Important Information for Vipassana Meditators entering the UK

Changes to regulations entering the UK from overseas - EU and non-EU countries - from 2nd of April 2025.

From 2 April 2025 all visitors to the UK who do not need a visa will need an ETA (electronic travel authorisation). This includes Europeans. Non-Europeans already need an ETA to travel to the UK.

Whether you need a visa or an ETA depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. You can check which applies to you https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

The ETA is straightforward to apply for online via either:
1) the app ‘UK ETA app’ download on Google Play or Apple App Store or
2) the UK government website

Most applicants get an instant decision and the ETA currently costs £10.

Information on who can get an ETA and how to apply before coming to the UK is available on gov.UK

If you are unable to obtain an ETA or your application is refused, you will need to apply for a visa to visit the UK.

The other documents you will need to enter the UK such as a passport or identity document valid for the length of your stay will depend on your nationality. Please check via: https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/before-you-leave-for-the-uk

 

The immigration definitions of ‘study’ and ‘work’ do not apply to sitting or serving at a Vipassana Meditation Centre. Therefore, under ‘What are you coming to do?’ you should select tourism.

Although within our centres we use the terms ‘student’, server’, ‘course’, ‘volunteer’, we cannot expect border officials, or anyone who is not familiar with our organisation, to understand that these terms are not used in the conventional sense of study or work. To avoid confusion, it is better in this context to use the words ‘retreat’ instead of ‘course’, and ‘meditator’ instead of ‘student’ or ‘server’. Meditation is a mental exercise, a spiritual pursuit undertaken for self-development and well-being, and in immigration terms it is a tourist or leisure activity.  At Vipassana centres, the ‘students’ and ‘servers’ are all ‘meditators’, whether sitting for 3 or 10 hours a day. They are all practising the technique, albeit following different daily schedules. Serving is an integral part of the practice. The meditator is primarily serving oneself, and is using service to develop good qualities and strengthen their own meditation practice while living by the centre's rules, timetable and discipline.

In case you are questioned at the border, we can provide a letter of explanation when you have a confirmed place on a course or service period, and you can show this letter to the immigration officials if necessary. It includes the above points and illustrates why someone coming to a Vipassana centre is a genuine visitor under UK immigration law. You may also find it helpful to use this letter when applying for a visa.