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United Kingdom

🇬🇧United Kingdom Visa 2026: Entry Requirements

Europe· Updated 10/10/2026

Do you need a visa for United Kingdom?

It depends on your passport. Out of 197 nationalities documented by IziVisas, 1 enter United Kingdom visa-free, 83 obtain an e-visa or a visa on arrival and 113 must apply at a consulate before travelling.

Visa-free

1

nationalities

E-visa

83

nationalities

Consular visa

113

nationalities

Check the rule for your nationality

Pick your passport for the exact 2026 rule: fee, processing time, allowed stay and documents.

Transit visa for United Kingdom

Visa for airport or land transit.

Stay:
48 hours
Fee:
74.5 GBP

Data updated on · Official source

Rules by nationality cross-checked against the official list (gov.uk), read on .

Pick your nationality to see the rule

Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal

Apply for your United Kingdom visa via iVisa

Depending on your nationality, you may be able to apply online. Check your passport's entry rules first.

  • Online filing for nationalities eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival
  • Online application tracking
  • Paid service, on top of official fees
Official fees from €23Apply via iVisa

Partner link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The visa verdict above does not depend on this partner.

United Kingdom visa requirements by nationality

The entry regime United Kingdom applies to the passports most often checked on IziVisas. Open a row for the fee, the processing time, the documents and the allowed stay of that exact route.

All nationalities

United Kingdom visa types, fees and processing times

Every visa category United Kingdom publishes, with the official fee, the allowed stay and the processing time when the source states them. Eligibility depends on your nationality: open your route for the rule that applies to your passport.

United Kingdom visa types published by IziVisas, 2026. Data updated on . Government fees only. Application centres and agencies charge their own service fee on top.
VisaCategoryAllowed stayOfficial feeProcessing timeOfficial source
Short-stay (tourism)Short stay135 GBP3 weeksPortal
UK ETAShort stay2 years (6 months per stay)20 GBP3 business daysPortal
Global Talent visaWork5 years766 GBP3 weeksPortal
Scale-up Worker visaWork2 years937 GBP3 weeksPortal
Graduate visaWork2 years937 GBP8 weeksPortal
Skilled Worker visaWork5 years819 GBP3 weeksPortal
Health and Care Worker visaWork5 years324 GBP3 weeksPortal
Seasonal Worker visaWork6 months340 GBP3 weeksPortal
Student visaStudy5 years558 GBP3 weeksPortal
Child Student visaStudy6 years558 GBP3 weeksPortal
Marriage Visitor visaFamily6 months135 GBP3 weeksPortal
UK family visaFamily2.5 years2,064 GBP12 weeksPortal
Youth Mobility Scheme visaWorking holiday2 years340 GBP3 weeksPortal
Innovator Founder visaInvestor3 years1,357 GBP3 weeksPortal
Visitor in Transit visaTransit48 hours74.5 GBP3 weeksPortal

Visas

Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)

Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.

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See activities

Information

Capital

London

Population

68,497,000

Currency

Pound sterling (GBP £)

Languages

English

Continent

Europe

Calling code

+44

Timezone

Europe/London

Area

243,610 km²

Government

Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy

National day

6 February - Accession Day

Internet domain

.uk

About

The United Kingdom is a sovereign country in North-Western Europe, comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is renowned for its imperial history, constitutional monarchy, and global influence in finance and culture. The economy faces subdued growth in 2026 per the Bank of England.

Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)

Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

See SafetyWing coverage

Safety

Risk level:Overall safety level low to moderate for tourists, with ongoing urban crime and terrorist threats.

Risk areas

London (certain areas) - Pickpockets and theftsNorthern Ireland (borders) - Residual tensions

Crime(Medium)

  • Avoid wearing visible valuables
  • Stay vigilant in tourist areas

Terrorism(Medium)

  • Follow FCDO alerts, avoid crowds during major events

Transport

  • Use official taxi apps, validate tickets

Natural risks(Low, occasional flooding)

  • Check weather alerts in winter

Health(Excellent healthcare system (Free NHS for residents))

  • Travel insurance recommended, standard vaccines up to date

Practical tips

  • Register with the Ariane Consular Register (for French)
  • Download the FCDO TravelSmart app
  • Carry valid identification

Accommodation (Hotels.com)

Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Compare places to stay

Cost of living

Accommodation

Studio in the city centre$1,950 – $2,600
1-bedroom apartment in the city centre$2,600 – $3,300
1-bedroom apartment outside the centre$1,900 – $2,500
3-bedroom apartment in the city centre$5,300 – $7,500
3-bedroom apartment outside the centre$3,400 – $4,600

Food

Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$25
Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant$115
McDonald’s meal or equivalent$12
Local beer (0.5 L, in a bar)$8.50
Cappuccino$4.80
Bottled water (1.5 L)$1.15
Bread (500 g)$1.80
Milk (1 L)$1.10
Eggs (12)$4.40
Chicken fillets (1 kg)$12
Apples (1 kg)$3
Bananas (1 kg)$1.35

Transport

Public transport, one way$3.50
Monthly transport pass$240
Taxi, starting fare$5.10
Taxi, per km$3.50
Petrol (1 L)$1.84

Leisure

Gym (monthly membership)$60
Tennis court (1 h at the weekend)$18
Cinema ticket$20
Theatre ticket$110

Health

GP consultation$120
Dentist consultation$85
Antibiotics (one pack)$13
Cold medicine (6 days)$9

Others

Home internet (60 Mbps or more, monthly)$40
Mobile plan (calls + 10 GB, monthly)$12
Utilities for an 85 m² home (monthly)$270
Levi’s 501 jeans or similar$100
Nike sports shoes$107
International primary school (monthly)$4,400

Indicative prices in USD in London · estimated in October 2026

eSIM data (Saily)

Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Choose an eSIM

Practical information

Electricity

Voltage230V
Frequency50Hz
Plug typesType G

Emergency numbers

Police999
Ambulance999
Fire department999

Practical information

Driving side

Left

Tap water

safe

Tipping

10-15% in restaurants if not included

Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)

Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

See activities

Photos

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Boys In Bristol SmokZ

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Sonny Vermeer

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Sam J

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Petra Nesti

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

David Roberts

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Kyle Miller

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Darren Mitchell

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Gonzalo Facello

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Boys in Bristol Photography

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

DINOE XU

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

T6 Adventures

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Lorna Pauli

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

naveen munugoti

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Lewis Ashton

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Baptiste

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Yohantha Gunawarna

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Yohantha Gunawarna

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Davidson Videography

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Valentine Kulikov

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Clément Proust

Plan your trip

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Guides to prepare your trip

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a visa to travel to United Kingdom?▾

It depends on your passport. IziVisas documents the entry regime for United Kingdom across 197 nationalities: 1 visa-free, 83 with an e-visa, 113 with a consular visa. Pick yours for the exact rule, with documents, fees and processing times.

Check by my nationality →
How much does a United Kingdom visa cost?▾

Fees vary by visa type and nationality. The lowest published official fee is 135 GBP (Short-stay (tourism)). These are government fees only, providers and visa application centres add their own service charge.

Do you need a transit visa for United Kingdom?▾

United Kingdom issues a transit visa for travellers connecting or crossing the country without staying, valid 48 hours. Conditions depend on your nationality, the length of the layover and whether you leave the airport's international zone.

Is it dangerous to travel to United Kingdom?▾

The overall risk level is currently rated "Overall safety level low to moderate for tourists, with ongoing urban crime and terrorist threats.". See the Safety tab on this page for details by topic (crime, transport, health, areas to avoid) and practical tips.

What currency is used in United Kingdom?▾

The official currency is Pound sterling (GBP £). See sample prices (accommodation, meals, transport) in the cost of living section above.

What is the capital of United Kingdom?▾

The capital of United Kingdom is London. The main spoken languages are: English.

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