Visa requirements for British citizens

The current British passport

Visa requirements for British citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the United Kingdom.

As of 2024, British citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 192 countries and territories, ranking the British passport 4th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.[1]

Additionally, the World Tourism Organisation also published a report on 15 January 2016 ranking the passport 1st in the world (tied with Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Singapore) in terms of travel freedom, with the mobility index of 160 (out of 215 with no visa weighted by: 1, visa on arrival weighted by 0.7, e-Visa weighted by 0.5 and traditional visa weighted by 0).[2]

The United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 January 2020, and consequently discontinued the freedom of movement for its citizens to EU countries on 31 December 2020. However, UK citizens are still eligible for visa-free access for short-term visits to the Schengen Area.

Visa requirements for other classes of British nationals such as British Nationals (Overseas), British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens, British Protected Persons or British Subjects are different.

History

[edit]

Visa requirements for British citizens were lifted by many European nations in the few years after World War II. The first changes occurred in 1947. These were removed by France on 1 January 1947. [3]

This was then quickly followed by Belgium on 15 February 1947,[4] Luxembourg 15 February 1947,[5] Norway on 1 March 1947,[6] Denmark on 22 March 1947,[7] Sweden on 1 April 1947,[8] Netherlands on 15 April 1947,[9] Switzerland on 24 June 1947[10] Liechtenstein on 24 June 1947[10] and Iceland on 1 July 1947.[11]

The requirement was lifted by Italy on 1 January 1948,[12] Monaco (8 November 1948),[13] Austria (15 May 1955),[14][15] Paraguay (27 November 1966),[16] United States (1 July 1988), Poland (1 July 1992), Bulgaria (March 1997),[17] Romania (1 January 2001),[18] Serbia and Montenegro (31 May 2003),[19] Ukraine (1 May 2005),[20] Georgia (1 June 2006),[21] Moldova (1 January 2007),[22] Kyrgyzstan (27 July 2012),[23] Armenia (10 January 2013), Kazakhstan (15 July 2014),[24] Indonesia (13 June 2015),[25] Vietnam (1 July 2015)[26] Belarus (12 February 2017),[27] Cape Verde (1 January 2019),[28] Uzbekistan (1 February 2019),[29] Turkey (2 March 2020)[30] and Oman (December 2020).

Electronic visas for British citizens were introduced: India (15 August 2015),[31] Djibouti (18 February 2018),[32] Malawi (October 2019) Mongolia (November 2021). In April 2021 India announced that it would stop issuing Electronic visas for British citizens from August 2021, however this was reinstated in December 2022.[33]

Honduras cancelled a visa-free regime for British citizens as a reciprocal measure in August 2024.[34] Similarly, Namibia will introduce visas for British citizens for reciprocity reasons, starting April 2025.[35]

Visa requirements map

[edit]
Visa requirements for British citizens holding ordinary passports
  British Islands (United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey) and Gibraltar - Right of abode
  Ireland (Common Travel Area) - Freedom of movement
  Visa not required / ESTA / eTA / eVisitor
  Visa on arrival
  eVisa
  Visa available both on arrival or online
  Visa required

