There are hundreds of different UK visas — some for tourists, some for study, some for work and some for family. In many cases, you will need a visa to come to the UK, even if it’s for a short period of time. Do you need a visa?
People who don’t need a visa
EEA and Switzerland
If you a national of the European Economic Area, you do not need a visa to travel to the UK. The EEA is comprised of all the countries of the UK plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You may live and work in the UK applying for leave to enter or leave to remain. EEA and Swiss nationals do not need a visa, but will receive an “entry certificate” upon entering the UK.
EEA Family Permit
If you are a family member of an EEA national or Swiss national, you do not need a visa to travel to the UK. You will, however, need an EEA family permit.
Non-Visa Nationals
If you are a not a national of a “Visa National” country (see below) than you may not need a visa to visit the UK if your intended period of stay is six months or less. You will, however, need a visa to study or work in the UK. Non-Visa Nationals include nationals of : the United States, Canada, Australia, Chile, Venezuela and Mexico.
People who need a visa
Visa Nationals
If you are a visa national, then you will need a visa to enter the UK no matter the circumstance. Visa Nationals are nationals of the following countries:
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia Herzegovina
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
People’s Republic of China (unless they hold a passport issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or Macao Special Administrative Region)
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea (North)
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon