If you’re planning to visit the UK, either for personal or professional reasons, you will need to check whether you’re required to apply for a visit visa or if you can travel to the UK visa-free. This will ultimately depend on whether or not you are from a country on the ‘UK visa nationals list’.
The UK visa national list is made up of those countries whose citizens have to apply for a visa to visit the UK. Travellers who come under this requirement are called ‘visa nationals’, and they will need a visa to visit the UK, even if this visit is only short-term.
In this guide, we outline the rules relating to the UK visa nationals list and what your status as either a visa national or non-visa national means for your plans to visit the UK.
Section A: What is the UK Visa National List?
The UK visa national list is found under ‘Appendix Visitor: Visa national list’ of the UK’s Immigration Rules. Under the Rules, this list is described as a “list of nationalities requiring entry clearance (a visa) prior to travel to the UK as either a visitor, or for any other purpose for less than 6 months where there is no mandatory entry clearance (visa) requirement”. This means that if you are national of a country that appears on this list, you will need to make an application to the UK Home Office for entry clearance as a visitor in advance of travel to the UK.
Section B: Which Countries are on the UK Visa Nationals List?
The UK visa national list currently comprises over 100 countries from all around the world, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
In addition to those countries expressly set out under the UK visa national list, the rules also require stateless people to apply for entry clearance in advance, as well as those travelling on any document other than a passport (or, where applicable under the rules, a national identity card when seeking entry to the UK through the Channel Tunnel), regardless of whether the document is issued by or is evidence of nationality of a place not on the list.
Nationals or citizens of the following countries or territorial entities are classed as visa nationals and must obtain a visa before coming to the UK as a visitor:
UK Visa Nationals List
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Georgia | Mongolia | Tajikistan |
| Albania | Ghana | Montenegro | Tanzania |
| Algeria | Guinea | Morocco | Thailand |
| Angola | Guinea-Bissau | Mozambique | Timor-Leste |
| Armenia | Haiti | Myanmar (Burma) | Togo |
| Azerbaijan | Honduras | Namibia | Tunisia |
| Bangladesh | India | Nepal | Turkey |
| Belarus | Indonesia | Niger | Turkmenistan |
| Benin | Iran | Nigeria | Uganda |
| Bhutan | Iraq | North Korea | Ukraine |
| Bolivia | Jamaica | North Macedonia | Uzbekistan |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Kazakhstan | Pakistan | Vanuatu |
| Burkina Faso | Kenya | Philippines | Venezuela |
| Burundi | Kosovo | Russia | Vietnam |
| Cambodia | Kyrgyzstan | Rwanda | Yemen |
| Cameroon | Laos | São Tomé and Príncipe | Zambia |
| Cape Verde | Lebanon | Senegal | Zimbabwe |
| Central African Republic | Lesotho | Serbia | Jordan (added September 2024) |
| Chad | Liberia | Sierra Leone | |
| China (People’s Republic of China) | Libya | Somalia | |
| Comoros | Madagascar | South Africa | |
| Congo (Republic of) | Malawi | South Sudan | |
| Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | Mali | Sri Lanka | |
| Cuba | Mauritania | Sudan | |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Moldova | Suriname | |
| Djibouti | Mongolia | Syria | |
| Dominica | Morocco | Taiwan | |
| Dominican Republic | Mozambique | Tajikistan | |
| Ecuador | Myanmar (Burma) | Tanzania | |
| Egypt | Namibia | Thailand | |
| El Salvador | Nepal | Timor-Leste | |
| Equatorial Guinea | Niger | Togo | |
| Eritrea | Nigeria | Tunisia | |
| Eswatini (Swaziland) | North Korea | Turkey | |
| Ethiopia | North Macedonia | Turkmenistan | |
| Fiji | Pakistan | Uganda | |
| Gabon | Philippines | Ukraine | |
| Gambia | Russia | Uzbekistan | |
Section C: Exceptions to the UK Visa Nationals List
Under the rules, as a visa national, you will need to obtain a visa in advance of travel to the UK as a visitor, or for any other purpose for less than 6 months where there is no mandatory visa requirement, unless you meet one of the exceptions. The exceptions under the UK visa national list rules include:
a. Rule VN 2.1: where you are a transit visitor travelling under an emergency travel document issued by, and evidencing the nationality of, any country not listed on the UK national visa list and the purpose of your transit is to travel to the country in which you normally reside.
b. Rule VN 2.2, subject to VN 2.3: the following do not need a visit visa before travelling to the UK as a Visitor, unless VN 2.3. applies: nationals or citizens of China with a Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region passport, Taiwan passport holders with an identification card number, Holy See passport holders, Turkish diplomatic passport holders, South African diplomatic passport holders, Vietnamese diplomatic passport holders, Indonesian diplomatic passport holders, and nationals of Dominica, Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu with bookings made by 15:00 BST on 19 July 2023 for arrival by 16 August 2023.
c. Rule VN 2.3: VN2.2 does not apply to those visiting the UK to marry, form a civil partnership, or stay for more than 6 months.
Section D: UK Entry Requirements for Visa Nationals
Before making an application, check that you need a visa and confirm which type. You can use the ‘Check if you need a UK visa’ online tool at GOV.UK. You will be asked for your nationality, as shown on your passport or other travel document, and what you are coming to the UK to do. You will then be given a short written response based on your answers. If you are unsure, contact our UK immigration experts for advice.
As a visa national, the requisite entry requirements will partly depend on the reason for your trip, for example, for personal or professional reasons. However, in broad terms, you will need to meet the following eligibility requirements when applying for a visit visa:
a. Be genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted under the visitor rules, for example, tourism, visiting friends and family, carrying out a permissible business activity, such as attending meetings or conferences, or undertaking a short course of study
b. Be visiting the UK for a period of no more than 6 months
Have sufficient funds to both support and accommodate yourself for the duration of your stay, or have funding from someone else to support you
c. Be able to pay for either your return or onward journey, or have funding from a third party to pay for this journey
d. Intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay
e. Not intend to live in the UK for extended periods through either frequent or successive visits, and not intend to make the UK your primary home.
There are other types of visit visa for which specific requirements apply for visa nationals, for example:
a. Marriage Visitor visa: if you want to either get married or form a civil partnership in the UK, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership.
Read more about the UK’s Marriage Visitor visa here >>
b. Transit visa: if you want to transit the UK en route to another country outside of the Common Travel Area and will enter the UK for up to 48 hours — unless you can transit visa-free under the special rules for visa nationals transiting the UK land-side without a visa.
Read more about the Transit visa here >>
Section E: How to Apply for a UK Visitor Visa
As a visa national, to apply for a visit visa, you must make an online application and pay the relevant fee.
Provided you do need a visa to visit the UK, and having submitted your online application, you may need to attend an overseas visa application centre to provide a scan of your fingerprints and a photograph of your face. This is known as your biometric information.
You will also need to submit a number of documents, including a valid passport or travel document, together with documentation to show that you meet the eligibility requirements. This can include evidence of where you will be staying in the UK and any travel itinerary, together with proof of earnings or savings to show that you can support yourself, and evidence of any personal, professional and economic ties to your country of residence.
When applying for a standard visit visa, this will usually be for a period of just 6 months. However, you can apply for a visa with a longer validity period of either 2, 5 or 10 years — to cover any additional trips to the UK — although each stay in the UK must not exceed the maximum permitted length of stay for a visit visa, which is typically six months.
Read our full guide to the Standard Visitor visa application process here >>
Section F: Non-Visa National UK Travel Requirements
A non-visa national is someone who does not usually need a visa to visit the UK, provided their trip is for no more than 6 months and the purpose for the trip falls within any of the activities permissible under the visitor rules. They are able to travel to the UK as a visitor without needing to secure a visa. However, this system is in the process of being digitised, with the phased introduction of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
The ETA requires certain visitors from certain countries, including some non-visa nationals, to apply for pre-authorisation to travel to the UK through an online application system. The application costs £10 per traveller and permission is valid for two years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever is soonest.
The ETA already applies to nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. More countries are being expected to the ETA scheme in phases.
Unless and until your country is included on the ETA list, non-visa nationals who are visiting the UK for a holiday, or to visit friends and family, do not need to apply for a visa in advance of travel, but instead seek entry clearance on arrival in the UK at a port of entry.
Where the ETA does not apply, when seeking entry clearance as a non-visa national, for example, at an airport or seaport, you will still need to explain to Border Force officers the reason for your visit and how long you are looking to stay in the UK. You may also be asked to provide documentation to prove, among other things, the reason for your stay. If immigration officials are not satisfied with the reasons given by you for the purpose of your stay, or if they suspect that you may be living in the UK through frequent or successive visits, they may refuse you entry.
If you have a criminal record or have previously been refused entry into the UK, you may want to apply for a visit visa prior to travelling to the UK. However, even if you apply for entry clearance in advance of your arrival in the UK, the grant of a visa does not guarantee entry. This is because immigration officials are still likely to seek to establish whether your purpose for travelling to the UK is different to that for which permission was granted by the Home Office, and whether there has been any subsequent change in your circumstances.
If you are looking to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, or the purpose of your trip requires prior entry clearance, for example, to undertake paid employment, you will have to apply for a visa in advance under the appropriate immigration route. Again, the grant of a visa will not necessarily guarantee you entry to the UK, where a visa will only entitle you to travel to a UK port of entry to seek admission. It is therefore always advisable to travel with sufficient documentation to be able to prove your reason(s) for coming to the UK, and that you meet all of the other eligibility requirements under the route in question.