Visa requirements

[edit]
Country / Region Visa requirement Visa fee Allowed stay Notes (excluding departure fees)
 Afghanistan Visa required[36]
  • Due to safety concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Afghanistan.[37]
 Albania Visa not required[38] 90 days
 Algeria Visa required[39][40]
 Andorra Visa not required[41]
 Angola Visa not required[42] 30 days
  • 30 days per trip, but no more than 90 days within any 1 calendar year for tourism purposes only.[43]
  • Visitors must have a return/onward ticket and a hotel reservation confirmation.[44]
  • An International Certificate of Vaccination is required.
 Antigua and Barbuda Visa not required[45][46] 6 months
 Argentina Visa not required[47][48] 90 days[49]
 Armenia Visa not required[50] 180 days
  • Visa upon arrival for a maximum term of 180 days in a year.[51]
 Australia eVisitor[52] 90 days
  • If granted, eVisitor allows British citizens to stay in Australia for 90 days per visit.
  • Issued free of charge and valid for one year.
  • According to HPI (Henley Passport Index) methodology pre-departure government approval, like eVisitor manual processing is not considered as visa free.[53]
 Austria Visa not required[54] 90 days
 Azerbaijan eVisa[58][59] 30 days
 Bahamas Visa not required[60][61] 8 months
  • Extendable up to eight months.
 Bahrain eVisa / Visa on arrival[62] 14 days
  • Visas can be issued on arrival for a stay up to 3 months.[63]
 Bangladesh Visa on arrival[64] 30 days
 Barbados Visa not required[68][69] 6 months
 Belarus Visa not required[70][71] 30 days
  • Visa-free until 31 December 2024.[72]
  • Visa-free arrangement does not apply when travelling on a diplomatic or official passport.
  • Due to safety concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Belarus.[73]
 Belgium Visa not required[74] 90 days
 Belize Visa not required[75][76]
 Benin eVisa[77][78] 30 days
  • Must have an international vaccination certificate.
 Bhutan eVisa[79][80][81]
  • Visa via approved tour operators only.[82][83]
 Bolivia Visa not required[84][85] 90 days
  • Be aware you may be given an initial 30 days and can extend it for another 60 days.
  • The Department of Immigration has imposed an annual limit for tourists of 90 days without a visa. For longer periods you must seek advice from the Bolivian Embassy in London or the Department of Immigration office in La Paz.[86]
 Bosnia and Herzegovina Visa not required[87] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 6-month period.
 Botswana Visa not required[88] 90 days
 Brazil Visa not required[89][90] 90 days
  • Extendable for further 90 days.[91]
 Brunei Visa not required[92][93] 90 days[94]
 Bulgaria Visa not required[95] 90 days
 Burkina Faso eVisa / Visa on arrival[96][97] 1 month
 Burundi Visa on arrival[98] 1 month
 Cambodia eVisa / Visa on arrival[100][101] 30 days
  • Extendable for another 30 days.
 Cameroon eVisa[102][103]
  • Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
 Canada Electronic Travel Authorization[104] 6 months
 Cape Verde Visa not required[107][28] 30 days
  • Must register online at least five days prior to arrival.[108]
 Central African Republic Visa required[109][110]
  • Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Central African Republic.[111]
 Chad Visa required[112]
 Chile Visa not required[113][114] 90 days
  • May be extended.
 China Visa required[115][116]
 Colombia Visa not required[120][121] 90 days
  • Extendable up to 180-days stay consecutively within a one-year period.[122][123][121]
 Comoros Visa on arrival[124] 45 days
 Republic of the Congo Visa required[125][126]
 Democratic Republic of the Congo eVisa[127][128][129] 7 days
 Costa Rica Visa not required[130][131] 3 months
 Côte d'Ivoire eVisa[132][133] 3 months
 Croatia Visa not required[134] 90 days
 Cuba eVisa[135] 90 days
  • Can be extended up to 90 days with a fee.
 Cyprus Visa not required[136] 90 days
  • 90 days within 180-day period.
 Czech Republic Visa not required[137] 90 days
 Denmark Visa not required[138] 90 days
 Djibouti eVisa[139][140] 90 days
 Dominica Visa not required[141] 6 months
 Dominican Republic Visa not required[142][143] 30 days
  • Will normally be granted a 30-day stay on arrival. This can be extended up to 120 days by an extension online.[144][145]
 Ecuador Visa not required[146] 90 days
  • May be extended.
 Egypt eVisa / Visa on arrival[147][148][149] 30 days
 El Salvador Visa not required[150] 6 months
 Equatorial Guinea eVisa[151][152]
 Eritrea Visa required[153][154]
  • Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
 Estonia Visa not required[155] 90 days
 Eswatini Visa not required[156] 30 days
 Ethiopia eVisa / Visa on arrival[157] up to 90 days
 Fiji Visa not required[160] 4 months
 Finland Visa not required[161] 90 days
 France Visa not required[162] 90 days
 Gabon eVisa[163][164] 90 days
 Gambia Visa not required[165] 90 days
 Georgia Visa not required[166] 1 year
 Germany Visa not required[167] 90 days
 Ghana Visa required[168][169]
  • Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
 Greece Visa not required[170] 90 days
 Grenada Visa not required[171] 6 months
  • Beginning on 1 December 2020, all travellers to Grenada will be required to complete an online application in order to receive a Pure Safe Travel Authorization Certificate to enter Grenada.[172]
 Guatemala Visa not required[173] 90 days
 Guinea eVisa[174][175] 90 days
 Guinea-Bissau Visa on arrival[176] 90 days
 Guyana Visa not required[177]
 Haiti Visa not required[178] 90 days
 Honduras Visa required[179]
 Hungary Visa not required[180] 90 days
 Iceland Visa not required[181] 90 days
 India eVisa[182][183] 30 days
  • 30 days, 1 year and 5 years of eTourist visa is now available from Indian eVisa. However this service is not available for British Citizens of Pakistani Origin (i.e. someone with at least 1 Pakistani Parent or Grandparent).
 Indonesia e-VOA / Visa on arrival[184] 30 days[185]
 Iran Visa required[186]
  • British citizens must have their visa stamped in their passport in advance of arrival in Iran.
  • Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Iran.[187]
 Iraq eVisa / Visa on arrival[188][189][190] 60 days
  • British citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Iraq's airports, land and sea crossings for 60 days, for a fee of USD 75.
  • The Iraqi government lifted pre-arrival visa requirements, allowing British citizens to apply for visa on arrival in any entry point.[191]
