British Government Offices in the USA

British Government Websites

Foreign & Commonwealth Office — (FCO), the British Government department responsible for overseas relations and foreign affairs, through their headquarters in London and their Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates throughout the world.  http://www.fco.gov.uk

Number 10 Downing Street — A direct link to the Government's information website No. 10 Downing St. http://www.number-10.gov.uk/

The Royal Family — Official website of Her Majesty The Queen and the British Monarchy. http://www.royal.gov.uk

British Social Security Benefits for US Residents

These notes are intended as general guidelines on the availability of British social security benefits to residents of the United States.

Although British Government offices in the United States are not able to provide advice on individual benefit claims, comprehensive information on all aspects of social security benefits is available on the internet:

Department of Social Security
Social Security Agreement Between United Kingdom and United States of America Leaflet SA33   http://www.dss.gov.uk/

Retirement Pension

Residents of the United States who have paid national insurance contributions in Britain may be entitled to a retirement pension from the United Kingdom. General information on pensions is available from the Department of Social Security Benefits and Services Department. Claims should be made to the following address, giving the applicant's full name, date and place of birth, details of last employment in Britain and national insurance number (if known):

Overseas Benefits Directorate
Department of Social Security Benefits Agency
Tyneview Park
Whitley Road
Benton
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA
Tel: (191) 218 7777 |  Fax: (191) 218 7293
E-mail: baadmin@baadmin.demon.co.uk
http://www.dss.gov.uk/index.htm

Widows' Benefits

Payment of widows’ benefits abroad can be arranged in the same way as retirement pensions.

War Pensions

War pensions are payable to men and women who were injured or disabled as a result of service in HM Armed Forces, or disabled from injuries received in the Merchant Navy in wartime. Civilians and Civil Defence workers may also be entitled to a war pension if they were disabled as a result of enemy action during the Second World War.

Information on war pensions is available from the Ministry of Defence.

Veterans Agency
Tomlinson House
Norcross
Norcross Lane
Thornton-Cleveleys
FY5 3WP

Helpline Tel: 0800 169 22 77
E-mail: help@veteransagency.gsi.gov.uk
Internet: www.veteransagency.mod.uk

Paying National Insurance Contributions

US residents wishing to continue UK national insurance contributions in order to maintain eligibility to certain benefits should contact the following organisation:

Inland Revenue
National Insurance Contributions Office
International Services
Room A2119
Longbenton
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ
England
Tel: (from outside the UK) 44 191 2254811
Tel: (from the UK) 0645 154811
Fax: (from outside the UK) 44 191 2257800
Fax: (from the UK) 0645 157800

National Health Service

Treatment under the National Health Service (NHS) is only available to permanent residents of the United Kingdom. Britons living abroad who return on a temporary visit to the UK will be expected to pay privately for all treatment other than of an emergency nature. Additional information is available in the Frequently Asked Question, What health care services are available to travellers to the UK?

With the exception of emergency care treatment, American tourists to the United Kingdom do not receive free health care through the National Health Service. Detailed information on emergency care and hospital care for tourists is available from the National Health Service.

Private Coverage

Before leaving the United States, short-term visitors to Britain are strongly advised to consult their travel agent or insurance broker for information about health policies offering hospital/medical coverage outside the United States. Those seeking to obtain longer-term coverage may obtain a list of private health coverage providers from the following:

The Secretary
Independent Healthcare Association
22 Little Russell Street
London WC1A 2HT
Tel: (171) 430 0537

Passport Information for
British Nationals Resident in the USA

British passports are issued by the British Embassy in Washington D.C.
Completed applications should be sent to the Passport Office at the address below:

Passport Office
British Embassy
19 Observatory Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (900) 285 7277

For fees, and delivery cost details please click on the link below:
http://www.britainusa.com

Work In Britain Information

THE WORK IN BRITAIN programme's unique Blue Card permits US students to work throughout the UK in any type of job for up to six months at any time of year. Otherwise, it is very difficult to obtain a British work permit. Government permission is needed for all jobs, paid or unpaid.

Work in Britain is sponsored and administered by BUNAC (the British Universities North America Club) and has been running since 1966. BUNAC has offices in Connecticut, London and Edinburgh and is a non-profit, non-political organization specializing in international work/travel programs. The year 2002 marks the Club’s 40th anniversary.
 

