Visa requirements for British citizens
Encyclopedia
The visa requirements for overseas travel by British nationals depend on the type of British nationality they possess and whether they have right of abode in the UK
. The most common classes (British Citizen and British National (Overseas)
) can travel more widely without a visa, as shown in the tables below. For British Overseas Territories Citizen
(BOTC) passport holders the requirements also depend on which of the British Overseas Territories
the national is connected with. As all BOTC also are eligible to become British Citizens they can then travel on a British citizen passport.
can visit 171
countries visa-free or with visa on arrival.
s who produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the United Kingdom
(including full British citizens) are eligible to enter New Zealand visa-free for six months.
However, British citizens who are from the Pitcairn Islands
enjoy preferential entry conditions. They can still enter New Zealand without a passport, in which case they are given a certificate of identity at border control allowing them to stay for six weeks as a visitor. If they meet health and character requirements, they can also apply for a residence permit as long as they have been offered employment of at least 30 hours per week in New Zealand.
confers the following reciprocity arrangement for British passport holders in issuance of US visas http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3699.html:
of the United States
and a request for inclusion by the UK government was rejected. The adjusted refusal rate of US B-visas (B1, B1/B2, B2) of BN(O) passport holders in the fiscal year 2008 was 3.3%. That in the fiscal year 2007 was 2.4%, which was lower than the 3% or less requirement for the programme. The refusal rate of HKSAR passport was 3.4% in that year, which was above the 3% requirement.
Until November 27, 2009, British Nationals (Overseas) could enter Guam
without a US visa while HKSAR passport holders required one. For student visa applications (F, M and J) (SEVIS
), British National (Overseas) passport holders must fill in the nationality field as "Hong Kong" or "China", while British citizens must fill in the nationality field as "United Kingdom".
, its Crown Dependencies and the Republic of Ireland
are part of the Common Travel Area
(CTA).
Right of Abode (United Kingdom)
The right of abode is a status under United Kingdom immigration law that gives an unrestricted right to live in the United Kingdom. It was introduced by the Immigration Act 1971.-British citizens:...
. The most common classes (British Citizen and British National (Overseas)
British National (Overseas)
British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens...
) can travel more widely without a visa, as shown in the tables below. For British Overseas Territories Citizen
British Overseas Territories citizen
The status of British Overseas Territories citizen relates to persons holding British nationality by virtue of a connection with a British Overseas Territory.-British Nationality Act 1981:...
(BOTC) passport holders the requirements also depend on which of the British Overseas Territories
British overseas territories
The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction. They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories...
the national is connected with. As all BOTC also are eligible to become British Citizens they can then travel on a British citizen passport.
Visa requirements for British citizens and British nationals (overseas)
According to the "Henley Visa Restrictions Index August 2011," holders of a British citizen passportBritish passport
British passports may be issued to people holding any of the various forms of British nationality, and are used as evidence of the bearer's nationality and immigration status within the United Kingdom or the issuing state/territory.-Issuing:...
can visit 171
countries visa-free or with visa on arrival.
Asia & Oceania
New Zealand
All holders of British passportBritish passport
British passports may be issued to people holding any of the various forms of British nationality, and are used as evidence of the bearer's nationality and immigration status within the United Kingdom or the issuing state/territory.-Issuing:...
s who produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(including full British citizens) are eligible to enter New Zealand visa-free for six months.
However, British citizens who are from the Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn Islands
The Pitcairn Islands , officially named the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, form a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. The islands are a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the Pacific...
enjoy preferential entry conditions. They can still enter New Zealand without a passport, in which case they are given a certificate of identity at border control allowing them to stay for six weeks as a visitor. If they meet health and character requirements, they can also apply for a residence permit as long as they have been offered employment of at least 30 hours per week in New Zealand.
Europe
Middle East & North Africa
North America, Central America and Caribbean Countries
South America & South Atlantic Islands
Sub-Saharan Africa
Visa policy of the United States for UK passport holders
The United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
confers the following reciprocity arrangement for British passport holders in issuance of US visas http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3699.html:
- British Citizen: UK reciprocity and Visa Waiver ProgramVisa Waiver ProgramThe Visa Waiver Program is a program of the United States Government which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. The program applies to the 50 U.S. states as well as the U.S...
(VWP) - Other British nationals who have indefinite leave to remain or right of abode in the UK: UK reciprocity but not VWP
- Other British nationals who do not have indefinite leave to remain or right of abode in the UK: reciprocity schedule of country of birth
- British National (Overseas): Hong Kong reciprocity
- British Overseas Territories Citizens of Bermuda can enter the United States visa-free for up to 180 days if the cover has Government of Bermuda, the nationality is stated as British Overseas Territory Citizen or a British Dependant Territories Citizen and contains an endorsement stamp that gives the holder the status of Bermudan.
- British Overseas Territories Citizens of the Cayman Islands may enter the USA Visa-free with similar requirements and an entrance fee of USD15-25.
Possible inclusion of BN(O) in visa waiver program
British Nationals (Overseas) are not included in the Visa Waiver ProgramVisa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program is a program of the United States Government which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. The program applies to the 50 U.S. states as well as the U.S...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and a request for inclusion by the UK government was rejected. The adjusted refusal rate of US B-visas (B1, B1/B2, B2) of BN(O) passport holders in the fiscal year 2008 was 3.3%. That in the fiscal year 2007 was 2.4%, which was lower than the 3% or less requirement for the programme. The refusal rate of HKSAR passport was 3.4% in that year, which was above the 3% requirement.
Until November 27, 2009, British Nationals (Overseas) could enter Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
without a US visa while HKSAR passport holders required one. For student visa applications (F, M and J) (SEVIS
Sévis
Sévis is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:A farming village situated in the Pays de Bray, some south of Dieppe, at the junction of the D48 and D15 roads.-Population:...
), British National (Overseas) passport holders must fill in the nationality field as "Hong Kong" or "China", while British citizens must fill in the nationality field as "United Kingdom".
Common Travel Area
The United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, its Crown Dependencies and the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
are part of the Common Travel Area
Common Travel Area
The Common Travel Area is a passport-free zone that comprises the islands of Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The area's internal borders are subject to minimal or non-existent border controls and can normally be crossed by Irish and British citizens with only...
(CTA).
- No ID required for British and Irish citizens for travel by land.
- Only Photographic ID required for British and Irish citizens for travel by air or sea.
- Although there are only occasional checks at the land border between Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and the Republic of IrelandRepublic of IrelandIreland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, a United Kingdom visa does not permit travel to Ireland. Nationals requiring visas for travel to Ireland must apply for an entry visa in advance of travel. The same applies to travel from Ireland to the UK with Irish visas. - Although the two sovereign nations in the CTA are members of the European UnionEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, they are not members of the Schengen AreaSchengen AreaThe Schengen Area comprises the territories of twenty-five European countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, in 1985...
, so Schengen visas are not valid for travel to or within the CTA. Immigration controls exist for people arriving to the CTA from the Schengen Area.
See also
- British passportBritish passportBritish passports may be issued to people holding any of the various forms of British nationality, and are used as evidence of the bearer's nationality and immigration status within the United Kingdom or the issuing state/territory.-Issuing:...
- British National (Overseas) passportBritish National (Overseas) passportThe British National passport is a British passport for the holders of the nationality British National . It is mainly held by residents of Hong Kong from 1987.-Physical appearance:...
- British nationality lawBritish nationality lawBritish nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom that concerns citizenship and other categories of British nationality. The law is complex because of the United Kingdom's former status as an imperial power.-History:...
- Visa requirements for British Overseas CitizensVisa requirements for British Overseas CitizensBritish Overseas Citizenship is a form of British nationality under the British Nationality Act 1983. BOCs are British nationals but do not have the right of abode in the United Kingdom...