 Ireland Visa not required[192] Freedom of movement (Common Travel Area).[193]
  • British citizens have many of the same rights and entitlements as Irish citizens[194]
 Israel Visa not required[195] 3 months
  • Entry refused to anyone who "knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel."[196]
  • Starting August 1, 2024, a ETA just like a US ESTA or a Canada ETA will be required for travel to Israel. Applications open on June 1 as a trial but will not be required for US and German passport holders. On July 1, 2024, the application will be opened to all visa exempt country passport holders.
 Italy Visa not required[197] 90 days
 Jamaica Visa not required[198] 180 days
 Japan Visa on Arrival[199][200] 90 days
  • Can travel to Japan for tourism or business for up to 90 days. A visa is given on arrival, and you do not need to apply before you travel. The Japan immigration authorities may extend your visa by another 90 days at their discretion. You will need to apply for an extension.[201]
 Jordan eVisa / Visa on arrival[202][203]
  • Visa can be obtained upon arrival, it will cost a total of 40 JOD, obtainable at most international ports of entry and land border crossings (except King Hussein/Allenby Bridge)
 Kazakhstan Visa not required[204] 30 days
 Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation[205][206] 90 days
  • Applications can be submitted up to 90 days prior to travel and must be submitted at least 3 days in advance.
  • eTA fee is USD 32.50.
  • Proof of reservation at the hotel where visitors plan to stay is required (if staying with friends, an invitation letter is also acceptable).
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries.
  • Can also be entered on an East Africa tourist visa issued by Rwanda or Uganda.[207]
 Kiribati Visa not required[208] 30 days
 North Korea Visa required[209][210]
 South Korea Electronic Travel Authorization[211] 90 days
  • British citizens can enter South Korea as a short term visit (e.g., tours, visiting relatives or friends, attending simple meetings) up to 90 days without a visa, though they should remain aware of the quarantine requirements. An onward or return ticket is mandatory. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.[212]
  • One must be in possession of a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea visa-free, which can be completed up to 24 hours before boarding a flight, and is valid for 3 years from the date of approval. There is a small, non-refundable charge.[212]
 Kuwait eVisa / Visa on arrival[213][214] 3 months
 Kyrgyzstan Visa not required[215][216] 60 days
 Laos eVisa / Visa on arrival[217][218] 30 days
 Latvia Visa not required[219] 90 days
 Lebanon Free visa on arrival[220] 1 month
  • Extendable for 2 additional months; granted free of charge at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if there is no Israeli visa or seal, holding a telephone number, an address in Lebanon, and a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket.
 Lesotho Visa not required[221] 14 days
 Liberia Visa required[222][223]
  • Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
 Libya eVisa[224][225]
  • Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Libya.[226]
 Liechtenstein Visa not required[227] 90 days
 Lithuania Visa not required[228] 90 days
 Luxembourg Visa not required[229] 90 days
 Madagascar Visa on arrival[230] 60 days
  • For stays of less than 15 days, the visa fee is free, but an administrative fee of EUR 10 must be paid.
  • 30 days - EUR 35; 60 days - EUR 40.
 Malawi Visa not required[231] 30 days
 Malaysia Visa not required[232] 3 months
 Maldives Free visa on arrival[233] 30 days
 Mali Visa required[234][235]
 Malta Visa not required[236] 90 days
 Marshall Islands Visa not required[237] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180-day period.
 Mauritania Visa on arrival[238]
 Mauritius Visa not required[239] 90 days
 Mexico Visa not required[240] 180 days
  • Visa stamp (up to 180 days) length determined on arrival.
 Federated States of Micronesia Visa not required[241] 30 days
 Moldova Visa not required[242] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180-day period.
 Monaco Visa not required[243]
 Mongolia Visa not required[244] 30 days
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia has exempted visas for 34 countries from January 2023 to December 2025.
 Montenegro Visa not required[245] 90 days
  • Must register with the local police station (either through a tourist organization or at hotel reception) within 24 hours of arrival.[246]
 Morocco Visa not required[247] 90 days
  • For periods of longer than 90 days, a resident permit is required and can be issued by the Police Department in place of residence in Morocco.[248][249]
 Mozambique Visa not required[250][251] 30 days
  • Travelers must pay a fee of 650 MT upon entry.
 Myanmar eVisa[252][253] 28 days
 Namibia Visa not required[254] 3 months
  • 3 months within a calendar year.[255]
 Nauru Visa required[256]
  • In addition of a visa, an application should be obtained by email via the Directorate of Immigration.
   Nepal Online Visa / Visa on arrival[257] 90 days[258]
 Netherlands Visa not required[259] 90 days
 New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority[260] 6 months
  • May enter using eGate.[261]
  • International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy must be paid upon requesting an Electronic Travel Authority.[262]
  • Holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.[263] Such travellers are not required to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.[262]
 Nicaragua Visa not required[259] 90 days
 Niger Visa required[264][265]
  • Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Niger.[266]
 Nigeria eVisa[267][268] 90 days
  • Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
 North Macedonia Visa not required[269] 90 days
 Norway Visa not required[270] 90 days
 Oman Visa not required / eVisa[271][272] 14 days / 30 days
 Pakistan eVisa[273] 90 days
 Palau Free visa on arrival[274] 30 days
 Panama Visa not required[275] 90 days
  • As of 2024, British nationals entering Panama now have a 90 day (3 month) tourist visa stamped in their passport to mark entry to Panama. Extensions are not normally allowed unless you apply to change your immigration status within the 90 days (business, marriage).[276]