Section G: UK Visa Nationals List FAQs
What countries are visa nationals?
Visa nationals include anyone from a country listed on the UK visa national list under the Appendix Visitor of the UK’s Immigration Rules. This is a list of over 100 countries in alphabetical order, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
What’s a non visa national?
A non visa national is someone who doesn’t usually need a visa to visit the UK, provided their visit is for less than 6 months and the purpose of that visit falls within the activities permissible under the visitor rules, and that their country of nationality is not included on the list of visa nationals.
What countries need a visa to enter the UK?
The UK visa national list under Appendix Visitor of the UK’s Immigration Rules provides a list of over 100 visa national countries, where visa nationals will usually need to apply for a visa in advance to enter the UK.
What is the visa nationals list?
The visa nationals list is a list of countries whose nationals must obtain a visa before entering the UK for any purpose, including tourism, business, study, or family visits. This list is maintained by the UK government and is regularly updated to reflect changes in immigration policy.
Why are some countries included on the visa nationals list?
Countries are included on the visa nationals list based on various criteria, including security concerns, historical immigration patterns, and diplomatic relations. The aim is to ensure that individuals from certain countries meet specific entry requirements before arriving in the UK, thereby maintaining border security and managing immigration effectively.
How can I find out if my country is on the visa nationals list?
You can check if your country is on the visa nationals list by visiting the official UK government website. The list is published in the Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa National List, which provides detailed information on which nationals need a visa to enter the UK.
What should I do if my country is on the visa nationals list and I want to visit the UK?
If your country is on the visa nationals list, you must apply for a visa before travelling to the UK. This involves completing an online application, paying the visa fee, providing biometric information, and submitting supporting documents. The application process can take several weeks, so it is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned travel date.
How often is the visa nationals list updated?
The visa nationals list is reviewed and updated periodically by the UK Home Office. Changes to the list are published on the UK government’s website, ensuring that the information remains current and accurate. It is important to check the latest updates before making travel plans.
What are the consequences of travelling to the UK without a required visa?
Travelling to the UK without a required visa can result in being denied entry at the border. You may be held in immigration detention and subsequently removed from the UK. It is essential to ensure that you have the correct visa before travelling to avoid these serious consequences.
Section H: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Visa Nationals | Countries or territories whose citizens require a visa to enter the UK. This requirement applies regardless of the purpose of the visit or the length of stay. |
| Non-Visa Nationals | Countries or territories whose citizens do not require a visa for short stays in the UK, typically up to six months. However, a visa may still be required for certain types of long-term stays or specific activities. |
| Standard Visitor Visa | A type of visa for individuals visiting the UK for tourism, business, study (courses up to six months), or medical treatment. It is valid for up to six months. |
| Transit Visa | A visa required for travellers passing through the UK on their way to another country. It is typically for those who do not have a layover or stopover exceeding 48 hours. |
| Short-term Study Visa | A visa for individuals wishing to study a short course in the UK. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | A status granted to individuals who have lived in the UK for a certain period, allowing them to live and work in the UK without any time restrictions. |
| Schengen Visa | A visa that allows travel between 26 European countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area, so a separate UK visa is required. |
| Common Travel Area (CTA) | An open borders area comprising the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. Citizens of these areas can travel freely without a visa. |
| EU Settlement Scheme | A programme allowing EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens residing in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period to apply for settled or pre-settled status, enabling them to continue living in the UK. |
| Visa Application Centre (VAC) | An office where individuals submit their visa applications, provide biometric information, and attend interviews if required. These centres are typically located in the applicant’s home country. |
| Sponsorship Licence | A licence granted by the UK Home Office to employers and educational institutions, allowing them to sponsor non-UK nationals for visas. |
| Points-based System | A system used by the UK to evaluate visa applicants based on criteria such as skills, qualifications, and job offers. Points are awarded for meeting specific requirements, and a minimum number of points is needed to qualify for a visa. |
| Settlement Visa | A visa that allows individuals to live in the UK permanently. This type of visa is often granted to family members of UK citizens or settled persons. |
| Visitor Visa | A general term for visas issued for short stays in the UK for various purposes, including tourism, business, and visiting family or friends. |
Section I: Additional Resources
UK Government Visas and Immigration
https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
The official UK government website providing comprehensive information on visa types, application processes, and immigration rules.
UK Visa Application Centres
https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html
This website provides information on visa application centres worldwide, including addresses, contact details, and services offered.
Gov.uk: Apply for a UK Visa
https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa
Direct access to the online visa application portal, where applicants can start, manage, and track their visa applications.
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
