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United Kingdom · Entry rules

Who needs a visa for the UK?

Entry rules for the UK by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from the UK Home Office (Immigration Rules), checked .

In brief

Citizens of 1 countries and territories can visit the UK without a visa. 83 can apply for an eVisa or ETA online. 114 need a visa before they travel.

UK visa fee: A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to 6 months; the earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. ≈ USD 181 or EUR 162 at the ECB rate of . Official fee since . Source: UK Home Office, checked .

UK visa processing time: After applying online and proving identity, you usually get a decision within 3 weeks. Source: UK Home Office, checked .

UK ETA fee: An ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and it is not refundable. ≈ USD 27 or EUR 24 at the ECB rate of . Official fee since . Source: UK Home Office, checked .

UK ETA processing time: A decision usually arrives by email within a day but can take up to 3 working days; do not travel until you have the email confirming the ETA. Source: UK Home Office, checked .

Visa-free
1
On arrival
0
eVisa or ETA
83
Visa required
114

About 6.4 bn people (79% of the world's other nationalities by population) need a visa arranged before they travel to the UK: a visa, an eVisa or a visa only with another permit.

Checked 6 Nov 2026Source: UK Home OfficeReport a change

Most commonIndiaUnited StatesUnited Arab EmiratesCanadaHong KongPakistanAll passports

United Kingdom entry rules at a glance

GroupStayNationalitiesExamplesSource
Free movementNot stated1IrelandCabinet Office and Home Office
ETAUp to 6 months per visit82United States, United Arab Emirates, Canada, BrazilUK Home Office
ETA, with conditionsUp to 6 months per visit1TaiwanUK Home Office
Visa requiredNot stated114India, China, Indonesia, PakistanUK Home Office
Visa requiredNot stated1TaiwanUK Home Office

Free movement: Ireland

1 nationality

Common Travel Area.

Source: Cabinet Office and Home Office, checked Under the CTA, British and Irish citizens can move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and privileges, including the right to work, study and vote in certain elections

ETA for up to 6 months per visit: the US, the UAE, Canada and 79 more

82 nationalities

Apply online for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before you travel.

Source: UK Home Office (Immigration Rules), checked ETANL 1.1. Nationalities of the following locations (including countries and associated territories) are subject to the requirement to obtain an ETA for travel to the UK, pursuant to Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation

ETA for up to 6 months per visit with conditions: Taiwan

1 nationality

Taiwan passport that includes the Taiwan identification card number.

Source: UK Home Office (Immigration Rules), checked *Those who hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan.

Visa required: India, China, Indonesia and 111 more

114 nationalities

Apply for a visa before you travel.

Source: UK Home Office (Immigration Rules), checked VN 1.1. A person who meets one or more of the criteria below needs entry clearance (a visa) in advance of travel to the UK for any purpose, unless they meet one of the exceptions set out in VN2.1 and VN2.2.

Visa required: Taiwan

1 nationality

Taiwan passport without the Taiwan identification card number.

Source: UK Home Office (Immigration Rules), checked (c) nationals or citizens of Taiwan who hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan

Where to apply

Apply for the ETA only on the official site, apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk. Look-alike sites charge extra for the same form. A visa is applied for at an embassy or consulate of the UK, or the visa centre it names, in the country where you live.

These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules. Our guides: UK ETA: who needs one and how to apply, UK Standard Visitor visa: who needs one and how to apply, UK transit visa: who needs one, Countries you can visit with a UK visa.

Most searched passports

FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit the UK?

It depends on your passport: 1 nationalities are visa-free, 83 can use an eVisa or ETA and 114 need a visa. Choose your passport above.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for the UK?

Yes. Indian citizens need a visa before they travel to the UK (UK Home Office (Immigration Rules), checked 6 Nov 2026).

Do US citizens need a visa for the UK?

Yes, but online: US citizens apply for an ETA before they travel (up to 6 months per visit) (UK Home Office (Immigration Rules), checked 6 Nov 2026).

Can I apply for an United Kingdom visa online?

Yes, if you are eligible: 83 nationalities can apply online for an eVisa or ETA. Apply only at apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk.

Sources and changes

  1. Cabinet Office and Home Officegov.uk · checked 6 Nov 2026
  2. UK Home Office (Immigration Rules)gov.uk · checked 6 Nov 2026
  3. UK Home Office (Immigration Rules)gov.uk · checked 6 Nov 2026
  4. Check if you need a UK visa or ETA (GOV.UK)gov.uk · checked 6 Nov 2026
  5. Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (GOV.UK)gov.uk · checked 6 Nov 2026
  6. Standard Visitor visa (GOV.UK)gov.uk · checked 6 Nov 2026
  7. Official application site (apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk)apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk · checked 6 Nov 2026
  1. All groups checked against UK Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration). No change since.

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