  • maximum amount of time that you can stay in Panama as a tourist is three (3) months. If you want to stay longer than three months, you may extend your stay applying for an extension through the Offices of Immigration in Panama. (Panama embassy U.K.)[277]
  • British nationals don't need a visa to visit Panama except if arriving by sea.[278][279]
 Papua New Guinea eVisa[280][281] 60 days
 Paraguay Visa not required[282] 90 days
 Peru Visa not required[283] 183 days
  • Visa stamp (up to 183 days) length determined on arrival
 Philippines Visa not required[284][285] 30 days
  • A tourist visa is available from the Philippine Embassy before you travel, which will allow an initial total of 59-day stay.[285][286]
  • For longer periods, a visa extension is available once inside the country from the Bureau of immigration.[287]
 Poland Visa not required[288] 90 days
 Portugal Visa not required[289] 90 days
 Qatar Visa not required[290] 30 days
 Romania Visa not required[291] 90 days
 Russia Visa required[293]
  • Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Russia.[294]
 Rwanda Visa not required[295] 30 days
  • Can also be entered on an East Africa Tourist Visa issued by Kenya or Uganda.[207]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis Visa not required[296] 3 months
 Saint Lucia Visa not required[297] 6 weeks
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Visa not required[298] 6 months
 Samoa Visa not required[299] 60 days
 San Marino Visa not required[300]
 São Tomé and Príncipe Visa not required[301] 15 days[302]
 Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver / Visa on arrival[303][304] 6 months / 90 days
  • e-Visa / Visa on arrival can also be obtained.[305]
 Senegal Visa not required[306] 90 days
 Serbia Visa not required[307] 90 days
 Seychelles Electronic Border System[308][309] 3 months
  • Application can be submitted up to 30 days before travel.
  • Visitors must upload a reservation confirmation(s) for each visitor's location of stay in Seychelles.
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries.
  • Payment of the fee (EUR 10) by credit or debit card.
  • Valid for one journey only and it expires once exit the country.
 Sierra Leone eVisa / Visa on arrival[310][311] 3 months / 30 days
 Singapore Visa not required[312] 90 days
 Slovakia Visa not required[313] 90 days
 Slovenia Visa not required[314] 90 days
 Solomon Islands Free Visitor's permit on arrival[315] 3 months
 Somalia Visa on arrival[316] 30 days
 South Africa Visa not required[317] 90 days
 South Sudan eVisa[318][319][320]
  • Obtainable online.
  • Printed visa authorization must be presented at the time of travel.
 Spain Visa not required[321] 90 days
 Sri Lanka eVisa / Visa on arrival[322][323] 60 days / 30 days
  • The standard visitor visa allows a stay of 60 days within any 6 month period.[324]
  • Visa fees (for Standard visitor visa):
  • e-Visa categories will be charged an additional USD 18.50 service fee.
  • If transiting from any of the Sri Lankan airports, An e-Visa is exempted (2 day transit period).
 Sudan Visa required[325][326]
 Suriname Visa not required[327][328] 90 days
  • An entrance fee of USD 25 or EUR 25 must be paid online prior to arrival.[329]
  • Multiple entry e-Visa is also available.[330]
 Sweden Visa not required[331] 90 days
  Switzerland Visa not required[332]
  • UK citizens do not require an entry visa for Switzerland for either short stays or for long stays (over 90 days).[333]
 Syria eVisa[334]
  • Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Syria.[335]
 Taiwan Visa not required[336] 90 days
 Tajikistan eVisa / Visa on arrival[337][338] 60 days / 45 days
 Tanzania eVisa / Visa on arrival[339][340] 90 days
 Thailand Visa not required[341][342] 60 days
  • If not arriving by air, British citizens are only permitted two visits per year.
  • For longer periods up to 60 days, a Tourist visa is available online.[342]
 Timor-Leste Visa on arrival[343] 30 days
 Togo eVisa[344][345] 15 days
 Tonga Free visa on arrival[346] 31 days
 Trinidad and Tobago Visa not required[347]
 Tunisia Visa not required[348] 3 months
 Turkey Visa not required[349] 3 months
  • 90 days within any 180-day period (as of 2 March 2020)/
 Turkmenistan Visa required[350]
  • Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
 Tuvalu Visa not required[351] 1 month
 Uganda eVisa[352][353] 3 months
  • Can also be entered on an East Africa tourist visa issued by Kenya or Rwanda.[207]
 Ukraine Visa not required[354] 90 days
 United Arab Emirates Visa not required[356] 30 days
  • The visa issued at the airport for British passports holders is valid for 30 days – plus a 10 day grace period.[357]
  • If you wish to stay longer, you may make a request with the Immigration Officer at the airport or contact the local General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs at least 3 days prior to the expiry date.[357]
 United States Visa Waiver Program[358][359] 90 days
  • ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.[360]
  • ESTA is also required when entering the country by cruise ship or land.[361]
  • Visa required if Nationals of VWP countries who have travelled or been present in Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen at any time on or after 1 March 2011 (with limited exceptions), or those who have travelled or being present in Cuba at any time on or after 12 January 2021, or nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran, North Korea or Sudan.
 Uruguay Visa not required[362] 90 days
 Uzbekistan Visa not required[363] 30 days
 Vanuatu Visa not required[364] 30 days
 Vatican City Visa not required[365]
 Venezuela Visa not required[366] 90 days
  • Extensions of up to 90 days can be arranged at any SAIME (immigration service) for a fee and must apply before one’s tourist card and stamp expire.[367]
  • One can only apply for or extend their (residency permit) at the main SAIME office in Caracas.[367]
 Vietnam Visa not required[368][369][370] 45 days
  • A single entry e-Visa valid for 90 days is also available.
 Yemen Visa required[371][372]
  • Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Yemen.[373]
 Zambia Visa not required[374] 30 days
  • British citizens are eligible for a universal visa allowing access to Zimbabwe.[375]
 Zimbabwe Visa on arrival[376] 30 days
  • British citizens are also eligible for a universal visa allowing access to Zambia.[375]

