If you’re planning a trip, some countries may require a visa for entry. In many circumstances you can stay for a holiday of a couple of weeks without a visa, or if one is required – you can buy it on arrival.
Some destinations however do require you to apply for a travel visa in advance so we’ve partnered with the travel visa agency CIBT to make things easier. Rather than visit every embassy individually and wait in long queues, you can send your passport by registered post to CIBT who will arrange everything for you (including multiple visa for different countries) and return your passport to you with all the visas ready to go.
Visas and entry requirements
Most countries either let UK passport holders visit visa-free for a short holiday, or issue a visa on arrival. Where a visa is needed in advance, it's almost always an e-visa or travel authorisation you can apply for yourself online in a few minutes.
Check the official requirements first
Entry rules change regularly, so always check the official advice for every country you're visiting and any country you transit through.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice — entry requirements by country
- Apply only through the official government website for that country. Unofficial sites charge a large mark-up for the same thing.
Common travel authorisations
These are all applied for online, directly with the destination country:
- USA — ESTA (see our ESTA guide)
- Canada — eTA
- Australia — ETA or eVisitor
- New Zealand — NZeTA
- India, Vietnam, Kenya, Sri Lanka and many others — e-visa
Apply once your flights are booked, and allow more time than the minimum stated. Some approvals are instant, others take several working days.
Your passport
Most destinations require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your return date, with enough blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Damaged passports can be refused at check-in. Renew or replace your passport.
If you're not travelling on a British passport
Requirements differ by nationality, and some combinations of nationality and destination are genuinely complicated. Check the guidance issued by your own government, or contact the relevant embassy directly. If your situation is unusual, get in touch with us and we'll point you in the right direction.
Whose responsibility is it?
It's your responsibility to make sure you hold the correct passport, visas and documentation for your journey, including for transit stops. Airlines will deny boarding without them, and we can't be held liable for entry refused on these grounds.
Need a hand?
If you're unsure what your itinerary requires, speak to your Travel Nation consultant on 01273 917479 or contact us here.
