UK citizens are entitled to enter certain countries without requiring a visa, but there are some destinations that require special documents and permits. Before you head overseas, check which countries require a visa for UK citizens. Starting early will ensure that your trip is trouble-free. Learn more by reading the following article!
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1. How many countries where British don’t need visa?
The United Kingdom passport ranks 5th in the world; it offers visa-free access to 189 countries. Please note, the list of visa-free countries is calculated to reflect the number of countries United Kingdom passport holders can enter without a visa, through a VOA, and through the eTA.

UK citizens can travel without a visa in many countries all over the world in a certain time
Visa-free countries for British citizens are usually those in the mutual travel area, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and UK Dependent Territories such as Jersey’s Bailiwick, Guernsey’s Bailiwick, Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland.

Visa-free countries for British citizens are usually those that belong to the European Union
Details about countries where British don’t need visa as well as the exemption time applied to each country will be provided through the tables below:
1- Europe
Country | Exemption time |
Albania | 90 days |
Andorra | 90 days |
Austria | 90 days |
Belarus | 30 days |
Belgium | 90 days |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 90 days |
Bulgaria | 90 days |
Croatia | 90 days |
Cyprus | 90 days |
Czech Republic | 90 days |
Denmark | 90 days |
Estonia | 90 days |
Finland | 90 days |
France | 90 days |
Germany | 90 days |
Greece | 90 days |
Hungary | 90 days |
Iceland | 90 days |
Ireland | 180 days |
Italy | 90 days |
Kosovo | 90 days |
Latvia | 90 days |
Liechtenstein | 90 days |
Lithuania | 90 days |
Luxembourg | 90 days |
Malta | 90 days |
Moldova | 90 days |
Monaco | 90 days |
Montenegro | 90 days |
Netherlands | 90 days |
North Macedonia | 90 days |
Norway | 90 days |
Poland | 90 days |
Portugal | 90 days |
Romania | 90 days |
San Marino | 90 days |
Serbia | 90 days |
Slovakia | 90 days |
Slovenia | 90 days |
Spain | 90 days |
Sweden | 90 days |
Switzerland | 90 days |
Ukraine | 90 days |
Vatican City | 90 days |
2 – Americas
Country | Exemption time |
Antigua and Barbuda | 180 days |
Argentina | 90 days |
Bahamas | 240 days |
Barbados | 180 days |
Belize | 30 days |
Bolivia | 90 days |
Brazil | 90 days |
Chile | 90 days |
Colombia | 90 days |
Costa Rica | 90 days |
Dominica | 180 days |
Dominican Republic | 30 days |
Ecuador | 90 days |
El Salvador | 90 days |
Grenada | 90 days |
Guatemala | 90 days |
Guyana | 90 days |
Haiti | 90 days |
Honduras | 90 days |
Jamaica | 90 days |
Mexico | 180 days |
Nicaragua | 90 days |
Panama | 90 days |
Paraguay | 90 days |
Peru | 180 days |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 180 days |
Saint Lucia | 42 days |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 30 days |
Trinidad and Tobago | 90 days |
Uruguay | 90 days |
Ukraine | 90 days |
Venezuela | 90 days |
3 – Oceania
Country | Exemption time |
Fiji | 120 days |
Kiribati | 120 days |
Marshall Islands | |
Micronesia | 30 days |
Vanuatu | 30 days |
4 – Asia
Country | Exemption time |
Armenia | 180 days |
Brunei | 90 days |
Georgia | 360 days |
Hong Kong | 180 days |
Indonesia | |
Israel | 90 days |
Japan | |
Kazakhstan | 30 days |
Kyrgyzstan | 60 days |
Macao | |
Malaysia | 90 days |
Palestinian Territories | 90 days |
Philippines | 30 days |
Qatar | 30 days |
Singapore | 90 days |
South Korea | 90 days |
Taiwan | |
Thailand | 30 days |
Turkey | 90 days |
Uzbekistan | 30 days |
Vietnam | 15 days |
5 – Africa
Country | Exemption time |
Botswana | 90 days |
Cape Verde | 30 days |
Eswatini | 30 days |
Gambia | 90 days |
Lesotho | 14 days |
Mauritius | 90 days |
Morocco | 90 days |
Namibia | 90 days |
Sao Tome and Principe | 15 days |
Senegal | 90 days |
South Africa | 90 days |
Tunisia | 90 days |
Zambia | 90 days |
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2. What places do not require a passport for UK citizens?
Some countries do not require a passport for UK citizens, which means that UK citizens can enter other countries without needing a passport to be approved. UK travellers just need an ID card on hand for acceptance. The countries mentioned above are:
- Mayotte
- Gather
3. Which countries provide UK citizens with an eVisa?
E-visa, also known as an online visa, is another type of visa developed to save time for travellers and simplify bureaucratic procedures. UK citizens can apply for visas online to the countries they want to visit if they meet the requirements through the e-visa system. The following 8 countries issue e-visas to UK passport holders:
- Angola
- Azerbaijan
- Benin
- Djibouti
- India
- Kenya
- Myanmar
- Suriname