Common Travel Area

[edit]
Main article: Common Travel Area

The United Kingdom, together with its Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland make up a Common Travel Area where:

  • No ID is required for travel by land for British or Irish citizens
  • Only photographic ID is required for travel by air or sea for British or Irish citizens (but some airlines - such as Ryanair - may mandate passports for all)

However, there are occasionally checks on coaches and trains moving between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. British citizens living in Ireland have many of the same rights and entitlements as an Irish citizen.[377] Citizens of third countries must have passports and, if required, visas to travel between the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

British visas don't enable travel to Ireland for people without agreement with Ireland, and vice versa. Passengers travelling between the Common Travel Area and the Schengen Area are subject to systematic passport/identity checks.

British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories

[edit]
Visitor to Visa requirement Allowed stay Notes
 Akrotiri and Dhekelia Visa not required
 Anguilla Visa not required 3 months[378][379]
  • British citizens with a connection to the territory have right of abode.
 Bermuda Visa not required 6 months[380][381]
  • British citizens with a connection to the territory have right of abode.
 British Antarctic Territory Special permit required[382][383]
 British Indian Ocean Territory Special permit required[384][385]
 British Virgin Islands Visa not required 1 month[386][387]
  • Extension of stay possible.
  • British citizens with a connection to the territory have right of abode.
 Cayman Islands Visa not required[388][389] 6 months
  • British citizens with a connection to the territory have right of abode.
 Falkland Islands Visa not required[390] 1 month
  • A visitor permit is normally issued as a stamp in the passport on arrival.[391]
  • Visitors who have a connection with the Falkland Islands have right of abode.
 Guernsey Visa not required 90 days[392]
  • Anyone working and/or living in Guernsey requires a Permit/Certificate to do so.[393]
  • In Alderney, a work or employment permit is required for persons without Guernsey (Alderney) status.[394]
 Isle of Man Visa not required
  • Work or employment permit is required for persons without "Isle of Man worker" status.[395][396]
 Jersey Visa not required
  • Work or employment permit is not required.[397]
 Gibraltar Visa not required
  • British citizens have right of abode in Gibraltar.
 Montserrat Visa not required 6 months[398]
  • British citizens with a connection to the territory have right of abode.
 Pitcairn Islands Visa not required 14 days[398]
 Ascension Island eVisa 3 months
 Saint Helena Entry permit on arrival 183 days[405]
  • The entry permit costs £25 and is issued on arrival.
 Tristan da Cunha Permission required
 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Permit required
  • Pre-arrival permit from the Commissioner required (72 hours/1 month for £110/160).[407][408][409]
 Turks and Caicos Islands Visa not required 90 days[410][411]
  • British citizens with a connection to the territory have right of abode.

Territories and disputed areas

[edit]
Visitor to Visa requirement Notes (excluding departure fees)
Europe
 Abkhazia Visa required[412]
 Kosovo Visa not required 90 days [413]
 Mount Athos Special permit required Special permit required (4 days: EUR 25 for Orthodox visitors, EUR 35 for non-Orthodox visitors, EUR 18 for students). There is a visitors' quota: maximum 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox per day and women are not allowed.[414][415]
Belarus Brest and Grodno Visa not required Visa-free for 10 days[416]
 Northern Cyprus Visa not required Visa free access for 3 months. Passport required.[417]
United Nations UN Buffer Zone in Cyprus Access Permit required[418] Access Permit is required for travelling inside the zone, except Civil Use Areas.
 Faroe Islands Visa not required[419]
Norway Jan Mayen Permit required Permit issued by the local police required for staying for less than 24 hours[420] and permit issued by the Norwegian police for staying for more than 24 hours.[421]
 Svalbard Visa not required Unlimited Stay (Indefinite Stay).
Russia Closed cities and regions in Russia Special authorisation required Several closed cities require special authorisation.[422]
 South Ossetia Visa not required Visa free, however an invitation from a South Ossetian citizen or organisation must be provided. Multiple entry visa to Russia and three-day prior notification are also required to enter South Ossetia.[423][424]
 Transnistria Visa not required Visa free. Registration required after 24 hours.[425][426]
Africa
 Eritrea outside Asmara Travel permit required Visa covers Asmara only; to travel in the rest of the country, a Travel Permit for Foreigners is required (20 Eritrean nakfa).[427]
 Mayotte Visa not required
  • 90 days within 180-day period[428]
  • Valid ID or Passport Required.
 Réunion Visa not required
  • 90 days within 180-day period[428]
  • Valid ID or Passport Required.
 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Visa not required Visa not required up to 3 months in the Western Sahara controlled territory.[429]
 Somaliland Visa on arrival Visa issued on arrival (30 days for USD 30, payable on arrival).[430][431]
 Sudan outside Khartoum Travel permit required All foreigners travelling more than 25 kilometers outside of Khartoum must obtain a travel permit.
Sudan Darfur Travel permit required Separate travel permit is required.[432]
Asia
China Hainan Visa on arrival[433] Visa on arrival for 15 days. Available at Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport.
Visa not required for 21 days for travelling as part of a tourist group (5 or more people)[434]
 Hong Kong Visa not required 180 days[435][436]
India Protected and restricted areas of India PAP/RAP required Protected Area Permit (PAP) required for whole states of Nagaland and Sikkim and parts of states Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh. Restricted Area Permit (RAP) required for all of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim. Some of these requirements are occasionally lifted for a year.[437][438][439][440][441][442]
 Iraqi Kurdistan eVisa[443]
 Kazakhstan Special permission required Special permission required for the town of Baikonur and surrounding areas in Kyzylorda Oblast, and the town of Gvardeyskiy near Almaty.[444]
Iran Kish Island Visa not required Tourists for Kish Island do not require a visa.[445]
 Macau Visa not required 180 days[446]
Malaysia Sabah and Sarawak Visa not required These states have their own immigration authorities and passport is required to travel to them, however the same visa applies.[447]
 Maldives outside Malé Permission required With the exception of the capital Malé, tourists are generally prohibited from visiting non-resort islands without the express permission of the Government of Maldives.[448]
 North Korea outside Pyongyang Special permit required People are not allowed to leave the capital city, tourists may only leave the capital with a governmental tourist guide (no independent visits)
 Palestine Visa not required[449] Arrival by sea to Gaza Strip not allowed.[450]
Saudi Arabia Mecca and Medina Special access required Non-Muslims and those following the Ahmadiyya religious movement are strictly prohibited from entry.[451]
Tajikistan Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province OVIR permit required OVIR permit required (15+5 Tajikistani Somoni) and another special permit (free of charge) is required for Lake Sarez.[452][453][454]
China Tibet Autonomous Region TTP required Tibet Travel Permit required (USD 10).[455][456]
Turkmenistan Closed cities of Turkmenistan Special permit required A special permit, issued prior to arrival by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is required if visiting the following places: Atamurat, Cheleken, Dashoguz, Serakhs and Serhetabat.[457]
United Nations Korean Demilitarized Zone Restricted zone
United Nations UNDOF Zone and Ghajar Restricted zone
 Yemen outside Sana’a or Aden Special permission required Special permission needed for travel outside Sana’a or Aden.[458]
Caribbean and North Atlantic
 Aruba Visa not required Visa not required for 30 days, extendable to 180 days.[459][460]
 Caribbean Netherlands Visa not required Visa not required up to 3 months[461][462]
Colombia San Andrés and Leticia Tourist Card on arrival Visitors arriving at Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport and Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport must buy tourist cards on arrival.[463]
 Curaçao Visa not required Visa not required for 3 months.[464]
France French West Indies Visa not required French West Indies refers to Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy.[465]
 Greenland Visa not required[419]
Venezuela Margarita Island Visa not required All visitors are fingerprinted.[466]
 Puerto Rico Visa not required Visa not required under the Visa Waiver Program, for 90 days on arrival from overseas for 2 years. ESTA required.[467]
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon Visa not required Visa not required for 90 days.[468]
 Sint Maarten Visa not required Visa not required for 3 months.[469][470]
 US Virgin Islands Visa not required[471] Visa not required under the Visa Waiver Program, for 90 days on arrival from overseas for 2 years. ESTA required.[467]
Oceania
 American Samoa Electronic authorisation[472] 30 days
Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands Special authorisation required Special authorisation required.[473]
 Clipperton Island Special permit required Special permit required.[474]
 Cook Islands Visa not required Visa not required for 31 days.[475]
Fiji Lau Province Special permission required Special permission required.[476]
 French Polynesia Visa not required Visa not required.[477]
 Guam Visa not required[478] 45 days
 New Caledonia Visa not required Visa not required for 3 months.[477]
 Niue Visa on arrival Visa on arrival valid for 30 days is issued free of charge.[479]
 Northern Mariana Islands Visa not required[480] 45 days
 Tokelau Entry Permit required[481]
United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Special permits required Special permits required for Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Palmyra Atoll and Wake Island.[482][483][484][485][486][487][488]
 Wallis and Futuna Visa not required Visa not required.[489]
South America
 French Guiana Visa not required
Ecuador Galápagos Pre-registration required Online pre-registration is required. Transit Control Card must also be obtained at the airport prior to departure.[490]
South Atlantic and Antarctica
 Antarctica Special authorisation required Special permits required for French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Argentine Antarctica, Australia Australian Antarctic Territory, Antártica Chilena Province Chilean Antarctic Territory, Australia Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norway Peter I Island, Norway Queen Maud Land, New Zealand Ross Dependency.[382][491][492][493][494][495][496][497][498][499]

