Visa requirements for visiting the United Kingdom

Traveling between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland shows both the shared culture and local flavors of the UK. It was relatively easy to enter and leave the UK in the past. Information on visa requirements for EU citizens has changed as a result of the decision to leave the European Union. It's important to check with your local British embassy before you leave.

What you need to know about visas in the UK

If you want to check if you need a UK visa, you can use the UK government's guide.

For stays of up to six months, visas are not needed. This applies to citizens of the European Economic Area nations, as well as Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and the United States.

If you are a family member of someone from the EU, you can apply for a family permit after the UK leaves the EU. Before the permit expires, you can come and go as you please.

Students will need to apply for a visa if they want to stay in the UK for more than six months. Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Hong Kong, Monégasque, New Zealand, Sammarinese and Icelandic citizens are allowed to work for up to two years if they apply in advance.

The Standard Visitor visa needs to be applied for by tourists from China, India, Nigeria, South Africa and other destinations. It lasts six months and costs £100. A decision is usually made within 3 weeks. Before your visa runs out, you need to apply for an extension. If you want to stay in the UK for more than six months, you should apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born parent may be able to live and work in the UK. If you are a female Commonwealth citizen, you can only get married. Commonwealth citizens with a UK born grandparent can apply for a UK ancestry visa, which will allow them to work in the UK for up to five years. You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK.

You may be required to show proof of onward travel or an outbound departure date if you want to stay in Britain.

The article was published about 17 hours ago.