BUNAC (USA)
(The British Universities North America Club)
PO Box 49,
South Britain, CT 06487.
(203) 264-0901.
http://www.bunac.org

 

Visa Information for Non-British Nationals
Residing in the USA

Do you need a visa or entry clearance to travel to Britain? Find out here and apply online today.  http://www.britainusa.com/visas/visas.asp

 

Quarantine and Pets

Now that the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) has been extended to the USA you can bring your dog or cat to the UK without 6 months quarantine from Wednesday 11 December 2002, provided that the animal meets all the PETS requirements.

Details of these requirements are available in the DEFRA fact sheet

 

Travel In Britain

THE BRITISH TOURIST AUTHORITY has launched a fax-to-fax information line — (213) 628-1216 — through which travellers may receive a wide range of fact sheets in just minutes.

Information includes: air, rail and sea transportation; accommodation in castles, country houses and townhouse hotels, as well as bed-and-breakfast lodgings in guesthouses and private homes; how to get tickets for historic and sporting events and shows; touring and sightseeing options; and advice on pursuing pastimes and special interest activities, from bird-watching to golf in Scotland.

USA (Chicago)
BTA
625 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 1001, Chicago IL 60611
(personal callers only)
Toll free: 1 800 462 2748
Web: http://www.travelbritain.org

USA (Los Angeles)
BTA
Unfortunately this branch is not
open to the public.
Tel: (310) 470 2782
Fax: (310) 470 8549
Web: www.travelbritain.org

USA (New York)
BTA
7th Floor, 551 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10176-0799
Tel: 00 (1) 212 986 2266
Toll free: 1 800 GO 2 BRITAIN
E-mail: travelinfo@bta.org.uk
Web: www.travelbritain.org
 

Tour Travel - Hostels/Hotels

YHA offers a warm welcome, comfortable bunk rooms, usually with no more than six beds to a room, good food and affordable prices. http://www.yha.org.uk

230 Youth Hostels in England and Wales. Whether you want the comfort of an en suite room in a city centre, or the chance to escape the crowds and enjoy simpler accommodation, there's somewhere for you. Youth hostel staff are happy to share their local knowledge to help you to get the most from your holiday. The friendly, informal atmosphere makes for a sociable experience, so whatever your age and interests Youth Hostels are a great place to stay.

Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels (HI-AYH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1934 to promote international understanding of the world and its people through hostelling. HI-AYH operates a network of almost 125 hostel accommodations throughout the United States that are inexpensive, safe and clean. Hostels range from urban high-rise buildings with hundreds of beds to small hostels in rural settings. http://www.hiayh.org/

HI-AYH, in cooperation with other worldwide national associations, belongs to the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF). This entire network, known as Hostelling International, offers nearly 4,500 hostels in more than 70 countries. Hostelling International and the blue triangle with the tree and hut are the trademark and seal of approval of the IYHF, assuring travelers quality, affordable accommodations and travel programs worldwide.

HI-AYH is also associated with 34 councils throughout the United States. These councils provide local members and visitors with a wide range of special programs, events, trips and activities. Many of these activities and programs are provided for the physically challenged, disadvantaged youth and senior citizens.

Britain On A Budget
http://www.budgetbritain.com/ This site is written by American students for American students about study, travel and work in Britain. Check out the places pages for inside information on sleeps, eats, nightlife, must sees and travel basics.

 

INS Information

Frequently Asked Questions to the INS on their website may help answer your questions without having to contact them directly. http://www.bcis.gov/

Green Card Expiring? Is your green card expiring soon? If so, you need to renew it. But don't panic! You've got plenty of time! Only your card expires, not your status. And the INS is trying to make it simple and convenient for you to renew. Look at their procedures for one-stop service becoming available at your local INS office. If you have questions, they may have the answers.

IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION SERVICE

NATIONAL INFORMATION NUMBER
(800) 755-0777

REQUESTS FOR FORMS
(ONLY) (800) 870-3676

FILING FOR CITIZENSHIP (NATURALIZATION) (FORM N-400):

Residing jurisdiction of Miami District Office, send Form N-400 to:

USINS Texas Service Center
PO Box 152122
Irving, TX 75015-2122

Those residing within jurisdiction of the Chicago District Office, send to:

USINS Nebraska Service Center
PO Box 87400
Lincoln, NE 68508-7400

Those residing within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Office, send to:

USINS California Service Center
PO Box 10400 2400 Avila Road,
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0400

Those residing within the jurisdiction of the New York District Office, send to:

USINS Vermont Service Center
7500 Lower Weldon Street,
St Albans, VT 05479-0001

 

Information for British Citizens visiting the U.S.

Information for British Citizens visiting the United States can be found at http://www.usembassy.org.uk/rctour.html