Non-ordinary passports

[edit]

Holders of exclusive categories of British passports have this visa-free access, to: China (diplomatic passports),[500] Kuwait (diplomatic or official passports),[501] Mongolia (diplomatic passports),[502] Qatar (diplomatic or official passports and British Diplomatic Messenger or Queen's Messenger Passports)[503] and the United Arab Emirates (diplomatic or official passports).[504]
Holders of diplomatic or service passports of any country have visa-free access to Ethiopia,[505] and Zimbabwe.[506] Holders of British official and diplomatic passports require a visa for South Africa.[507]

Non-visa restrictions

[edit]
This section is transcluded from Non-visa travel restrictions. (edit | history)

Many countries have entry restrictions on foreigners that go beyond the common requirement of having either a valid visa or a visa exemption. Such restrictions may be health related or impose additional documentation requirements on certain classes of people for diplomatic or political purposes.

Blank passport pages

[edit]

Many countries require a minimum number of blank pages to be available in the passport being presented, typically one or two pages.[508] Endorsement pages, which often appear after the visa pages, are not counted as being valid or available.

Vaccination

[edit]
Main articles: Vaccination requirements for international travel, International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, and Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic
Cover of the new International Certificate of Vaccination issued by the Bureau of Quarantine in the Philippines since 2021

Many African countries, including Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo, South Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia, require all incoming passengers older than nine months to one year[509] to have a current International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, as does the South American territory of French Guiana.[510]

Some other countries require vaccination only if the passenger is coming from an infected area or has visited one recently or has transited for 12 hours in those countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[511][512]

Passport validity length

[edit]

Very few countries, such as Paraguay, just require a valid passport on arrival.

However many countries and groupings now require only an identity card – especially from their neighbours. Other countries may have special bilateral arrangements that depart from the generality of their passport validity length policies to shorten the period of passport validity required for each other's citizens[513][514] or even accept passports that have already expired (but not been cancelled).[515]

Some countries, such as Japan,[516] Ireland and the United Kingdom,[517] require a passport valid throughout the period of the intended stay.

In the absence of specific bilateral agreements, countries requiring passports to be valid for at least 6 more months on arrival include Afghanistan, Algeria, Anguilla, Bahrain,[518] Bhutan, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel,[519] Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru,[520] Philippines,[521] Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Vietnam.[522]

Countries requiring passports valid for at least 4 months on arrival include Micronesia and Zambia.

