United Kingdom Visa Requirements
Handled by VisaHQ. Government fees are set by the destination country.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I apply for my United Kingdom e-visa?
Apply as early as you can once your travel dates are set. Processing times can vary, especially around holidays or peak travel seasons, so leaving it until the last few days before your flight is risky — an e-visa that's still pending when you're due to board can mean being denied boarding.
What happens if my United Kingdom e-visa application is rejected?
Rejections do happen, and the reason isn't always given in detail. If yours is rejected, check that every field matched your passport exactly, that your passport has enough remaining validity, and that any required photo or document met the stated format — then reapply or, if time is short, contact United Kingdom's official visa portal or nearest consulate directly rather than guessing.
Can I extend my stay in United Kingdom once I'm there?
Only in limited circumstances, and not simply to keep travelling. You must apply before your current permission expires, and where a fee applies it is £1,172. Normally only to complete 6 months from the date you arrived, where you were granted less. Past 6 months just three groups qualify: private medical treatment (a further 6 months), academics (12 months total), and doctors sitting PLAB or on a clinical attachment. The £1,172 covers the main applicant and any dependants. Non-refundable if refused. Apply online to the Home Office before your current permission expires. Decisions typically take around 8 weeks. A fresh 6-month Standard Visitor visa from outside the UK costs £135 — roughly one-ninth the in-country extension fee. For most visitors, leaving and re-applying is far cheaper than extending.
Is the information on this page guaranteed to be accurate?
We check what we publish against official sources where we can, and clearly flag anything still pending verification. Even so, visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice — so please treat this page as a strong starting point, not a final word, and confirm directly with the official source linked above before you book or fly.
Before you travel — checklist
- Check your passport has enough remaining validity for your trip to United Kingdom — many countries require at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, even for visa-free entry.
- Start your e-visa/authorisation process well before your travel date — don't leave this until the last few days.
- Note this specific requirement for United Kingdom: ETA UK (valid for 2 years when issued) required. Adults can use ePassport gates..
- Check whether United Kingdom requires proof of onward or return travel — some border officers ask for this even when it isn't formally listed as a requirement.
- Consider travel insurance that covers your trip to United Kingdom, particularly if any medical or emergency evacuation coverage is required or advisable for the region.
- This page's details for United Kingdom are still pending full verification — confirm everything directly with an official government source before finalising your plans.
Visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice. This page reflects our best information as of 2026, but if you're reading this later than that, treat it as a starting point rather than the final word, and always confirm with the official source above before you travel.