Checking in at Dover port

[ianrauk]

It was ridiculously easy! Thank you Dover! We are off!

View attachment 654481

View attachment 654480

Good stuff. Enjoy your holiday.

 

[iluvmybike]

@Andy in Germany thank you. That's how I understood things to be previously. Could you help me a bit more as I've struggled with this. Ridiculous I know.

We visit France a lot. Usually flying Manchester Nice or when the kids were small by ferry. We've always done a passport check. I don't think we have ever walked straight off the plane and in either entering France or the UK.

As far as I know I don't suddenly need a visa to enter France so why has it all gone so badly wrong all of a sudden?

The problem at Dover is that the French security/customs/immigration is all done on this side of the channel rather than when you arrive in France. Other cross channel ports such a Portsmouth don't have this issue

 

[Andy in Germany]

The problem at Dover is that the French security/customs/immigration is all done on this side of the channel rather than when you arrive in France. Other cross channel ports such a Portsmouth don't have this issue

That makes practical sense; the crossing is relatively short and frequent so checking people before they get on the ferry means they don't potentially bung up the ferry at the other end, thus delaying the return journey. The Portsmouth ferries have a longer journey and slower turnaround. Eurostar checks passengers for the UK in Brussels and Paris for the same reason.

Nonetheless, the need for more extensive checks is still a factor; it's just more noticeable in Dover.

 

[The Crofted Crest]

Blaming the French for brexit is a bit rich, isn't it?

 

[Andy in Germany]

The All Shorts YouTube channel has a summary of the new rules and visa requirements, and some of the potential problems.

It's from the point of view of a British Immigrant in France, but as he doesn't have French citizenship the rules outside of France are the same for him as other UK nationals.

There is some political bias because he isn't happy about the changes.

 

[harlechjoe]

I wonder how many families who have suffered for hours in queues reach Dover and then navigate around the road circuit to reach a ferry lane, will have seen cyclists and been inspired to use their bikes for future holidays?

 

[TheDoctor]

More likely they'll have a rant about freeloading cyclists jumping the queue...

 

[CatLeChat]

I have joined this forum specifically to say thank you to the people who gave such helpful information in this thread. So thank you!
(I still missed getting my passport stamped somehow, but I think that was someone just waving me through somewhere they shouldn't have, thinking my hi-vis meant I was an employee not a passenger)