Countries requiring passports with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the date of intended departure include Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Honduras, Montenegro, Nauru, Moldova and New Zealand. Similarly, the EEA countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, all European Union countries (except Ireland) together with Switzerland also require 3 months validity beyond the date of the bearer's intended departure unless the bearer is an EEA or Swiss national.

Countries requiring passports valid for at least 3 months on arrival include Albania, North Macedonia, Panama, and Senegal.

Bermuda requires passports to be valid for at least 45 days upon entry.

Countries that require a passport validity of at least one month beyond the date of intended departure include Eritrea, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Macau, the Maldives[523] and South Africa.

Criminal record

[edit]

Some countries, including Australia, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand and the United States,[524] routinely deny entry to non-citizens who have a criminal record, while others impose restrictions depending on the type of conviction and the length of the sentence.

Persona non grata

[edit]

The government of a country can declare a diplomat persona non grata, banning them from entering the country or expelling them if they have already entered. In non-diplomatic use, the authorities of a country may also declare a foreigner persona non grata permanently or temporarily, usually because of unlawful activity.[525]

Israeli stamps

[edit]
Israeli border control Entry Permit (issued as a stand-alone document rather than a stamp affixed in a passport)

Kuwait,[526] Lebanon,[527] Libya,[528] Syria,[529] and Yemen[530] do not allow entry to people with passport stamps from Israel or whose passports have either a used or an unused Israeli visa, or where there is evidence of previous travel to Israel such as entry or exit stamps from neighbouring border posts in transit countries such as Jordan and Egypt.

To circumvent this Arab League boycott of Israel, the Israeli immigration services have now mostly ceased to stamp foreign nationals' passports on either entry to or exit from Israel (unless the entry is for some work-related purposes). Since 15 January 2013, Israel no longer stamps foreign passports at Ben Gurion Airport. Passports are still (as of 22 June 2017) stamped at Erez when passing into and out of Gaza.[citation needed]

Iran refuses admission to holders of passports containing an Israeli visa or stamp that is less than 12 months old.

Biometrics

[edit]
See also: Countries applying biometrics

Several countries mandate that all travellers, or all foreign travellers, be fingerprinted on arrival and will refuse admission to or even arrest travellers who refuse to comply. In some countries, such as the United States, this may apply even to transit passengers who merely wish to change planes rather than go landside.[531]

Fingerprinting countries/regions include Afghanistan,[532][533] Argentina,[534] Brunei, Cambodia,[535] China,[536] Ethiopia,[537] Ghana, Guinea,[538] India, Japan,[539][540] Kenya (both fingerprints and a photo are taken),[541] Malaysia upon entry and departure,[542] Mongolia, Saudi Arabia,[543] Singapore, South Korea,[544] Taiwan, Thailand,[545] Uganda,[546] the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Many countries also require a photo be taken of people entering the country. The United States, which does not fully implement exit control formalities at its land frontiers (although long mandated by its own legislation),[547][548][549] intends to implement facial recognition for passengers departing from international airports to identify people who overstay their visa.[550]

Together with fingerprint and face recognition, iris scanning is one of three biometric identification technologies internationally standardised since 2006 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for use in e-passports[551] and the United Arab Emirates conducts iris scanning on visitors who need to apply for a visa.[552][553]

Travel consequences of Brexit

[edit]
Main article: Brexit

On 23 June 2016, a majority of the British electorate who voted, did so to leave the European Union in a nationwide referendum.[554]

In March 2017, the UK sent notification of their intention to leave the EU to the European Council through Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. British citizens ceased to be EU citizens upon the UK's departure from the EU thus forfeiting the rights of citizens.[555][556][557]

The UK withdrew from the EU on 31 January 2020, but British citizens retained the right of freedom of movement until the transitional period ended on 31 December 2020.

From 1 January 2021, when EU law ceased to apply to the United Kingdom, British citizens are afforded visa-free visits to the Schengen Area, for 90 days in any 180-day period.[55][56][57] British citizens also enjoy visa-free entry to Bulgaria[558] and Romania.[292]

From sometime in 2025, most visa-exempt travellers seeking entry to the EU and EEA must apply and pay for travel authorisation through ETIAS.[559][560] This was confirmed on 12 September 2018 and has no exception, yet agreed, for British citizens.[561] This excludes British-Irish travel which is governed by laws that pre-date the European Community.[562]

When in a non-EU country where there is no British embassy, British citizens no longer have the right to consular protection from the embassy of any other EU country present in that country.[563]

Consular protection of British citizens abroad

[edit]
Diplomatic missions of the United Kingdom

When in a country where there is no British embassy, British citizens may get help from the embassy of any other commonwealth country present in that country. There are also informal arrangements with some other countries, including New Zealand and Australia, to help British nationals in some countries.[564]

See also List of diplomatic missions of the United Kingdom.

Foreign travel statistics

[edit]
This section is transcluded from British passport. (edit | history)

According to the Foreign travel advice provided by the British Government (unless otherwise noted) these are the numbers of British visitors to various countries per annum in 2015 (unless otherwise noted):[565]

