Cross-border travelers usually need to apply for a visa in advance before visiting another country. To make international travel more convenient, some countries have signed an agreement on visa-free journeys which allows individuals to enter without a pre-approved entry permit. According to the Henley Passport Index, the UK passport ranks 3rd in the world with hundreds of visa-free destinations. In this passage, we are going to introduce the benefits of a British passport, UK passport visa-free countries, visa-on-arrival countries, eTA countries, visa-required countries, and other related issues.

Benefits of British Passport

Before heading to learn about the traveling advantages of UK passport holders, let’s see what a British citizen can benefit from a British passport.

● Live and Work in the UK

All foreigners must apply for a visa to live and work in the UK while UK citizens do not. In this case, you don’t need to worry about visa validity, types of work you can apply for, etc.

● Study in the UK

The UK is home to many famous tertiary education institutions, attracting millions of international students around the world who have to spend lots of time dealing with documentation and money to study in this country. However, if you have a UK passport, you don’t need a student visa and might enjoy educational subsidies.

● Travel Freely Around the World

A UK passport is an easy travel pass to 153 countries without visas, 26 countries with visa-on-arrival (VoA), and 10 countries with Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

● Prove British Citizenship

It is an officially certified identification document that can be used to prove residency in the UK and eligibility for citizenship privileges, such as voting.

● Enjoy Public Benefits

UK passport holders are qualified for free healthcare and high-quality schooling. Moreover, extra sponsorship and funding programs are accessible.

Visa-Free Countries for UK Passport Holders 

As of March 2024, UK citizens can travel to the following 153 UK passport visa free countries and territories without visas for short-term stays, such as tourism or friend/family visit. Please note that there might be extra entry requirements although visas are not required, such as a ticket for returning or onward trip, proof of sufficient funds, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, etc. It is suggested to check the official rules before setting out.

CountriesDuration of StayGeneral entry   requirement
Albania90 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Andorra3 monthsPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Angola30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months and   2 blank pages on arrival
Anguilla3 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Antigua and Barbuda90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Argentina3 monthsPassport valid for estimated duration of stay
Armenia180 daysPassport valid for estimated duration of   stay
American Samoa60 daysPassport valid for duration of stay
Aruba3 monthsPassport valid for estimated duration of   stay
Austria90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Australia90 daysPassport valid for duration of stay
Bahamas30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Barbados6 monthsPassport valid for the duration of stay and at least 1 blank page
Belarus30 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Belgium90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Belize30 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Bermuda90 daysPassport valid for estimated duration of   stay
Bolivia90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Bonaire; St. Eustatius   and Saba3 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Bosnia and Herzegovina90 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Botswana90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months and   3 blank pages on arrival
Brazil90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
British Virgin   Islands6 monthsPassport valid for estimated duration of   stay;
Brunei90 daysPassport in good condition and valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Bulgaria90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Canada6 monthsPassport valid for the duration of stay
Cape Verde Islands30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Cayman Islands6 monthsPassport valid for estimated duration of stay;
Chile90 daysPassport valid for estimated duration of   stay;
Colombia90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Cook Islands31 days (extendable)Passport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Costa Rica180 daysPassport valid for at least 1 day after leaving the country
Croatia90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Curacao90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Cyprus90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Czechia90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Denmark90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Dominica6 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Dominican Republic30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Ecuador90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
El Salvador180 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Estonia90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
eSwatini30 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months and   2 blank pages on arrival
Falkland Islands30 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Faroe Islands90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Fiji4 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Finland90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
France90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
French Guiana3 monthsPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
French Polynesia3 monthsPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
French West Indies90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Georgiaone yearPassport valid for the duration of stay
Germany90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Gibraltar90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Greece90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Greenland90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Grenada3 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Guatemala90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months and 2 blank pages on arrival
Guam45 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Guyana30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Haiti90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Honduras30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months and 2 blank pages on arrival
Hong Kong (SAR   China)6 monthsPassport valid for at least 1 month after   the date of leaving Hong Kong
Hungary90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Iceland90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Ireland90 daysPassport not required
Israel3 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Italy90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Jamaica90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay and   at least 2 blank pages
Japan90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Kazakhstan30 daysPassport valid for at least 30 days on arrival
Kenya90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months and 2 blank pages on arrival
Kiribati1 monthPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Kosovo90 daysPassport in good condition and valid for the duration of stay
Kyrgyzstan60 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Latvia90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Lesotho90 daysPassport valid for at least 90 days on arrival
Liechtenstein90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Lithuania90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Luxembourg90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Macao (SAR China)6 monthsPassport valid for at least 90 days on arrival
Madagascar15 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months and 2 blank pages on arrival
Malaysia90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Malta90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Marshall Islands90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Mauritius60 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay and at least 1 blank pages
Mayotte3 monthsPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Mexico180 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Micronesia90 daysPassport valid for at least 120 days on arrival
Moldova90 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Monaco90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Mongolia30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Montenegro90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Montserrat180 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Morocco90 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Mozambique30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Namibia90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Netherlands90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
New Caledonia3 monthsPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
New Zealand6 monthsPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Nicaragua90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Niue30 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
North Macedonia3 monthsPassport valid for at least 90 days on arrival
Northern Mariana   Islands45 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Norway90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Oman14 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Pakistan30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Palestinian Territory3 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Panama3 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Paraguay90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Peru30 days (extendable)Passport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Philippines30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Poland90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Portugal90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Puerto Rico90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Reunion3 monthsPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Romania90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Rwanda30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
San Marino90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Sao Tome and Principe15 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Senegal3 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Serbia90 daysPassport valid for at least 90 days on arrival
Singapore90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Slovakia90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Slovenia90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
South Africa90 daysPassport valid for at least 30 days and 2 blank pages on arrival
South Korea90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Spain90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Sri Lanka30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
St. Kitts and   Nevis6 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
St. Lucia6 weeksPassport valid for the duration of stay
St. Maarten3 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
St. Vincent and   the Grenadines6 monthsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Suriname90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Sweden90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and   valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Switzerland90 daysPassport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months on   arrival
Taiwan (Chinese   Taipei)90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Thailand30 daysPassport in good condition and valid for at least 6 months on arrival
The Gambia28 days (extendable)Passport valid for the duration of stay
Trinidad and Tobago90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Tunisia90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Turkey90 daysPassport valid for at least 150 days and 1 blank pages on arrival
Turks and Caicos   Islands90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Ukraine90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay;Completed an immigration card;Fingerprints submission
United States90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Uruguay90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay;
US Virgin Islands90 daysPassport valid for the duration of stay
Uzbekistan30 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months on arrival
Vanuatu30 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Vatican City90 daysPassport valid for at least 3 months and 2 blank pages on arrival
Venezuela90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival
Vietnam45 daysPassport in good condition, valid for at least 6 months on arrival, and with   2 blank pages
Zambia90 daysPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival   and 2 blank pages

