| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Yes | No | No |
| EU | Yes | No | No |
| USA | Yes | No | No |
| Canadian | Yes | No | No |
| British | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Passports
The United Kingdom is not a member of the European Union (EU), but it has a long-standing Common Travel Area agreement with Ireland. This means that citizens of the UK and Ireland, along with the Crown Dependencies (the Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Jersey and Bailiwick of Guernsey) can live, work or study in any of the participating countries without restrictions.
To enter the United Kingdom, a passport valid for the duration of stay is required by all nationals.
Nationals from the following countries can use eGates at various airports and railway stations to enter the UK quickly and securely: British, all EU nationals, nationals from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States of America. Those who use the eGates must have a passport with a biometric symbol on the cover of your passport and are aged 12 or over. Those who are 12-17 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Visas
Nationals of countries/territories who need a visa to enter the UK: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain*, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China*, Comoros, Congo (Republic of), Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Eswatini (Swaziland), Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indonesia*, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait*, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Northern Cyprus (the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), Oman*, Pakistan, Palestine Territories, Philippines, Qatar*, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa*, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria*, Taiwan*, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey*, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates*, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam*, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Bahrain: holders of diplomatic and special passports are exempted.
• China: holders of diplomatic passports and those who travel with a serving Chinese government minister on an official visit are exempted.
• Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey, Vietnam: Holders of diplomatic passports do not require a visa for official visits, tourist visits or transit.
• Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE: Holders of diplomatic and special passports do not require a visa for official visits, tourist visits or transit. Holders of ordinary passports do not require a visa if they hold a valid electronic visa waiver (EVW) document.
• Taiwan: Passports with a personal ID number on the biodata page are exempted.
• Syria: Holders may not use a USA visa (B1/B2) to transit through the UK.
Nationals of countries/territories who do not need a visa to enter the UK: All EU countries, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Micronesia, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Vatican City.
Visa Note
Visa rules are subject to change. For up-to-date information, please see www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
Types and Cost
There are various types of visa, including but not limited to:
• Airside transit: £35
• Other transits: £64
• Short-term (single or multiple-entry, up to six months): £100
• Long-term (up to two years): £376
• Long-term (up to five years): £670
Validity
See above
Transit
Some nationals can transit in the UK 'airside' without a visa if they arrive and depart by air, have a confirmed onward flight departing the same day from the same airport, and hold the correct documents for their destination. However, other nationals are subject to more rules. Please check www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa before transiting in the UK.
Application to
Contact the embassy, high commission or consulate.
Schengen Visas
The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area so the Schengen visa scheme does not apply.
Working days
The length of time taken to process visa applications depends on the nationality of the applicant and the country where you're applying. Beware that the earliest you can apply is three months before you travel.
Sufficient Funds
All applicants are expected to provide information about your finances.
Extension of stay
See the UK government website www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa.
Entry with pets
See the UK government website www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-uk.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7008 1500 (consular assistance).
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office
Address: ,King Charles Street,London,SW1A 2AH,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1700.
British Embassy in the USA
Telephone: +1 202 588 6500
Website: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-washington
Address: NW,3100 Massachusetts Avenue,Washington,20008,
Opening times:
By appointment only. Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (telephone enquiries).
FAQs
Do I need a visa to go to the UK from USA? ›
Quick Facts. TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays less than six months.
Do you need a visa or just a passport? ›Many people assume a visa and a passport are the same, but these are two separate documents that are both required when people travel internationally. Some countries have a visa agreement that allows their citizens to travel visa-free, but anyone travelling to another country must have a passport in most cases.
What passports can enter UK without visa? ›EU , EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. In other cases, find out if you need to apply for a visa to enter the UK . You can cross the UK border using a valid passport which should be valid for the whole time you are in the UK .
Can I enter the UK without a passport? ›From 1 October 2021 you need a valid passport to travel to the United Kingdom (UK). The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information on travelling to the UK from 2021.
What do US citizens need to travel to UK? ›UK Border Entry
Starting June 2019 U.S. passport holders will be able to use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens who had previously registered for the UK's Registered Traveller Service (RTS) should now also use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the UK.
To enter the United Kingdom, all U.S. citizens, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, and South Africans must have a passport valid through their length of stay. No visa is required. A passport will allow you to stay in the country for up to 6 months.