Foreign travel statistics

Country Number of visitors Lost or stolen passports
 Albania[note 1] 80,000
 American Samoa[note 2][566][567][failed verification] 119
 Angola[note 3][568] 14,267/12,319 ?
 Andorra[note 4] 150,000
 Anguilla[note 4][569] 5,021
 Antarctica[note 2][570] 3,915
 Antigua and Barbuda[note 2][571] 70,701
 Aruba[note 1][572] 10,447
 Australia[note 2][573] 731,900 640
 Austria[note 5][note 4][574] 919,500
 Azerbaijan[note 4][575] 29,514
 Bahamas[576] 28,022
 Bangladesh[note 1] 150,000
 Barbados[note 5][note 4][577] 218,638
 Belarus[note 4] 6,000
 Belgium[note 4][578] 868,173
 Belize[note 4][note 5][579] 13,342
 Bermuda[note 2][580] 41,348
 Bhutan[note 2][581] 3,246
 Bolivia[note 4][582] 17,528
 Bosnia and Herzegovina[note 2][583] 12,715
 Botswana[584] 41,011
 Brazil[note 2][585] 185,858
 Brunei[note 6][586] 18,222
 Bulgaria[note 7][587] 424,384
 Burkina Faso[note 4][588] 1,343
 Cambodia[note 4][589] 159,489
 Cameroon[note 1][note 5][590] 16,008
 Canada[note 2][591] 819,530
 Cape Verde[note 5][592] 126,685
 Cayman Islands[note 2][note 8][593] 14,017
 Chile[note 2][594] 54,714
 China[note 4][595][596] 594,300
 Colombia[597] 39,715
 Congo[note 9][598] 6,115
 Cook Islands[note 2][566][599] 2,954
 Costa Rica[note 2][600] 76,173
 Croatia[note 2][601] 750,675
 Cuba[602] 155,802
 Curacao[note 4][603] 2,806
 Cyprus[note 7][604] 1,327,805
 Czech Republic[note 5][note 2][605] 470,576
 Denmark[note 1] 150,000
 Dominica[606] 4,951
 Dominican Republic[note 2][607] 177,534
 Ecuador[note 1][608] 27,126
 Egypt 865,000
 Ethiopia[note 1] 20,000
 Estonia[note 5][note 2][609] 58,402
 Eswatini[note 4][610] 15,503
 Fiji[note 2][611] 16,925
 Finland[note 5][note 7][612] 232,071
 France[613] 12,235,713 1,344
 French Polynesia[note 2][614] 2,840
 Gambia[note 9][615] 60,424
 Ghana[note 1] 90,000
 Georgia[note 7][616] 29,406
 Germany[note 4][617] 2,551,061 606
 Greece[618] 2,397,169
 Greenland[note 4][619] 1,595
 Grenada[note 2][620] 25,351
 Guadeloupe[note 1] <1,000
 Hong Kong[note 2][621] 555,353
 Hungary[note 5][note 4][622] 376,573
 Iceland[note 7][623] 297,963
 Indonesia[note 4][624] 352,017
 India[note 2][625] 986,296
 Ireland[626] 3,547,000
 Israel[note 2][627] 198,500
 Italy[note 4][628] 4,922,000 737
 Jamaica[note 2][629] 217,647
 Japan[note 2][630] 310,500
 Jordan[note 4][631] 64,776
 Kazakhstan[note 2][632] 21,341
 Kiribati[note 2][566][633] 173
 Kuwait[note 4] 7,000
 Kenya[note 3] 100,000
 Kyrgyzstan[note 2][634] 6,900
 Laos[note 2][635] 27,723
 Latvia[note 5][note 2][636] 95,357
 Lebanon[note 4][637] 61,994
 Lesotho[note 10][638] 2,380
 Liechtenstein[note 1] 2,200
 Lithuania[note 4][639] 58,200
 Luxembourg[note 4][note 5][640] 69,350
 Macau[note 2][641] 57,121
 Madagascar[642] 3,167
 Malaysia[note 2][643] 358,818
 Malawi[note 11][644] 51,145
 Maldives[note 2][645] 103,977
 Malta[note 7][646] 640,570
 Mali[note 1][647] 900
 Marshall Islands[note 2][566] 51
 Mauritius[note 2][645] 149,807
 Mexico[note 2][note 8][648] 563,099
 Moldova[note 2][649] 11,555
 Mongolia[note 2][650] 6,012
 Montenegro[note 5][note 4][651] 37,464
 Montserrat[note 12][652] 1,380
 Morocco[653] 554,000
 Myanmar[note 4][654] 51,051
 Namibia[655] 27,365
   Nepal[656] 29,730
 New Caledonia[note 2][566] 708
 Nigeria[note 1] 117,000
 Niue[note 2][566][657] 146
 North Macedonia[note 4][note 5][658] 8,856
 Norway[note 1] 581,000
 Netherlands[note 2][659] 2,195,000 602
 New Zealand[note 2][660] 249,264
 Nicaragua[note 4][661] 16,923
 Oman[note 2][662] 143,224
 Pakistan[note 11][663] 275,400
 Palau[note 4][664] 852
 Panama[665] 16,338
 Papua New Guinea[note 4][666] 6,974
 Peru[note 2][667] 69,506
 Philippines[note 2][668] 182,708
 Poland[note 4][669] 796,900
 Portugal 2,600,000 405
 Qatar[note 2][670] 120,495
 Romania[note 13][671] 243,991
 Russia[note 2][672] 193,522
 Saba[note 1][note 8][673] 200
 Saint Lucia[674] 68,175
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines[675] 17,045
 Samoa[note 2][566][676] 1,422
 San Marino[citation needed] 5,750
 São Tomé and Príncipe[note 14][677] 83
 Serbia[note 7][note 5][678] 32,802
 Seychelles[note 2][679] 21,906
 Singapore[note 2][680] 518,903
 Sint Eustatius[note 1][note 8][673] 200
 Slovakia[note 4][note 5][681] 77,837
 Slovenia[note 2][note 5][682] 118,508
 Solomon Islands[note 2][683] 496
 South Africa[684] 407,486
 South Korea[note 2][685] 126,024