📣Also Read: What Countries Can I Visit Visa Free with UK ILR

Visa on Arrival Countries for UK Passport Holders

Visa on Arrival (VoA) is a visa that you can obtain at the arrival airport of your destination instead of the embassy or consulate in your home country. Requirements are generally the same as those for a regular visa and you might be denied entry. UK citizens can apply for a VoA when traveling to the following 26 countries.

KuwaitLaosLebanonMalawi
MaldivesMauritaniaMyanmarNepal
Palau IslandsQatarSamoaSaudi Arabia
SeychellesSierra LeoneSolomon IslandsSomalia
St. HelenaTajikistanTanzaniaTimor-Leste
TogoTongaTuvaluUnited Arab Emirates
ZimbabweIraq

eTA Countries for UK Passport Holders

eTA, referring to Electronic Travel Authorization, is an entry permit that is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport and used to gather their personal information and travel history. Among all British passport visa free countries, UK citizens should request eTA when entering the 10 countries and territories below.

American SamoaAustraliaCanadaKenya
New ZealandPakistanPuerto RicoSri Lanka
United StatesUS Virgin Islands

📣Read Also: What Is the Difference Between an eTA and an eVisa?

Countries That Require Visa for UK Citizens

The following 35 countries and territories required UK passport holders to apply for a pre-approved visa in an embassy or consulate in the UK. 

AfghanistanCongo (Dem. Rep.)IranRussian Federation
AlgeriaCongo (Rep.)LiberiaSouth Sudan
AzerbaijanCote d’IvoireLibyaSudan
BeninCubaMaliSyria
BhutanEquatorial GuineaNauruTurkmenistan
CameroonEritreaNigerUganda
YemenGhanaNigeriaCentral African Republic
ChadGuineaNorth KoreaGabon
ChinaIndiaPapua New Guinea

Among these visa-required countries, the following ones issued e-visa which can be applied and issued online.

● Azerbaijan

● Benin

● Guinea

● India

● Papua New Guinea

● Uganda

● Gabon

General Visa Requirements for UK Passport

When traveling to visa-required countries, the immigration officers will require a variety of documents to prove your citizenship, identity, traveling purpose, and travel itinerary depending on the visa type you apply for. Let’s see the common documents required for tourist visa applications.

● A passport in good condition, with sufficient remaining validity and blank sheets for visa stamps;

● Air ticket for returning or onward trip;

● Proof of accommodation reservation;

● Proof of sufficient funds to support your expenses during your stay;

● Proof of no criminal record;

● Letter of invitation or proof of employment.

Where Can British Citizens Live and Work Without Visa

British citizens used to reside in most European countries without immigration restrictions. However, many countries terminated the benefits after Brexit. Currently, only five of them are left and listed below.

● Common Travel Area (Jersey, Guernsey, Man, Ireland)

● The Isles (Guernsey, Man)

● Gibraltar

● Paraguay

● Belize

These places were previously under the British Empire. Therefore, UK citizens can live, work, and study without a visa in these places.

FAQ:

Q: Do British passport holders need visas for USA?

A: No, USA is one of the British passport visa free countries for tourism.

Q: Do British passport holders need visa for Canada?

A: No, Canada is one of the countries that are visa free for UK tourists, but an eTA is required.

Q: Do UK citizens need a visa to travel to Europe?

A: No, if they take a 90-day trip for the purpose of traveling, studying, medical treatment, business, and journalism.

Q: Which countries can you travel to with a UK Refugee Travel Document without visa?

A: Armenia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Vatican City. Please check the specific entry requirements before traveling.

Summary

After reading this passage, you must have been clear about UK passport visa free countries. UK passport holders can travel to 153 countries that are visa free for UK citizens, 26 countries that issue visas on arrival to UK citizens, and 35 countries and territories that require pre-approved visas. Whether you are allowed to travel with visas or without visas with a British passport, it is suggested to check the specific entry requirements of your destinations and prepare the required documents in advance.

By Dolores Xiao

I am a content creator and marketer with over 5 years of professional writing experience. I hold a bachelor's degree in communications and have a natural curiosity about technology, as evidenced by my technology blog. As an avid traveler, I draw upon adventures in over 10 countries to inject unique cultural perspectives into my articles and social media campaigns. I thrive on developing engaging content that informs and inspires audiences.