The UK passport ranks among the world’s most powerful, giving holders visa-free access to 186 countries and territories, and currently ranks 36th globally. This guide outlines where you can travel without a visa, which countries may require additional steps, and what documents you may need.
Here’s how to Apply for Citizenship and Get a Uk Passport
Countries You Can Visit With a UK Passport (No Visa!)
UK passport holders can travel to a wide range of countries without requiring a visa. Here are some of the countries and territories that you can visit without a visa:
- Albania
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- China
- 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
- Georgia
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Oman
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Réunion
- Romania
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Countries the UK Passport Allows Entry With Just an ID Card
In addition to the countries where no visa is required, UK citizens can also enter these countries with just their national ID card:
Ireland:
As part of the Common Travel Area agreement, UK citizens do not need a passport for entry.
European Union (EU) and Schengen Area countries:
Here is the list in bullet style:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mayotte
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Réunion
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Simplified Entry Options: Visa on Arrival & Electronic Visa
In addition to visa-free travel, UK passport holders can benefit from simplified entry options such as visa on arrival and electronic visas (eVisas). While these aren’t technically “visa-free,” they require minimal effort and no embassy visits.
Visa on Arrival
For these countries, UK citizens can obtain a visa upon arrival at the border:
Asia:
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Tajikistan
Oceania:
- Palau
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
Africa:
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Sierra Leone
- Saint Helena
- Tanzania
- Zimbabwe
Electronic Visa (eVisa)
For these countries, you can apply for an electronic visa online before your trip:
Asia:
- Azerbaijan
- Bhutan
- India
- Iraq
- Myanmar
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria,
- Tajikistan.
Africa:
- Benin,
- Burkina Faso,
- Cameroon,
- Democratic Republic of the Congo,
- Ivory Coast,
- Cuba,
- Djibouti,
- Equatorial Guinea,
- Gabon,
- Guinea,
- Mauritania,
- Nigeria,
- Papua New Guinea,
- Russia,
- Somalia,
- South Sudan,
- Togo,
- Uganda.
Countries That Require a Visa for UK Citizens
Despite the strength of the UK passport, some countries still require a visa for entry. These include:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Central African Republic
- Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ghana
- Liberia
- Mali
- Nauru
- North Korea
- Sudan
- Turkmenistan
- Yemen
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents should I carry when traveling without a visa?
When traveling visa-free, you’ll generally need a valid passport (at least six months’ validity and two blank pages). Depending on where you’re going, you may also need:
- Travel insurance
- Proof of accommodation (such as hotel reservations)
- Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements)
How does a visa on arrival work?
A visa on arrival allows you to apply for a visa when you arrive at your destination. Before traveling, check what documents you’ll need (such as hotel reservations, return tickets, and bank statements), and ensure that your point of entry processes visa-on-arrival applications.
How can I apply for an electronic visa?
You can apply for an electronic visa online through an official portal. Generally, you’ll need to submit digital copies of required documents such as your passport, flight details, and financial statements.
How can I apply for an embassy visa?
For an embassy visa, contact the embassy of the country you intend to visit. You’ll need to schedule an appointment, provide necessary documents, and submit your passport for processing.
Do UK citizens need travel insurance for visa-free countries?
Travel insurance is generally not required for visa-free countries, but it’s strongly recommended. Always check the entry requirements for the specific country you’re visiting.
How long can I stay in a visa-free country with a UK passport?
The duration of stay varies by country but typically ranges between 30 to 90 days. Always verify specific entry rules for your destination.
Can UK citizens work or study in visa-free countries?
UK citizens may enroll in short courses without a visa but cannot work or pursue long-term studies without the appropriate visa.
What should I do if I overstay my visa-free period?
Overstaying can result in fines, penalties, or even an entry ban. Always ensure you leave before your permitted stay expires.
Can I extend my stay in a visa-free country?
Typically, you cannot extend your visa-free stay. If you need to remain longer, you must apply for a visa.
Can border authorities still deny me entry even if I don’t need a visa?
Yes, if you don’t meet all entry requirements (e.g., sufficient funds or necessary documents), border authorities can deny you entry.
Are visa requirements the same for UK permanent residents or dual citizens?
Visa requirements are based on your passport nationality. Dual citizens should use their UK passport for travel to enjoy the benefits listed here.