About Visa Requirements for UK Citizens | US Visa Help (2023)

UK citizens own one of the world’s most powerful passports, empowering them to easily visit about 186 countries without a visa taken beforehand. In 2017, Britons made around 72.8 million visits abroad, where 46.6 million were holiday visits, 17.6 million family and friends’ visits and 6.8 million were for business purposes. When compared to 2016, an increase of 4% is discerned as regards of the holiday travels abroad and 6% of travels made to meet relatives and friends living outside the UK.

Each time expecting to make a trip towards any of the 225 foreign countries and territories, make sure you recognize which the requirements to enter a particular country with your British passport are. The authorities in the overseas country that you’re visiting are empowered to decide and enforce different entry requirements towards citizens of any foreign country.

Visa Free Countries forUK Citizens

For many abroad destinations, you as a Briton will not need any authorization such as visa. And so, traveling to any of these countries is easier and quicker. You won’t need to make a visa application while worrying yourself with collecting visa documents beforehand traveling anyplace there. All you’ll need to take is a valid British passport and sufficient money to spend on your accommodation, living in a foreign place.

The list of 137 countries where you can travel just with your British passport:

*UK citizens are required to apply for Electronic Authorizations such as ESTA for USA and ETa for Canada and Australia to travel to these countries.

UK Citizens Travelling to Europe After BREXIT

The European Commission has decided that UK nationals should not fall under the Schengen visa regime, after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union at the end of March 2019. Once ETIAS is launched in 2021 UK citizens will need to apply for it to travel to Europe.

Visa on Arrival for UK Citizens

This approval is converted by customs and border staff into a traditional visa on the arrival, at the borders of the country, i.e. Airport.

The 28 countries to be listed below issue visas on the arrival when UK citizens have prior visa approval:

• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cambodia
• Cape Verde Islands
• Comoros Islands
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Oman
• Palau Islands
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Sri Lanka
• Suriname
• Tajikistan
• Timor-Leste
• Togo
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• United Arab Emirates
• Zimbabwe

E-visa for UK citizens

To travel towards any of the listed 5 countries, as a British citizen, you must get an e-Visa beforehand:

• Azerbaijan
• India
• Myanmar
• Nigeria
• Turkey

The procedure of applying for an electronic visa is quite simpler compared to the customary visa and the decision is usually taken in one business day.

Note: From the fact that everyone’s circumstances are unique, if you believe that you make a specific case of application or you need more information on your eligibility and requirements to enter into a particular foreign state or territory, the ultimate information may be taken at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of such state or territory.

Countries With Visa Regimes Towards UK Citizens

The vast majority of countries have abolished the visa regime towards the UK nationals. Still, in 2018, as a Briton, you need a visa taken beforehand for traveling to some about 36 world countries. And so, you will be subjected to go through an application to require a visa for your intended travel. Visa requirements are not similar in all the countries as every country has its unique entry policies and requirements for foreigners entering there.

There are 36countries where you as a British citizen, need a visa to visit them, as follows:

Vaccination Requirements for UK Citizens Travelling Abroad

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed some countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Due to that, whenever traveling in or through any of such yellow fever-risk countries towards your final foreign destination, you must hold a yellow card. The Carte Jaune or Yellow Card is an international certificate of vaccination issued by WHO, showing you don’t represent a danger of transmitting the yellow fever.

The yellow card for all nationalities, as of 11 July 2016, has become valid for the entire life of the vaccinated individual.
You are required to present the yellow card at the borders, whenever traveling towards any of the listed 41 countries with risk of yellow fever transmission:

You must provide the yellow card at the borders, whenever traveling towards the listed countries from the yellow fever-risk countries:

