The UK has three situations for short-term visitors: a visa, an ETA or neither. Your nationality decides which. The information in this article comes from the official pages of the UK government (GOV.UK), checked on 24 October 2026.
Three situations
According to GOV.UK, depending on nationality:
- you must get a Standard Visitor visa before travelling;
- you must get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which allows travel without a visa for up to six months;
- or you need neither and can visit for up to six months.
Check your nationality's status with the official "Check if you need a UK visa" tool on GOV.UK.
What a visitor may do
- tourism, visiting family and friends, and transit;
- some business activities, such as attending a meeting or an interview;
- volunteering for up to 30 days with a registered charity;
- short courses of study of up to six months;
- medical treatment.
What a visitor may not do
- paid or unpaid work for a UK company, except specific permitted activities;
- claiming public funds;
- living in the UK long-term through repeated visits.
For marriage or registering a civil partnership, a separate "Marriage Visitor" visa is needed.
Fees and timing
- Standard Visitor visa for up to six months: 135 pounds.
- ETA: 20 pounds. GOV.UK warns that other websites may charge more, and to avoid websites that pretend to be the government.
- A visa cannot be applied for earlier than three months before travel.
- An ETA is needed for each traveller separately, including children and babies.
- An ETA does not guarantee entry.
Holders of a Vanuatu passport
Since 19 July 2023 the UK government has required a visit visa for nationals of Vanuatu. The article "Vanuatu, Schengen and the UK" gives the details.
Holders of two passports
- Travel with the same passport you used to get the visa or ETA.
- If one of your passports does not need a visa, consider that one for travel to the UK.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Decisions on entry rest with UK border officers.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Standard Visitor visa — https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor (checked on 24 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta (checked on 24 October 2026)
- UK government, visa requirement for Ni-Vanuatu nationals (19 July 2023) — https://www.gov.uk/government/news/visa-requirement-for-ni-vanuatu-nationals-visiting-uk (checked on 18 October 2026)