(a) A passport is not required for travel between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. (b) Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
1. EU/EEA nationals (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Swiss nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU/EEA nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU/EEA Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals listed in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Commonwealth countries (except nationals of Bangladesh, Cameroon, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia who do need a visa);
(c) nationals of American Samoa, Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao, East Timor, El Salvador, Federated States of Micronesia, French Guiana, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niue, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten, San Marino, Switzerland, Tahiti and her Islands, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Vatican City (not with service and emergency passports) and Venezuela;
(d) those in transit, provided arriving and departing by air within 24 hours and holding all necessary onward documentation.
Important Note: Direct Airside Transit visas are required by nationals of the following countries, even if not entering the UK or changing airports during transit: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus, Burundi, Cameroon, China (PR), Colombia, Congo (Dem Rep), Congo (Rep), Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia & Montenegro (including documents issued by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo), Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

(a) Entry clearance in the form of a passport sticker is required for all non-visa nationals and British nationals and nationals of non-EEA member states who intend to stay in the UK for more than six months. This must be obtained from a diplomatic mission before travelling. (b) Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay. (c) Applicants in Bangkok (including applicants from Cambodia or Laos) applying for a visa valid for longer than six months must provide with their visa application a certificate confirming they are free from infectious tuberculosis (TB).

It is possible that nationals may be asked to attend an interview in order to process their application.

Direct Airside Transit and Visitors In Transit Visa: £30. Single, Double and Multiple Visit Visa: £50. Longer Term Validity Visit Visa: £85. Handling applications on behalf of Commonwealth countries costs £30.

Direct Airside Transit: 24 hours. In Transit Visa: 48 hours. Single, Double and Multiple Visit Visa: Up to six months. Longer Term Validity Visit Visa: Anything over six months.

Nearest British Consulate (or consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Passport/Visa Information.

(a) Passport valid for entire visit. (b) Passport-size photo (some nationals may require additional photos). (c) Completed application form (some nationals may be required to fill out an additional form). (d) Fee (postal applications must be accompanied by bank draft, postal or money order only). The supplementary documentation required will vary depending on the type of application, but in all cases it is advisable to also provide: (e) Evidence of funds (bank statements or pay slips) and projected food and accommodation expenses whilst in the UK. (f) Letter of invitation (if applicable). (g) Evidence of sponsor’s funds (if applicable). (h) Proof of intention to leave the UK following end of allocated visit.

Enquiries can be made at nearest British Consulate, Embassy or High Commission.

Dependent on nationality of applicant. Applications usually take between one and 10 working days. Applications that are referred to the Home Office may take up to 13 weeks. Nationals should apply with plenty of time but no more than three months in advance of travel.

UK Visas
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH, UK
Tel: (020) 7008 8438.
Website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1330

British Embassy in the USA
3100 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 588 7800.
Website: www.britainusa.com

British Consulate in the USA
845 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel: (212) 745 0200.
Website: www.britainusa.com