Travel Essentials: Visa and Passport

Passports

Summary of Requirements

Passport

• European Economic Area citizens and Swiss nationals may present a valid national ID card instead of a passport
• Passports required for all other visitors

Visa

• Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and United States do not need a visa for a tourist visit to the UK for up to six months
• European Economic Area citizens and Swiss nationals have the right of free movement and residence in the UK
• Required for citizens of some other countries; see section Visa Required

Return Ticket

• Not required, but may be requested to obtain a visa

Additional Restrictions

• In addition to needing a visa to enter the United Kingdom, nationals of some countries also need a visa to transit through the UK, known as Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV); see Visa Required below

Passport

Required for all visitors except European Economic Area citizens and Swiss nationals holding a valid national ID card. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States are required to provide a valid passport to enter the UK.

Visa

Visa-Exempt

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States do not need a visa for a tourist visit to the UK of up to six months.

European Economic Area citizens and Swiss nationals have the right of free movement and residence in the UK.

Visa Required

Citizens of the following countries and territories are required to obtain a visa to enter the United Kingdom: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus (northern), Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Palestinian Authority, the Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan (exception: Taiwan passport which includes the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan), Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nationals of the following countries  need a visa to transit through the UK, known as a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Cyprus (northern part), Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Macedonia, Malawi, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Nigeria, Palestinian Authority, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia (including documents issued by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo), Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, Venezuela (exception: passport contains biometric information held in an electronic chip, which is issued by the Republic of Venezuela), Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

Holders of certain documents are, regardless of nationality, exempt from the requirement to hold a Direct Airside Transit Visa when transiting the UK. Additional requirements/exemptions apply in certain circumstances. Short-term visas are valid for six months.                 

Visa Requirements

There is no list of required documents to apply for a visa to enter the United Kingdom. The following list of documents is for guidance purposes only. The visa applicant is responsible for satisfying the Entry Clearance Officer that he/she is genuinely seeking entry to the UK for the purpose and duration stated. The visa applicant must choose which documents to submit.

Supporting documents for a General Visitor Visa (tourist purposes or visiting friends) may include: 

All Applicants

1. A valid travel document or passport
2. One passport-sized color photograph not more than six months old
3. Appropriate fee
4. Travelers who are not nationals of the country they are applying in must provide evidence of permission to be in that country
5. Evidence to support the information given
6. Previous passport(s)
7. Evidence of how trip is to be funded

Personal Details Section

1. Unless single, evidence of marital status
2. Written notification from the child’s parent or legal guardian that they consent to the child’s visit (if applicable)
3. Official record of any conviction(s), detailing the crime(s) convicted of and the sentence(s) received

Finances and Employment

1. Evidence of current employment/self employment/studies/other means of support
2. Evidence of total monthly income from all sources of employment after tax
3. Evidence of any income from other sources

Tourist/Visiting Friend(s)

1. Planned itinerary, if held
2. Details of any hotel/flight bookings, etc.
3. Supporting letter from friend/sponsor

Note that additional documents may be required or requested in some cases.

Visa Types

The United Kingdom issues the following types of visas:

• General Visitor Visa (VAF1A, for tourism or to visit friends)
• Family Visa (VAF1B)
• Business Visa (VAF1C)
• Student Visa (VAF1D)
• Academic Visa (VAF1E)
• Marriage/Register for Marriage or Civil Partnership Visa (VAF1F)
• Medical Treatment Visa (VAF1G)
• Transit Visa (VAF1H)
• Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)
• Sports Visa (VAF1J)
• Entertainment Visa (VAF1K)
• Employment Visa
• Prospective Student Visa
• Student Dependant Visa
• Settlement Visa
• Returning Resident Visa
• EEA Family Permit Visa
• Right of Abode Visa
• Overseas Territories Visa
• Commonwealth Countries Visa

More Information

Note that this information is subject to change. Travelers are advised to obtain the most current information from the primary source. For more information about visas, residence, and immigration, as well as application forms and fee information, visit the website of the UK Border Agency Visa Services, www.ukvisas.gov.uk, the website of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner at www.oisc.gov.uk/, or contact the nearest British Embassy or Consulate.

Sources: UK Border Agency Visa Services; US Department of State

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