazard lights, get out of your vehicle, and go onto an embankment for safety.
Emergency call boxes (orange telephone booths with “SOS” printed on them) may be found at half-mile intervals along the motorway. White and blue poles point in the direction of the nearest call box. Emergency call boxes dial directly to a motorway center. It is best to use these phones rather than a personal cell phone, because motorway center personnel will immediately know the location of a call received from an emergency call box.
Roadside towing services may cost approximately £150 (approximately $220). However, membership fees of automotive associations such as the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) or AA (Automobile Association) often include free roadside towing service.
Travelers intending to rent cars in the United Kingdom should be aware that the steering wheel will be on the right side of the car and the driver will use the left hand to operate the gear shift. Travelers should make sure they are adequately insured. U.S. auto insurance is not always valid outside the United States, and travelers may wish to purchase supplemental insurance, which is generally available from most major rental agents.
Authorities impose a daily congestion charge of £11.50 (about $16) on all cars entering much of central London Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The easiest way to pay is by registering for Congestion Charge Auto Pay. Exemptions and discounts are available. You can pay in advance or on the day of travel. If you don't pay by midnight, on the following charging day after you drove in the zone, you'll get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The penalty charge is £160 or discounted to £80 if paid within 14 days. Information on the congestion charge can be found on the Transport for London website.
Non-UK-resident drivers charged with motoring offenses are often unable to provide a verifiable address for delivery of a summons (subpoena) to appear in court, or fail to return for court if released on bail. U.S. citizens may be detained and arrested if they cannot provide a UK address to receive a subpoena or are about to depart the United Kingdom and have to be brought to court quickly for a motoring offense. If alleged offenders attend court and are found not guilty, the deposit is returned.
To help improve air quality, an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was recently introduced operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year within the same area of central London as the Congestion Charge. Most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone. This is £12.50 (circa $16) for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles and vans (up to and including 3.5 tons). For heavier vehicles, including lorries (over 3.5 tons) and buses/coaches (over 5 tons), the charge is £100 (circa $130). Like the Congestion Charge, ULEZ charges can be paid automatically by setting up Auto Pay.
Public transport in the United Kingdom is extensive. London has a comprehensive bus network, the London Underground (the Tube) and public bicycles for hire (Santander Cycles). Fares on buses and the Tube should be paid for with an Oyster contactless card or with a contactless debit or credit card. Tickets are not available. Cash is not accepted on buses. Information on disruptions to London transportation services can be found on the Transport for London website. Information about the status of National Rail Services can be found on the National Rail Enquiries website. Other cities such as Manchester and Edinburgh have trams. It is against the law to ride bicycles on the pavement (sidewalk).
London black taxis are licensed by Transport for London. All drivers must take The Knowledge showing that they have a comprehensive knowledge of the streets of London and the routes from points A to B. Black cabs have meters to calculate the fare. Apps such as mytaxi can be used to hail black cabs. Uber and other apps are available to call public-hire vehicles.
Many U.S. citizen pedestrians are injured, some fatally, every year in the United Kingdom because they forget that oncoming traffic approaches from the opposite direction than in the United States. You should exercise extra care when crossing streets; remember to remain alert and look both ways before stepping into the street. Be aware that pedestrians generally do not have the right of way and should not expect vehicles to stop for them.
Driving in Gibraltar is on the right side of the road, as in the United States and continental Europe. Persons traveling overland between Gibraltar and Spain may experience long delays in clearing Spanish border controls. There are no entry tax or other fees payable to enter Gibraltar.
Key links: Transport For London and national rail.
Language
English is the official language of the United Kingdom. Welsh is spoken by a significant minority in Wales. Gaelic is spoken by a small minority in Scotland. In addition, there are many large communities in the UK whose first language is not English. Over 100 languages are spoken in London alone, which continues to be one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
Health
While medical services are widely available, free care under the National Health System (NHS) is allowed only for UK residents, certain EU nationals, and some visa holders. An NHS surcharge is assessed on certain visa applicants at the time of application. Tourists and short-term visitors will not be assessed the surcharge though will be charged 150% of the cost of any medical treatment they receive from the NHS. Unpaid balances of £1,000 or more, can result in being barred from return to the UK. The U.S. Government does not pay medical bills and U.S. Medicare is not valid overseas. Travelers to the United Kingdom should ensure their health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.
Information about health matters in the United Kingdom
Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are all in the Greenwich Mean Time Zone which is five hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. The clocks go forward in spring to British Summer Time and back to GMT in the fall. The dates of the time change are different from those in the U.S.
Opening times for banks in the UK often vary from town to town, city to city and from bank to bank. Standard banking hours are generally, however, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some banks stay open late once per week as well as being open on Saturdays for a limited number of hours.
Offices hours are typically from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Stores are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some grocery stores open 24 hours a day for 6 day a week. At traditional vacation times, many British executives are unavailable except by advance appointment.
List of UK Bank Holidays
Travel Related Web Resources
U.S. Embassy London
UK Home Office
UK Visa Information
Transport for London
National Rail Services
UK Department for Transport
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
International Chamber of Commerce