• Afghanistan***
• Albania*
• Algeria*
• Antigua and Barbuda*
• Aruba***
• Australia*
• Bahamas*
• Bahrain***
• Bangladesh*
• Barbados*
• Belize*
• Bhutan
• Bonaire***
• Botswana*
• Brunei Darussalam***
• Cabo Verde*
• Cambodia*
• China***
• Christmas Island*
• Costa Rica***
• Cuba***
• Curaçao***
• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea*
• Djibouti*
• Dominica*
• Egypt***
• El Salvador*
• Eritrea***
• Fiji*
• French Polynesia*
• Grenada*
• Guadeloupe*
• Guatemala*
• Haiti*
• Honduras*
• India***
• Indonesia***
• Iran (Islamic Republic of)***
• Iraq***
• Jamaica*
• Jordan*
• Kiribat*
• Kyrgyzstan*
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Lesotho**
• Libya*
• Madagascar***
• Malawi*
• Malaysia*
• Maldives*
• Malta***
• Martinique*
• Mauritius*
• Mayotte*
• Montserrat*
• Mozambique***
• Myanmar*
• Namibia***
• Nauru*
• Nepal*
• New Caledonia*
• Nicaragua*
• Niue***
• Oman***
• Pakistan*
• Philippines*
• Pitcairn Islands*
• Réunion*
• Rwanda*
• Saint Barthélemy*
• Saint Helena*
• Saint Kitts and Nevi*
• Saint Lucia***
• Saint Martin*
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines*
• Samoa*
• São Tomé and Príncipe*
• Saudi Arabia*
• Seychelles*
• Singapore*
• Sint Eustatius**
• Sint Maarten**
• Solomon Islands
• Somalia***
• South Africa*
• Sri Lanka***
• Swaziland***
• Thailand***
• Timor Leste*
• Tristan da Cunha**
• Wallis and Futuna*
• Zambia*
• Zimbabwe***

*people of ages 1 and older

**people of ages 6 and older

***people of ages 9 and older

Fingerprints before entering

If you travel to certain foreign countries, you must provide your fingerprints at the borders.Such countries are Argentina, Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and South Korea.

Entry and Departure Taxes

There are countries that charge taxes for travelers entering or departing their country. These fees are included in your travel ticket or you need to pay them separately. Payment is done in cash or bank cards.

Here are the 32 countries charging border-crossing and other taxes for travelers:

Bahamas

There is a payable departure tax of $15.00 (US or Bahamian Dollars) whenever leaving this country.

Belize

There is a payable airside departure tax is BZD$111 or US$50, and landside departure tax is BZD$40 or US$20 whenever leaving the country.

British Virgin Islands

There is a payable airside departure tax of US$15 and a security fee of US$5, a seaside departure tax of US$15 when you leave the country. Also, there is an airside/seaside/landside environmental and tourism tax of US$10 when you arrive there.

Central African Republic

There is a payable departure tax of 10,000 when leaving the country through Bangui Airport on international flights.

Columbia

There is an airside departure fee, but you need to check if it is included in the price of your travel ticket or you need to pay it separately.

Costa Rica

There is a payable airside departure tax of $29.

Cuba

There is an airside departure tax of 25 Cuban convertible pesos (CUCs).

Democratic Republic of the Congo

There is a departure tax of $50 plus a fee of 5,000 Congolese France (for international flights) and $10 (for national flights).

Dominica

There is a payable departure tax of 59 East Caribbean Dollars (or US$23) (if you are of age 12 or older).

Dominican Republic

There is a departure tax of US$20.

Falkland Islands

There is a payable £22 departure tax.

Guatemala

There is a payable US$30 (or Quetzal equivalent) airside departure tax.

Haiti

There is a payable US$55 departure tax on international flights.

Honduras

There is a payable landside departure and entry tax of US$3. Also, there is an airside departure tax of US$47.59 (or Lempira equivalent) on international flights and of US$2 (or Lempira equivalent) on domestic flights.

India

There is an airside payable user development fee (UDF) of Rs. 1,000 on international flights and Rs.150 to 260 on domestic flights.

Indonesia

There is an airside payable departure tax, which may or may not be included in your flight ticket.

Jamaica

There is an airside departure tax of US $35. Also, there is an arrival and seaside tax, which and usually all of them are included in the price of your travel ticket.

