The UK offers foreign travellers a range of different visas that are suitable for a variety of purposes. These are available to international visitors who meet specific requirements and have different durations.
At the moment, all nationalities except visitors from Australia, the United States and/or Japan, must hold a valid visa or visa waiver before entering the UK.
EU passport holders can also travel to the UK without a visa for the time being. However, as a result of Brexit, it is expected that the visa waiver will be implemented when the withdrawal transition between Britain and the EU ends in 2021.
Most UK visas for purposes such as tourism, work, study and medical treatment must be applied for and acquired at a consulate or embassy.
However, the government has indicated its intention to introduce a new UK Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) visa waiver for visa-free citizens. This will be quickly and easily obtainable online and is expected to ensure that holders have the option of short journeys around the UK.
This page explains the different types of visas that travellers can obtain to enter the UK. It provides applicants with a list of available UK visas and guidelines on what types of stay are allowed by each available travel authorization.
UK Visas Online
There are a few situations where eligible foreign nationals can obtain a UK visa online. This is for short trips only, and applicants must apply for approval a few days before traveling to Britain. There are 2 different types of online visas available to visitors depending on the nationality of the applicant.
UK Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
The UK government is planning to launch a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA UK). This document can be requested online and will allow travellers to visit the UK for as long as it is valid and for several short trips.
Details are still being worked out on the precise requirements of the new eTA. However, it is expected that it will be necessary for visa-free citizens and citizens of the European Economic Community to acquire one before arriving in the UK.
The countries currently in the EEC are:
The United Kingdom offers citizens of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW UK) to travel to the United Kingdom. The EVW is a single-use travel authorization that allows passengers to stay in the UK for up to 180 days for travel purposes such as business and tourism.
Traveling with a UK Tourist Visa
The easiest way to visit the UK is with an eTA, which will be available to different nationalities. For all other tourists in the UK, you can get a British Standard Travel Visa at an embassy or consulate.
A standard tourist visa is available to travelers entering the UK for the following reasons:
The Standard Visitor Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization can also be used for business travel and tourism. It is also expected that it will be possible for travellers to stay in the UK for some medical procedures and short-term study reasons. However, you cannot use any of these travel documents to perform activities such as full-time work or long-term stay.
Traveling to the UK on a Work Visa
Currently, the UK uses a points system to access work visa applications for foreign nationals.
The type of visa UK foreigners are eligible for depends on a number of factors such as:
Following the assessment of applicants by the UK authorities, a number of possible types of UK visas can be issued .
Work visas are granted to meet the following cases:
Visas to study in the UK
Every year around 500,000 students from abroad travel to the UK to attend a place of study at one of its many universities. The country boasts a world-renowned reputation for its quality of education and academic facilities.
Most prospective overseas students need a valid Tier 4 study visa to gain access to education in the UK. However, visitors with a valid eTA can also study in the UK for up to 3 months.
In all other cases, students travelling to Great Britain will need one of the following authorisations: