Visa Free Countries for UK Passport Holders
In 2023, the UK passport is ranked 25th globally, as per the World Passport Index. This passport ranking tells us that there are 153 visa free countries for UK passport holders. But for the other countries, they have to get a visa before they can go there.
Visa Free Countries for UK Passport Holders
As of 2023, United Kingdom passport holders can travel visa free to 153 countries and territories:
- Albania
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cabo Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Curaçao
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French West Indies
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Réunion
- Romania
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Gambia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Türkiye
- United States Virgin Islands
- Ukraine
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Eswatini
These visa free countries for UK passport are exact number of visa free countries, some ranking and passport index websites considering the visa on arrival and evisa countries in the same list.
if you’re traveling without a visa, you still need a valid passport. Normally, it should be valid for about six months after your planned return. Additionally, some countries might ask you to get travel health insurance before you go, as per their rules.
Where Can UK Citizens Go Without a Passport?
UK citizens can enter Ireland without a passport with only an ID card.
What Countries Issue eVisa to UK Citizens?
The following 10 countries issue eVisas for UK passport holders:
- Angola
- Azerbaijan
- Benin
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Guinea
- India
- Kenya
- Myanmar
- Uganda
Getting an eVisa is quite similar to applying for a regular visa, but with a convenient difference. You don’t have to go to a visa application center in person. Instead, you can do everything online, including paying for the visa.
Once your application is accepted, they’ll send you an email confirming your visa approval. They’ll also give you a document to print. Remember to bring this document with you when you’re crossing the border. Even though your visa will be electronically registered, some border officers might want to see a physical copy of it. So, it’s a good idea to keep that printed copy with you while you’re traveling.
What Countries Issue Visa on Arrival to UK Passport Holders?
If you are a UK citizen, you can get a visa on arrival for the 35 countries listed below:
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Guinea-Bissau
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- Saint Helena
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- Zimbabwe
When you get a visa on arrival (VOA), it means you’re given the visa after you arrive in the country that provides this type of visa. Normally, there’s a special area at the airport where you can apply for this visa once you land.
Countries With Visa Requirements for UK Citizens
You need a valid visa to enter the following 28 countries with a UK passport:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bhutan
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Republic of the Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ghana
- Iran
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mali
- Nauru
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkmenistan
- Yemen
How Can People from the UK Apply for a Visa?
Here’s how the visa application process works:
- Book an Appointment: You need to get in touch with a visa application center in the UK and schedule an appointment to submit your visa application. Keep in mind that it might take a few months to secure an appointment with the embassy or consulate.
- Gather Required Documents: To have a successful application, you’ll need to prepare specific documents for your visa. These include your passport, application form, health insurance proof, and more. Some documents might need to be officially verified with an apostille stamp or certified by a foreign office.
- Submit Your Application: Once you have your documents ready, you can submit your application and attend a visa interview if necessary. Sometimes, you might also need to provide your biometric data. If your documents need to be translated as per the embassy’s requirements and stamped with an apostille, do that before submitting your application. After this step, it might take a few weeks for a decision to be made about your visa application.
Remember: If you already have a valid visa that lets you enter multiple countries, you generally don’t need to apply for a new visa.
What Documents Do UK Citizens Need for a Visa Application?
For UK citizens who want to visit countries that require a visa in advance, you’ll need to provide a set of documents. The specific requirements can vary based on the country you’re visiting, but most countries will typically ask for:
- Your valid UK passport (with a photocopy). Some places might need your passport to be valid for more than six months beyond your planned departure date.
- A completed visa application form.
- Recent passport-sized photos (not older than six months).
- Travel health insurance that covers your entire stay.
- Proof of payment for the visa fee.
- Detailed travel itinerary outlining your planned destinations.
- Invitation letter (if it’s applicable).
- Confirmed return flight ticket booking.
- Proof of accommodation arrangements.
- Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your expenses during the visit.
- Civil status documents, like marriage certificates or birth certificates.
Keep in mind that if you have a previous criminal record, your visa application might be declined.