Kiribati

There is a payable departure tax of AU$20.

Madagascar

There is a payable airside security tax usually included in the travel ticket.

Marshall Islands

There is an airside payable departure tax of $20.

Mexico

There is an airside and landside departure fee whenever leaving Mexico.

Montserrat

There is an embarkation tax of EC$25 for residents or EC$45 for non-residents whenever leaving the country. Also, there is a travel security fee of EC$10 for everyone leaving the country through the John A Osborne Airport and ferry port.

Nicaragua

There is an arrival tax of US$10 and a departure tax of US$35.

Palau

There is a payable departure tax of US$20 as well as an environmental tax of US$30.

Panama

There is a payable airport departure fee of US$40.

Philippines

There is a payable airport departure fee of 750 pesos when leaving the country through the Cebu Mactan Airport.

Samoa

There is a payable departure tax of $ST 40 for all travelers older than 11.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

There is a payable visitor fee of £125 applying to visitors who stays for up to 72 hours in their territory. While for those staying from 72 up to 1 month, there is a fee up to £205.

St Kitts and Nevis

There is a departure tax which is included in the travel ticket.

St Vincent and the Grenadines

There is a departure tax which is included in the travel ticket.

St. Lucia

There is a departure tax which is included in the travel ticket.

Suriname

There is a departure tax of $66 or €52.

Your Previous Travel

There are countries where you cannot go if you have previously entered/departed to/from another specific country.
Here is a list of 12 countries where you cannot go if you have previously traveled to a particular country:

Sudan

You cannot enter Sudan if you have any entry or departure stamp of Israel.

Syria

Entering into Syria is impossible if you have any entry or departure stamp of Israel.

United Arab Emirates

You may not be allowed to enter for working in the UAE if you have any visa or entry/exit stamps of Israel in your passport.

Saudi Arabia

You may be banned to enter the country if you have any visa or stamp in your passport from Israel, or if you are born in Israel.

Serbia

You can be denied entering the country if you have any stamp in your passport from the Republic of Kosovo.

The Palestinian Territories

You may be subject to questioning at the border crossing from Israeli authorities if your passport has evidence of any previous travel to other regional countries.

Kuwait

Your entry in this country may be denied if you have in your passport, a visa or an entry/exit stamp of Israel.

Libya

You will be denied entering Libya if you have previously traveled to Israel.

Jordan

You may be banned to enter the country if you have any visa or stamp in your passport from Israel, or if you are born in Israel.

Egypt

You may be banned to enter the country if you have any visa or stamp in your passport from Israel, or if you are born in Israel.

Iran

You may be denied entering there if your passport contains a border-crossing stamp or visas of Israel.

Bahrain

You may be banned entering the country if you have a visa or entry/exit stamp of Israel on your passport.

Registration Upon Arrival

When entering some world countries, you must register yourself in the first days of arriving. The registration is to locate you, during your stay in such a foreign country. Not getting registered within the required deadline, you may be fined, face difficulties leaving the country, persecuted and even arrested.

Here is a list of 18 countries with mandatory registration requirements for foreigners entering their territory:

Belarus

If you are staying more than 5 days there, you must register with the local police office. This can be organized by the hotel/host where you’re accommodated in.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

In 72 hours of entering you need to register with the local police office. This can be arranged by the hotel. If you are staying more than 90 days there you need to apply to the Border Police for a residence permit. Despite the passport you must have a report from the UK police showing you have a clear criminal record.

Germany

You will not need to register for stays less than 3 months. Registration at the German registration office is required in 3 months of entering the country if you want to study or work there.

Indonesia

You need to register yourself as soon as entering the country. Your hotel staff will register you when checking-in, if you will be accommodated in a hotel room. You will get a fine of Rp 5 million if you don’t comply with this requirement.

Kazakhstan

If you are staying more than 90 days there, you must register with the Department for Visas and Registration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Kyrgyzstan

If you are staying more than 60 days there, you need to register in 5 days of arriving there with the State Registration Service.

