United Kingdom visa requirements and entry rules

Headline

Up to 6 months visa-free (visit visa equivalent at border)

Pre-arrival card

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

Official portal

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Specifics

Since 2 April 2025, ETA required for almost all visa-free visitors including U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and EU citizens.
ETA cost £16, valid 2 years, multiple stays of up to 6 months each.
British and Irish citizens need no documentation beyond a passport (Common Travel Area).
Apply only on gov.uk; lookalike sites charge premiums or harvest data.

By passport nationality

Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on United Kingdom’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.

US passport
ETA required
Up to 180 days · £16
Pre-arrival: UK ETA (since 2 April 2025)
- ETA valid 2 years, multiple stays of up to 6 months each.
- Apply on gov.uk only.
UK passport
Visa-free
No day limit
- Citizens of the UK.
EU passport
ETA required
Up to 180 days · £16
Pre-arrival: UK ETA (since 2 April 2025)
- ETA valid 2 years, multiple stays of up to 6 months.
CA passport
ETA required
Up to 180 days · £16
Pre-arrival: UK ETA
- ETA valid 2 years, multiple stays of up to 6 months.
AU passport
ETA required
Up to 180 days · £16
Pre-arrival: UK ETA
- ETA valid 2 years, multiple stays of up to 6 months.
IN passport
Consular visa required
Up to 180 days · £127
Pre-arrival: Standard Visitor visa
- Apply online on gov.uk; typically issued in 3 weeks.
BR passport
ETA required
Up to 180 days · £16
Pre-arrival: UK ETA
- ETA valid 2 years, multiple stays of up to 6 months.
JP passport
ETA required
Up to 180 days · £16
Pre-arrival: UK ETA
- ETA valid 2 years, multiple stays of up to 6 months.
CN passport
Consular visa required
Up to 180 days · £127
Pre-arrival: Standard Visitor visa
- Apply online on gov.uk; typically issued in 3 weeks.

Practical guidance

For most short-stay tourists

The headline rule for United Kingdom is up to 6 months visa-free (visit visa equivalent at border). US passport-holders specifically get eta required for up to 180 days at £16, with UK ETA (since 2 April 2025) required pre-arrival. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.

Pre-arrival documentation

United Kingdom requires ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in United Kingdom.

When to apply

For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. United Kingdom’s official portal is www.gov.uk; only apply through that portal or through your nearest United Kingdom embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.

Common rejection reasons

Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming United Kingdom explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.

Related for United Kingdom

More on United Kingdom

Read the United Kingdom visa and entry requirements chapter →

The UK is one of the safest large destinations in the world by every category that matters to a visitor. The structure of risk is concentrated and specific: a phone snatching epidemic in central London that has redefined urban street crime since 2023, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that became mandatory in 2025, NHS billing that surprises non-EU visitors, four nations with four different policies on health and devolved law, and a small set of weather-driven outdoor risks in the Scottish Highlands and on Atlantic coasts. This guide unpacks the ETA mechanics, the London street-crime pattern, NHS access for foreigners, the four-nation legal map, and the practical contacts that shape day-to-day travel decisions.

Frequently asked about United Kingdom

Do I need a visa to travel to United Kingdom?

The headline rule is: Up to 6 months visa-free (visit visa equivalent at border). Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on United Kingdom's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.

How long can I stay in United Kingdom on a tourist visa?

Up to 6 months visa-free (visit visa equivalent at border). ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.

Can I extend my visa once I'm in United Kingdom?

Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. United Kingdom's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.