British citizens can apply for e-visa because some countries have operated visa online system
Applying for an e-visa is the same as applying for a traditional visa. However, in this case, you don’t need to go to a visa application centre, you can apply online, even paying. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email confirming your visa status and a document you must print out and bring with you when crossing the border. Your visa will be registered online, but some officers may ask you to provide a physical copy of the permit. That’s why keeping a copy with you when you travel is essential.
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4. Which countries require UK citizens to quarantine on arrival?
Visa on arrival (VOA) allows you to obtain a visa after you land at the destination rather than getting your visa before your trip. There will be a separate section at the airport where you can submit your application for your VOA. Many people may choose to get a VOA instead of getting one ahead of time because they don’t have enough time, or maybe they forget to obtain a visa. If you are a UK citizen and are in some cases above, you can apply for a visa on arrival in the 39 countries listed below:
Bahrain
Bangladesh Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Comoros Egypt Ethiopia Gabon Guinea-Bissau Jordan Kuwait Laos |
Lebanon
Madagascar Malawi Maldives Mauritania Mozambican Nepal Palau Papua New Guinea Rwanda Samoa Saudi Arabia Seychelles |
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands Somalia Saint Helena Tajikistan Tanzania Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Tuvalu Uganda United Arab Emirates Zimbabwe |

Visa on arrival will be the best one if you don’t have much time to get a visa before the trip
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5. What documents are required for UK citizens applying for visas?
UK citizens wishing to visit countries that require them to apply for a visa first need to submit several documents. The document requirements may differ depending on the country you want to visit. However, most countries will undoubtedly require the following:

Preparing some important documents to apply for visas
- Your valid UK passport (with a copy). Some countries require your passport to be valid for more than six months after the date you intend to leave their country.
- A completed visa application form.
- Passport photo not older than six months.
- Travel health insurance.
- Proof of visa fees paid.
- Detailed travel itineraries showing all the places you want to visit.
- Invitation letter (if available)
- Proof of return booking for the flight home.
- Proof of booked accommodation.
- Proof that you have enough money to cover your visit
- Civil status documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
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6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about “Which countries require a visa for UK citizens?”
1 – Do British passport holders require a visa to enter Vietnam?
Depending on the time of stay, passport holders’ visa requirements will differ. For trips under 15 days, UK citizens can enter Vietnam without a visa. Upon arrival, the visa requirements state that a British citizen must have a UK passport ready, and their passport must be valid for six months from their arrival date.
For trips longer than 15 days, UK citizens must apply for a Vietnam visa. For many types of visas, UK citizens can apply for a visa on arrival. However, they must first apply for a visa on arrival online to ensure a smooth entry to Vietnam.
2 – Do British citizens require a visa to enter the USA?
No, British citizens do not need a visa to visit the US, but they do need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they want to enter the country.
3 – Do British citizens need a visa to enter Turkey?
No, British citizens can visit Turkey with just their passport without a visa.
4 – Do British passport holders require a visa to enter Europe?
No, British passport holders can visit most European countries without a visa.
The above article compiles all about which countries requiring a visa for UK citizens. There are many countries where British travellers can enter without a visa or passport. On the other hand, they can quickly get an e-visa or visa on arrival in some countries. Regardless of which type of visa you wish to apply for, you must prepare the necessary documents for visa processing. Hopefully, with that information, you will have a helpful understanding of the visa policy of each country. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us for timely support.
Wolo International Travel Service and Commercial Investment Joint Stock Company:
- Headquarter: 2nd floor – No 02, Alley 232, Yen Hoa street, Cau Giay district, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Website: https://vietnamvisatourist.com
- Hotline: (+84) 918 21 2468
- Email: support@vietnamvisatourist.com
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