Libya

In 7 days of arriving there, you must register with the local police office. This can be arranged by the hotel or travel agency.

Lithuania

If you are staying over 3 months you must apply for a residence permit in the first days of your arrival. The application must be made with the Migration Department under the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Lithuania.

Macedonia

In 2 days from entering the country, you must register yourself with the local police. If you are staying in the hotel, you will be automatically registered by hotel staff when checking-in. You may be charged 600-1000 Euros if you don’t comply with this requirement, or get a court hearing, you may even get restricted to enter again the country.

Moldova

If you have entered by land this country via Transnistria segment from Ukraine, you will be granted a registration document instead of an entry stamp at the borders. If you entered the country by train, you will not undergo the border control nor be issued an entry stamp in the passport. You need in this case in 3 days register at the Bureau for Migration and Asylum in Chisinau. To register, send your passport and the evidence of travel.

Mongolia

You need to register within 1 week of entering the country with the Mongolian Immigration Agency in Ulaanbaatar if you are staying over 30 days there, or if you have entered there without a visa. After registration, you will get a Mongolian residence permit with your credentials included, counting also photographs and fingerprints. You must get an exit visa from the same agency when you leave the country if you have been there for more than 90 days.

Montenegro

In 2 days of arriving there, you must register with the local police/tourist organization. You don’t need to register if staying in the hotel room.

Serbia

You have to register with the police in 2 days from entering the country. If you are staying at the hotel, you will be registered by checking-in. If staying by other accommodation means, you have to register yourself at the local police department.

Slovakia

When entering the country for a long-term stay you must register with the police in 3 days from entering the country. To register, send your passport, two recently made photographs and evidence of your accommodation there. You can apply for a Slovak residence card if you want to confirm your ID instead of a passport, during your stay there.

Spain

For stays over 3 months there you need to register with the Foreigners’ Office or at the local police station.

Turkmenistan

You must register in 3 days of entering the country with the State Migration Service. You need to pay a $14 migration fee. You have to provide two recently made photographs and a letter of intention to leave the country.

Uzbekistan

You must register in 3 days of your arrival with the Department of Foreign Travel and Exit. When staying in a hotel/private house, the hotel staff/the host will be completing the registration form and send your passport to the authorities and return it. When you move to another city, you have to register again in 3 days of entering such country. You must give a list of all locations you have stayed in Uzbekistan, at the moment you leave the country.

Vietnam

You must give your passport to the hotel staff to register you with the local police. If you are staying in a private house the host will have to register you.

Countries with special requirements for foreigners

There are countries that have special entry, residence and departure requirements towards foreign people entering there, not excluding the British citizens.
The list of 25 countries with special requirements for foreign people:

Argentina

You may not be allowed to enter the country if you don’t show the evidence of onward travel plans (out of the country).

Bahrain

Your exit from Bahrain might be denied if you are involved in legal proceedings, have any owing debt, you are banned to travel, having overstayed there, or similarly.

Bhutan

You cannot enter or leave the country through countries such as Phuntsoling, Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephug (by road) or Paro (by air).

Burma

When you enter Burma through Tachilek, KawThoung, Myawaddy or Htee Khee-Sunaron border crossings you can leave through Rangoon or Mandalay International Airport. If you enter through the Muse or Tamu border crossing you must leave through the same route from which you arrived there. If you are intending to travel to Thailand you must check beforehand for requirements and authorizations.

China

You need to get a Chinese visa at the China border if you are entering through Macao. You must get a double or multiple entry visa, if you are also leaving China through Macao and re-entering China via the same route.

Denmark

If you are entering Denmark through German border crossing you may be subjected to undergo passport control at the borders.

India

If you hold an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card you won’t need an Indian visa to enter, stay there and leave the country.

Iraq

You must extend your visa in 10 days of arriving there. Otherwise, you must get an exit stamp, and leave the country immediately.

Moldova

When entering the country by landside via Ukraine use an internationally recognized border in the north and south of the country. When entering through the internal border between Transnistria and Moldova you won’t be required to undergo the immigration control. Still, when entering on Transnistria you must complete two migration card copies, one of them you shall need to exit the country.

