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Country Commercial Guides
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IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL
-- Business Customs:
The British class structure based on property and land ownership has been eroded by 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.
Ethnic minorities constitute less than five percent of the population, but have proved to be valuable contributors to the British economy.
Some fundamental cultural differences between the United States and the U.K. remain. Variations in pace and style will be most noticeable, and sustained personal contact with potential business partners is expected. Prompt acknowledgment of correspondence, adherence to appointment schedules, and a greater formality in the conduct of business is the norm.
British executives communicate more by letter and fax than by telephone, and are less likely to seek legal advice and guidance than their U.S. counterparts.
-- Business Hours:
Banking hours are generally 9:30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Thursdays when banks stay open later. Offices are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., while stores are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At traditional vacation times, many British executives are unavailable except by advance appointment. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are all in the same time zone, five hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
-- Entrance Requirements and Visas:
Every U.S. citizen entering the United Kingdom must have a valid American passport. For non-tourist stays of more than three months, visas or entry permits are required for U.S. citizens entering the U.K. Visitors intending to remain in the U.K. should check in advance with the British Embassy or the nearest British Consulate. The website of the British Embassy in the United States is http://www.britain-info.org/embassy.
Americans intending to seek employment in the U.K. should consult the British Embassy or a British Consulate in the U.S. to inquire about work permits. The employment of aliens in the U.K. is controlled by the Home Office and the Department of Employment. U.S. citizens wishing to extend the length of stay, obtain employment, paid or unpaid, or to set up any business or profession, must obtain permission from the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Department, Princeton House, 371 High Holborn, London WC1.
Directors and employees of existing British subsidiaries of U.S. firms have encountered little difficulty in obtaining permission to enter and remain in the U.K. Bringing the technical personnel required to install and operate a plant or business generally poses no problem, though it is necessary to establish that British subjects with the necessary qualifications are not available.
HMG has adopted the EU regulations governing the admission of non-EU business visitors and economic migrants to the U.K., which limit the ability of some foreign nationals, including American citizens, to reside in the U.K.
The categories of persons affected by the new immigration rules are self-employed persons, retired persons of independent means, business investors, and short-term business visitors. Entry may be denied to those who intend to perform productive services unless a work permit has been issued in advance to their employer. The determination of who may be admitted as a consultant is decided on a case by case basis at ports of entry.
-- American Citizen Services: The American Citizen Services (ACS) section at the Embassy in London provides many services for U.S. citizens, including passport issuance, absentee voter registration and notarial services. The Passport Unit supplies travel advisory information on visa requirements, health, safety, and security concerns in countries around the world.
For information on these and other issues, Americans should call the Embassy on (44) 207 499 9000, visit at 55/56 Upper Brook Street, London W1A 1AE, or access the Department of State's Consular Affairs homepage at: http://travel/state/gov.
The Passport Unit is open 8.30 to 11.30am Monday through Friday mornings, and 2.00 to 4.00pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Notarial services are provided Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 10.00 to 12.00, and on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00 to 4.00. The notarial service hours are subject to revision. Check on (44) 207 499-9000 to confirm notarial hours. No appointment is needed for notarial services.
The Embassy is closed for all American and British holidays. More information on American Citizen Services may be obtained from the U.S. Embassy website at: www.usembassy.org.U.K.
The following are the major U.K. public holidays:
New Year's Day January 1 January Bank Holiday First Monday in January St. Patrick's Day*** March 17 Bank Holiday** First Monday in April Good Friday Variable Easter Monday* Variable Easter Tuesday*** Variable May Day First Monday in May Victoria Day** Third Monday in May Spring Holiday* Last Monday in May Orangeman's Day*** July 12, 13 Bank Holiday** First Monday in August August Bank Holiday* Last Monday in August Autumn Holiday** Third Monday in September Christmas Day December 25 Boxing Day December 26 * Observed only in England and Wales ** Also observed in Scotland *** Also observed in Northern Ireland.
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[end of document] Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1998 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title17, United States Code.
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