Visa-exempt nationalities

The two groups: non-visa nationals and visa nationals

The UK sorts short-term visitors by the passport they hold. Non-visa nationals can come to the UK to visit for up to 6 months without applying for a visa first. Visa nationals must apply for and be granted a visit visa before they travel, regardless of how short the trip is.

This is a nationality-based distinction, not a judgement about any individual traveller. The gov.uk visa checker begins by asking, in its words, for "your nationality as shown on your passport or travel document", because that is what determines which route applies to you.

• Non-visa national — can visit for up to 6 months without a visa, but usually needs an ETA before travelling.
• Visa national — must obtain a visa in advance for any visit.
• Neither status guarantees entry: a Border Force officer still decides at the UK border.

Most non-visa visitors now need an ETA

The big recent change is the Electronic Travel Authorisation. Gov.uk states that "most visitors need an ETA or a visa". If you are a non-visa national — for example many travellers from Europe, the USA, Australia and Canada — you will typically need an ETA rather than a visa for a short visit.

An ETA is digital and linked to your passport. According to gov.uk and the Home Office, it costs £20, permits multiple visits of up to 6 months each, and stays valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You apply through the UK ETA app or online by submitting a photo of your passport and your face. A decision usually arrives by email within a day but can take up to 3 working days, and the fee is non-refundable. Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children, and an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.

• Cost: £20 (non-refundable).
• Validity: 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
• Allows multiple visits, each up to 6 months.
• Decision usually within a day, up to 3 working days.
• One ETA per person, including infants and children.

Who does not need an ETA or a visa at all

A smaller group needs neither. Gov.uk confirms that people with a British or Irish passport do not need an ETA, and this includes dual citizens. Irish citizens can continue to enter and live in the UK without a visa.

People who already hold UK immigration status are also exempt from the ETA. If you have permission to live, work or study in the UK — or have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme — gov.uk states you do not need an ETA (and, for settled or pre-settled status, no visa either).

• British and Irish passport holders (including dual citizens).
• People with existing permission to live, work or study in the UK.
• People with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

Since Brexit, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are treated as non-visa nationals for short trips. Gov.uk guidance says they can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips with an ETA instead of a visa. Irish citizens are the exception and do not need one.

For travel documents, these citizens can enter using a valid passport and, in some cases, a valid national identity card, provided the document is valid for the whole of their stay. Identity cards that meet the relevant biometric (ICAO) standard are accepted, and other national ID cards continue to be accepted until the government announces otherwise.

What "visiting" does and does not allow

Whether you enter on an ETA or a visit visa, you come as a visitor, and visitor rules limit what you can do. Gov.uk states visitors can stay for up to 6 months and take part in activities such as meetings, events and conferences, but may not live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.

Visitors also cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, cannot do a work placement or internship, and cannot sell directly to the public or provide goods and services. If your plans go beyond a visit — such as working or studying long-term — you will need a different, specific immigration route rather than relying on visa-free or ETA travel.

How to check your own situation

Because the rules turn on your exact nationality and the reason for your trip, and because country requirements change, the most reliable step is to use the official gov.uk visa checker at gov.uk/check-uk-visa. It asks your nationality and what you plan to do in the UK, then tells you whether you need a visa, need an ETA, or need nothing further.

Treat any country list you see elsewhere as a rough guide only. The checker reflects the current rules for your specific circumstances, which is why we point you to it rather than reproducing a list that could quickly go out of date.