Visa requirements for British citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the United Kingdom.
As of 2026, British citizens have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 184 countries and territories, ranking the British passport 6th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.
The United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 January 2020, and British citizens consequently lost their freedom of movement to EU countries; however, under the Common Travel Area, British citizens continue to have freedom of movement to Ireland.
Visa requirements for other classes of British nationals such as British nationals (overseas), British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens, British protected persons or British subjects are different.
History Visa requirements for British citizens were lifted by many European nations in the few years after World War II. The first changes occurred in 1947. These were removed by France on 1 January 1947.
This was then quickly followed by Belgium on 15 February 1947, Luxembourg 15 February 1947, Norway on 1 March 1947, Denmark on 22 March 1947, Sweden on 1 April 1947, Netherlands on 15 April 1947, Switzerland on 24 June 1947 Liechtenstein on 24 June 1947 and Iceland on 1 July 1947.
The requirement was lifted by Italy on 1 January 1948, Monaco (8 November 1948), Austria (15 May 1955),Austria abolished the visa requirement for British citizens on 1 August 1927 but this was reversed after the Anschluss in 1938.Resolution of the Ministry on Internal Affairs of 28 July 1955, concerning the abolition of visas for citizens of the United States of America, the French Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (in German) Paraguay (27 November 1966), United States (1 July 1988), Poland (1 July 1992), Bulgaria (March 1997), Romania (1 January 2001), Serbia and Montenegro (31 May 2003), Ukraine (1 May 2005), Georgia (1 June 2006), Moldova (1 January 2007),Law No. 151-XVI on 8 June 2006 "On the abolition of visa regime for citizens of member States of the European Union, the United States Of America, Canada, Swiss Confederation, Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Iceland and Japan" (in Russian) Kyrgyzstan (27 July 2012),Law of the Kyrgyz Republic On visa-free regime for citizens of some States within 60 days (in Russian) Armenia (10 January 2013), Kazakhstan (15 July 2014),Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 21 January 2012 No. 148 (in Russian) Indonesia (13 June 2015), Vietnam (1 July 2015)Under Resolution No. 46/NQ-CP Belarus (12 February 2017), Cape Verde (1 January 2019), Uzbekistan (1 February 2019), Turkey (2 March 2020) and Oman (December 2020).
Electronic visas for British citizens were introduced: India (15 August 2015), Djibouti (18 February 2018), Malawi (October 2019) and Mongolia (November 2021). In April 2021, India announced that it would stop issuing electronic visas for British citizens from August 2021, however this was reinstated in December 2022.
Honduras cancelled a visa-free regime for British citizens as a reciprocal measure in August 2024. Similarly, Namibia will introduce visas for British citizens for reciprocity reasons, starting April 2025.
Visa requirements map
Visa requirements The tables below document the visa requirements for UK citizens:
Country / Region Visa requirement Allowed stay Notes (excluding departure fees) 30 days e-Visa : Visitors must arrive at Kabul International (KBL). Due to safety concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Afghanistan. 90 days 30 days 6 months 90 days 180 days Visa upon arrival for a maximum term of 180 days in a year. 90 days If granted, eVisitor allows British citizens to stay in Australia for 90 days per visit. Multiple entry allowed during the eVisitor visa 12 months period. Issued free of charge and valid for 1 year. According to HPI (Henley Passport Index) methodology pre-departure government approval, like eVisitor manual processing is not considered as visa free. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 30 days 8 months Extendable up to 8 months. 14 days Visas can be issued on arrival for a stay up to 3 months. 30 days Visa on arrival available at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport 6 months 30 days Visa free until 31st December 2026. Due to safety concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Belarus. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 30 days 90 days 90 days As of 2025, be aware you may be given an initial 30 days stamp (on arrival) and can extend it for another 60 days. The Department of Immigration has imposed an annual limit for tourists of 90 days without a visa. For longer periods you must seek advice before travelling from the Bolivian Embassy in London. 90 days 90 days within any 6-month period. 90 days 90 days As of 2025, UK passport holders are exempt from VIVIS as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days per year (counted from the date of first entry, multiple entries permitted). Extension of stay: the stay may be extended for up to the same amount of time granted upon first entry (i.e. up to 90, 60 or 30 days). 90 days 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 1 month From December 2021, passengers of all countries that required visa, can now obtain visa on arrival at Bujumbura International Airport, and all land borders. 30 days Extendable for another 30 days. Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival. 6 months Electronic Travel Authorization required if arriving by air. 30 days Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Central African Republic. 90 days May be extended. 30 days 30-day visa-free stay if arriving by December 31, 2026. 30-day visa-free stay in Hainan Island, if arriving on the island directly from outside Mainland China such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or any country with direct flights to the island.
Visiting visas issued to British citizens are generally valid for 2 years. 90 days 45 days 7 days 180 days As of 2025, British passport holders can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver. The exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival. If they plan to work, or stay for a longer period, the visitor must consult the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK. 3 months e-Visa holders must arrive via Port Bouet Airport. 90 days 90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area. 90 days As of July 2025, an evisa is needed (online) for single entry 90 day period. Visa is extendable. 90 days 90 days within 180-day period. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 90 days 6 months 30 days Will normally be granted a 30-day stay on arrival. This can be extended up to 120 days by an extension online. 90 days As of 2025, can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 12-month period. If British passport holders are already in Ecuador and want to stay longer than 90 days, they pay to extend their stay by an extra 90 days. They must apply for an extension before the first 90-day period ends. 30 days 6 months Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 30 days 90 days 4 months 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 90 days e-Visa holders must arrive via Libreville International Airport. 90 days 1 year 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 6 months Beginning on 1 December 2020, all travellers to Grenada will be required to complete an online application in order to receive a Pure Safe Travel Authorization Certificate to enter Grenada. 90 days 90 days 90 days 90 days Due to security concerns, the UK government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Haiti. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 30 days 30 days, 1 year and 5 years of eTourist visa is now available from Indian eVisa. However this service is not available for British citizens of Pakistani origin (i.e. someone with at least 1 Pakistani parent or grandparent). 30 days The (Visa on Arrival) costs 500,000 Indonesian rupiah (£25), payable in cash or by card. It is valid for single entry only. You must meet passport validity requirements and have a return or onward ticket. Visas prior to arrival are available online. British citizens must have their visa stamped in their passport in advance of arrival in Iran. Due to security concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Iran. 30 days British citizens are no longer able to get a visit visa on arrival in Iraq. They must apply for a visa on the e-visa portal of the Government of Iraq at least 24 hours before you travel. The visa costs 160 USD and is valid for 30 days. Freedom of movement (Common Travel Area). British citizens have many of the same rights and entitlements as Irish citizens 90 days Entry refused to anyone who "knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel." 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 180 days 90 days Visitors can travel to Japan for tourism or business for up to 90 days. A visa is given on arrival, and you do not need to apply before you travel. The Japan immigration authorities may extend your visa by another 90 days at their discretion. You will need to apply for an extension. Visa can be obtained upon arrival, it will cost a total of 40 JOD, obtainable at most international ports of entry and land border crossings (except King Hussein/Allenby Bridge) 30 days 90 days Visitors can also be entered on an East Africa tourist visa issued by Rwanda or Uganda. 90 days 90 days K-ETA exemption until the end of 2026. British citizens can enter South Korea as a short term visit (e.g., tours, visiting relatives or friends, attending simple meetings) up to 90 days without a visa, though they should remain aware of the quarantine requirements. An onward or return ticket is mandatory. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.