What is a visa?

A visa is an authority issued by the embassy/consulate of a country that permits a traveller to visit that particular country. The majority of visas are stamped inside your passport. (A small number of visas are either separate document to be carried with the passport or issued electronically.) Visas are issued with specific limitations regarding purpose of visit, length of stay, validity of visa, etc... It is the traveler's responsibility to obtain necessary visas for their travel itinerary.

Guide for British Passport Holders

Below you will find visa information on popular destinations for comprehensive information please refer to a specialist visa company, the information below is correct at time of being published. It is strongly recommended that you re-confirm the information below directly with the appropriate consulate as rules and regulations can change without any prior notice. No warranty is given to the information set out below.

United States of America Visa

The Visa Waiver Program: British Passport holders are entitled to travel to the United States of America under the Visa Waiver Programme (WVP). The basic rules for the VWP are that the traveller:
• Must hold a valid machine readable or e-passport (contains an electronic chip) with a digitised photo

• Be travelling for business, tourism or transit purposes only

• Be staying in the USA for up to 90 days maximum

• Is entering the USA by air or sea:

• Holds a return or onward ticket with a participating carrier

• Further restrictions apply in relation to convictions, communicable diseases, deportation and those who have previously overstayed on the VWP

With effect from 12th January 2009 all those traveling on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to the USA are required to obtain an electronic travel authorisation prior to boarding. The ESTA system has been operating since August 2008 as an option and from January 2009 registration will be mandatory for all participating in the VWP.

Some important points:
• An ESTA is only required for those who do not already hold a visitor's visa for the USA and are eligible to travel on the VWP.
• An ESTA registration lasts for multiple entries over 2 years or the life of the passport, whichever is less.
• If passport details change, i.e. for a name change or passport renewal, a new ESTA must be completed. If a passport which was previously reported as lost or stolen is subsequently located, this cannot be used for an ESTA registration as your application will be denied. A traveller who holds two valid passports may apply for an ESTA in both.
• The US Embassy has confirmed all ESTA registrations should ideally be completed no later than 72 hours prior to travel. The approval process returns a "pending" result and it may take up to 72 hours for a decision to be made and advised.
• An ESTA approval is not a guarantee of entry into the US, only an authorisation for a traveller to board a carrier for travel to the US by air or sea under the rules of the VWP.
You can register for ESTA online.

*Information updated on 31 January 2009 and correct at time of publishing. You are strongly advised to check with the embassy concerned for the latest regulations and no warranties are given as to the accuracy of this information.

India Visa   

India Visa Regulations

If you are applying for a Tourist Visa and hold a British Passport you will require the following:
a. Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.

b. Correct visa fees

c. Two recent identical passport-size photographs

d. Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).

India Visa Fees - the current fees for a tourist visa are as follows:

a) Up to six months £30

b) One year (maximum stay of 180 days per visit) £50

c) More than 1 year tourist visa valid for a maximum stay of 180 days per visit £90

How to Apply:

*Information updated on 31 January 2009 and correct at time of publishing. You are strongly advised to check with the embassy concerned for the latest regulations and no warranties are given as to the accuracy of this information.
It's now possible to complete the application process online, however you will still need to print the application form and either post all your documents or book an appointment to attend in person.

Australia Visa

Australia Visa Regulations

British Passport holders wishing to holiday in Australia require a visa prior to arriving in Australia. If you are travelling to Australia and intend to stay for less than 3 months we are able to arrange an electronic visa for you. Please speak to the consultant who booked your flight to Australia and they will be happy to process your visa application. A service charge will apply.
*Information updated on 31 January 2009 and correct at time of publishing. You are strongly advised to check with the embassy concerned for the latest regulations and no warranties are given as to the accuracy of this information.

Thailand Visa

Thailand Visa Regulations

British Passport holders are entitled to enter Thailand under the "Visa Exemption Rule" provided they meet all of the following criteria:
a) Purpose of visit is strictly tourism.
b) Must be in possession of a confirmed flight ticket (e-ticket acceptable) to show they will be flying out of Thailand within 30 days or 15 days of entry, as appropriate. Open tickets do not qualify. Travelling overland out of Thailand by train, bus, etc to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (including en route to Singapore), Myanmar (Burma), etc is not accepted as proof of exiting Thailand. You may be asked to show your flight ticket on entering Thailand. If you do not possess a flight ticket to show you will be exiting Thailand within 30 or 15 days of entry you are likely to be refused entry and may not even be allowed to check in for your flight to Thailand.
c) Having access to living expenses of 20,000 baht (approx £300) per person or 40,000 baht (approx £600) per family. It may be necessary to be able to prove this on entry.
A visa fee may be levied on persons entering Thailand under the Visa Exemption Rule.
A person travelling on a "UK Travel Document" (blue cover), a "UK Certificate of Identity" (brown cover) or a "British National Overseas Passport" (brown cover), whatever their nationality, can not enter Thailand under the "Visa Exemption Rule". Such persons are subject to the visa rules applying to their nationality.
*Information updated on 31 January 2009 and correct at time of publishing. You are strongly advised to check with the embassy concerned for the latest regulations and no warranties are given as to the accuracy of this information.

South Africa Visa

South Africa Visa Regulations

British Passport holders do not require a visa prior to arrival in South Africa but the following conditions should be met:

• A valid acceptable passport or travel document good for a sufficient period to cover the intended stay.
• A valid visa, if required.
• Sufficient funds.
• A return or onward ticket.
• At least two blank pages in your passport.
• Yellow fever certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

*Information updated on 31 January 2009 and correct at time of publishing. You are strongly advised to check with the embassy concerned for the latest regulations and no warranties are given as to the accuracy of this information.

Kenya Visa

Kenya Visa Regulations

British Passport holders require a visa in order to visit Kenya. The current requirements for a visa to Kenya are:
1. Completed Application Form
2. Your valid Passport (validity - passport has to be valid for three months or at the time of arrival in Kenya).
3. One photograph (passport size).
3. Visa Fees:-
Single Entry Visa fee = £30
Transit Visa = £10
Multiple Entry Visa for (1) one year = £60
*Information updated on 31 January 2009 and correct at time of publishing. You are strongly advised to check with the embassy concerned for the latest regulations and no warranties are given as to the accuracy of this information.

Cuba Visa

Cuba Visa Regulations

Everyone wishing to enter Cuba as a Tourist is required to apply for a Tourist Visa Card. A tourist card is valid ONLY for leisure or recreational purposes. It is not valid for other travel purposes.
Application Requirements for a Cuba Tourist Visa Card
(a) One completed Tourist Visa card application form.

(b) Photocopy of valid passport(s).

(c) Proof of travel arrangements and accommodation.

(d) Fee (payable in cash and postal).

(e) For postal applications, a stamped addresses or recorded delivery envelope.
Validity A Tourist visa card is valid for a 30 day stay, within 180 days of issue; if required further 30 day extension are available in Cuba.
Cost The fee for a Cuba Tourist Visa Card is £15
*Information updated on 31 January 2009 and correct at time of publishing. You are strongly advised to check with the embassy concerned for the latest regulations and no warranties are given as to the accuracy of this information.