Visa and immigration information

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What documents will I need?

Planning a visit to Britain but not sure what documents you’ll need? Find out here with our guide to passports, visas and everything else.

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Passports

  • EU, EEA and Swiss nationals

    Some entry requirements changed for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, post Brexit.

    Most travellers from the EU, EEA and Switzerland will require a passport to enter Britain and Northern Ireland. Your passport will need to be valid for your entire stay here. 

    Some, but not all visitors can use an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID to enter Britain and Northern Ireland until at least 31 December 2025. Check gov.uk website for who is eligible.

  • Common Travel Areas

    For those in the Common Travel Areas (known as Britain and Northern Ireland, the rest of Ireland and Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. See here for those different document requirements.

  • The rest of the world

    You must have a valid passport to enter Britain and Northern Ireland, and it should be valid for the whole duration of your stay.

Visas

Most people coming to visit Britain and Northern Ireland will need a visa. To discover whether you need one or not depends on why you’re visiting and your nationality. 

You’ll have to either apply for:

  • A standard Visitor Visa. There is a cost for this, and it must be applied for three months before travel.

  • Be able to visit Britain and Northern Ireland for six months without needing a visa.

You can check which applies to you. 

Most travellers from the EU, EEA and Switzerland won’t require a visa but will still need their passport to enter Britain and Northern Ireland. Your passport will need to be valid for your entire stay.

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