Morocco

You cannot enter this country through the Algerian border, as it is closed. Use an alternative route instead. You must enter through a recognized port if you are entering by boat.

Nicaragua

This country as a part of the CA-4 agreement (Central America Border Control Agreement) allows British people to enter and stay there and in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala for 90 days without any border-crossing formality. You may get fine if overstaying in any of the CA-4 regions.

Oman

You may be delayed entering through the Yemen border there, if you don’t have evidence of onward travel (out of the country), proof of accommodation, or health insurance.

Pakistan

If you possess a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or Smart National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (SNICOP), you won’t need a visa to enter or stay in this country without any time restriction.

Russia

If you are traveling on a cruise or ferry organized tour by licensed companies you can remain in Russia for 72 hours without needing a visa. You can travel in such an organized trip to St Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Vladivostok, Sochi, Vyborg, Korsakov (Sakhalin Island) and Novorossiysk. Every time entering Russia you will have to sign two copies of an Immigration Card, one of which you will need to get a hotel room and to exit the country. When entering/leaving Russia from/to Belarus you will undergo the immigration control. You may need a transit visa for transiting Russia by air to/from Belarus. When driving to Russia you must not enter through the border with Belarus. For traveling to Russia through Belarus border by train you are advised to get the prior counsel of travel agencies or Russian Embassy beforehand.

Saudi Arabia

You may be delayed or denied to enter the country, or to make onward travel if you don’t have a sponsor on the arrival and you are a female.

South Korea

You may be accountable for military service if you are traveling with a British passport, but you are a male of Korean origin and your name is listed on the Korean family register.

Sweden

If you are entering Sweden through Denmark border crossing you may be subjected to undergo passport control at the borders.

Tajikistan

When visiting zones in Khatlon Region nearby Afghanistan you must apply beforehand your travel for a permit with the Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dushanbe. Additionally, you must get a three-days-validity re-entry visa beforehand your travel to Tajikistan in case you will be returning to Russia, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. You must get a long-term Tajikistan visa with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Intourist Tajikistan if you will be staying for longer periods.

Thailand

Before traveling to Thailand through Laos or Malaysia make sure to check beforehand about the requirements and authorizations you need.

The Palestinian Territories

OPTs are territories under the administration of Israelis. You will need your British passport and immigration slip to enter OPTs through Israel and vice-versa. You may get imprisoned and deported if entering Gaza if you don’t have the required authorization. Your entrance may be denied if you intend working in the OPTs.

United States of America

You must have applied through and received the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before your travel, if you are staying there for up to 90 days. When entering the US from Cuba, you must have with you supporting evidence of the reason for traveling to Cuba.

Ukraine

When entering the country, you may need to show evidence of having enough money to cover the costs of living and accommodation during your stay there. This can be proven by cash, bank statements, booked accommodation, sponsorship letter, paid round-trip reservation, other.

United Arabian Emirates

Your exit from the emirates might be denied if you are involved in legal proceedings, have any owing debt, you are banned to travel, or similar.

Vietnam

As a British national, you may be denied to cross the local border points with Cambodia and Laos.

Zimbabwe

If you wish to visit other countries, despite Zimbabwe, you must get the document known as the Kaza Uni-Visa, to cost US $50. This is to allow you to cross between many countries as many times as you wish for 30 days. The Kaza Uni-Visa is valid for Zimbabwe, day-trips to Botswana, Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls airports and at the land borders at Victoria Falls (Zambian border) and Kazungula (Botswana border).

Health requirements

If you travel to some countries, in a few days from entering or at the borders you may be required to undertake general or specific medical screening or tests.

The list of 8 countries requiringforeign visitors to undertake a medical checkup:

Botswana

You need to undergo medical screening for Ebola if you enter there from Ebola-infected countries.

Cuba

You will need to undertake a health-screening at the borders, to examine whether you are infected with an infectious illness like Zika or other similar sicknesses.

Egypt

You need to be tested for HIV only if you’re applying for an Egyptian work permit.

India

You must have a valid polio vaccination certificate if you are entering there from Israel, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya or Somalia.

Iraq

You need to show you are not infected with HIV aids or hepatitis. You must undertake the needed blood tests in 10 days of entering there, except if you are a tourist visa traveler. You are required to repeat the test every 90 days for the period spent in this country.

Jordan

Only if you are staying for more than 30 days. You have to pay 20 Jordanian Dinars to get the HIV health certificate.

Pakistan

You must have a valid polio vaccination certificate if you are leaving the country after having stayed there for more than 4 weeks.

Singapore

You may be required to get screened for Screening for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) if entering Singapore after having travelled to the Middle East.

Travel tips for UK citizens traveling abroad

It’s crucial that you get well-informed and arranged for foreign travel. When you have the needed information and travel items, your chances for a safe and healthy trip get better. There are 50 million estimated annual visits abroad that British people make, and most of them are trouble-free. Yet, everyone should be responsible for their own safety and activities while abroad. It’s well-advised that you don’t participate in activities that potentially represent any sort of danger.

• Research about the destination. Getting to understand your foreign destination well in advance, helps you better participate in the living there out of endangerment. You are advised to gather relevant information and personal advice about your destination from confirmed sources and groups on social media. This takes account of the country’s customs, laws, political and security system, religion, health, public services, culture, sport social system and more.
• Get an e-Passport if you’re traveling to the US. If you don’t already have an e-passport, you’ll not be able to benefit from US visa waiver program, so you’ll need to get a visa instead. It takes up to six weeks to get UK e-passport.
• Check your passport’s validity period. Each world country has its own requirements for the validity period of the foreign visitor’s passport, so be sure your passport validity meets such requirement.
• Get the correct visa. If you’re traveling to a foreign destination that requires you to have a visa beforehand, be sure you’re making the right visa application. The visa has to be compliant with the reason for traveling.
• Complete the emergency contact section in your passport. Putting your family or friends contact in your passport is important in case of an emergency case.
• Take the legal authorization for a child traveling with you. If you’re traveling with a child for whom you don’t have legal responsibility, contact the travel agency to see what the requirements in such case are.
• Get covered by a travel insurance policy. It’s important you have the medical coverage for any health emergency during your visit. If you’re traveling within the EU or Switzerland you’ll need medical travel insurance. Your health insurance must be valid for the entire trip and for everyone accompanying you. If you have a mental or other health condition, you have to know that standard health insurance policies don’t cover them. So make sure the health policy you get, covers full psychiatric and other specific medical care abroad.
• Know if you need to be vaccinated beforehand. Understand beforehand if the country you’re traveling requires a prior vaccination or has medical requirements for visitors. Visit 4-6 weeks in advance a general practitioner or another health professional to seek their medical advice for your destination. To make your own research, use the following information leaflets: world immunization chart, world malaria risk chart, world schistosomiasis risk chart, Chagas disease.
• Leave aside some backup money. Despite the money you’ll need to cover your living and leisure costs, it’s well-advised to take with you or to have access to money that you may need in case of an emergency.
• Get to know if there are facilities for disabled people. If you’re a disabled person, you’re advised to get informed if the foreign country you’re visiting is accessible for disabled people.
• Know if the foreign country doesn’t discriminate LGBT members. If you’re a member of the LGBT group, it’s advisable you invest some time in researching if the country you’ve chosen does not discriminate you based on your sexual orientation. Likewise, it’s essential you use advice and tips to keep safe as an LGBT while traveling abroad. Use also information and advice offered in International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association, International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, Gay European Tourism Association, Equaldex.
• Get informed about the tropical cyclones. If you’re traveling towards areas of tropical cyclones or hurricanes, you have to know which the predictions about the upcoming cyclones are. If you’re intending to travel during cyclones periods, you have to make the needed preparations and information to prevent yourself from any eventual life-threatening situation.