uk tourist visa 90 days

How to (Legally) Stay in Europe for More Than 90 Days

When I planned my move to Sweden a few years ago, I tried to figure out how to get past the 90-day limit placed on tourist visas in the Schengen Area. This is a problem encountered by thousands of travelers every year and a question that regularly (especially this time of year) pops up in my inbox.

“How can I stay in Europe for more than 90 days?”

It’s a simple question with a very complicated answer.

I always knew it was complicated, but until I started researching how to stay there longer, I never knew just how complicated.

Fortunately, in the process of this research, I came to learn there are a few ways to stay in Europe longer than 90 days; they just aren’t well known.

This post will teach you the options for staying in Europe over 90 days as well as give you tips on how to move to Europe. But first a few things:

It’s important to note that Europe isn’t just one place — there are varying visa rules throughout the continent. When people talk about the “90-day limit,” they’re talking about restrictions on the Schengen Area, which is the visa policy that governs 27 countries in Europe. It includes most of the European Union as well as a few non-EU countries.

Note: While I call it the “Schengen Visa,” it’s not an actual visa you necessarily need to apply for. Depending on your residency status and country of citizenship, you may need to apply in advance for a Schengen Visa, however, those with an American passport do not need to apply in advance.

However, it should be noted that as of 2025, visitors from 60 countries (including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada) will need to apply for an online ETIAS, which is essentially a visa waiver, when entering the 23 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries of the Schengen. It is valid for 90 days within a 180-day period.

You can apply and pay online up to 96 hours beforehand. It is similar to the US version of ESTA (or the eTA in Canada). ETIAS cost 7 EUR for those 18-70 years old and are free for those under 18 years or over 70.

If you come from a country that requires you to get a Schengen visa you will not need to apply for ETIAS. It’s one or the other. Learn more here . (The ETIAS was originally set to launch in 2024, but has been pushed back.)

Table of Contents

• What is the Schengen Visa?

Part 1: Staying or Moving to Europe the Easy Way

Part 2: staying in the schengen area past 90 days.

• Take Advantage of the Bilateral Agreement
• Working Holiday Visas
• Long-Term-Stay Visas
• Student Visas
• Freelancer Visas
• Marriage Visas

What is the Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa is a 90-day tourist visa for Schengen Area countries, which are:

• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

  Additionally, there are several microstates that are de facto members of the Schengen Area. These are Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

These Schengen countries have a border-free visa agreement that lets residents move throughout the Area without needing to show their passports every time they cross a border. Essentially, it’s as if they’re one country, and you can move as freely as you want.

Citizens of many countries are allowed to enter the Schengen Area without having to get a visa beforehand. Your passport simply gets stamped upon your arrival and departure from Europe. You’re allowed to enter and leave from any country you want — they don’t have to be the same.

Here is a map of the countries with visa waivers that can enter the Schengen without requiring a visa in advance.

Most visitors (including Americans) are allowed to spend 90 days in the Schengen Area in every 180-day period. The easiest way to think of it is that you can visit for 3 months and then you have to leave for 3 months before you can return.

However, you can also bounce back and forth between Schengen and non-Schengen countries — you just need to keep track of all your dates of entry/exit.

When I visit Europe, I fly in and out of different countries all the time. Your first entry in the 180-day period is when your 90-day counter starts. These days don’t need to be consecutive — the total is cumulative. Once day 181 hits, the count resets itself.

For example, if I come to the Schengen Area in January and stay for 60 days and then come back in June for 10 days, that counts as 70 days in 180 days. Only days you are in the zone during the period count. If you go on January 1st and stay 90 straight days, you have to leave and technically can’t come back until July 1st.

If you’re doing a lot of bouncing around, use the EU’s Schengen visa calculator . Simply input all your travel dates and it’ll tell you how many days you have remaining.

However, not all travelers are allowed such freedom.

Citizens from many countries need to apply for a Schengen visa ahead of time. You’ll be required to fill out paperwork beforehand and fly in and out of the country for which your visa is issued.

Even then, you still might not be granted a visa. Spoiler alert: citizens from African and Asian countries get screwed.

So, with that being said, how DO you stay in Europe longer? How do you get around that rule? Let me break it down for you.  

Most non-Schengen countries such as Moldova , Ireland , and some Balkan countries allow you to stay for up to 60 or 90 days. Albania even lets Americans stay up to a year!

So, all you need to do to stay in Europe longer than 3 months is spend 90 days in the Schengen Area and then visit the UK, go to the Balkans, drink wine in Moldova, and have a pint in Ireland. If you align your schedule right, you can easily be out of the Schengen Area for 90 days and then head back into the Schengen Area with a brand new Schengen visa.

Years ago, to get around this limit, I spent three months in Bulgaria , Romania , Ukraine , and England as I waited for my clock to reset.

After that, I headed back into the Schengen area for Oktoberfest .

If you want to travel the continent for a long time without having to go through the various visa processes described below, vary your travel by visiting non-Schengen countries. There are plenty of countries to choose from while you wait for your Schengen Visa clock to reset. This is the easy, hassle-free way of doing things.

If this is your plan for traveling around Europe, make sure you have travel insurance. For just a few dollars a day, you’ll ensure that you’re covered should something go wrong during your trip.

My go-to travel insurance company is SafetyWing . Their Nomad Insurance is super affordable and covers delays, lost luggage, and trip interruption (when you’re bouncing around the continent, delays are inevitable). It also includes $250,000 in emergency medical coverage, ensuring you don’t go bankrupt should you need medical assistance. They have great customer service too so it’s fast and easy to make a claim or ask questions.

I never visit Europe without travel insurance. You shouldn’t either!

—-> Need more tips for Europe? Visit my destination guide and get in-depth information on what to see and do and how to save money .  

After all, the Schengen Area spans 27 countries and visiting so many destinations in 90 days can be a little rushed (you would have an average of just 3.5 days per country).

If you want to stay longer to travel, live, learn a language, or fall in love, then the “move around” option suggested above isn’t going to work for you. You need something else.

Luckily, there are a few ways to do this — and I can’t stress enough the importance of the word “few.” Because staying more than 90 days in the Schengen Area isn’t easy.

First, let’s understand the rule:

The Schengen law states that you can’t stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days. If you do, you’re subject to a fine and possibly deportation and being banned from re-entering the Schengen Area. How that rule is enforced, though, varies greatly from one country to another. Overstaying by a day might not be the end of the world, however, some countries do not mess around with visitors overstaying.

For example, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries are all very strict about entry and exit rules. If you overstay your tourist visit, there’s a good chance they’ll pull you aside. Two Australians I know were detained leaving Switzerland due to overstaying their visa by two weeks. They were allowed to go with just a warning, but they missed their flights and had to book new flights.

I know of someone who overstayed by six months, tried to leave from Amsterdam, and now has an “illegal immigrant” stamp on her passport. In order to enter Europe again, she must apply for a visa at an embassy and be preapproved:

I made the mistake of attempting to leave from the Netherlands after overstaying a Schengen visa and was caught. I overstayed by about a month, and they hand-drew some sort of insignia in my passport to note my overstay. They told me I’d have to contact the IND and find out if I would be able to enter the Schengen states again.

Another blogger told me this happened to them too so don’t overstay your visa!

That being said, if you leave from Greece , France , Italy , or Spain you may be less likely to encounter an issue, provided you (a) haven’t stayed over too long and (b) didn’t catch the immigration officer on a bad day.

When I left Greece, no one even looked at my passport. One of my friends met a guy in France, fell in love, and decided not to leave. A year later, when she finally did, the French officials didn’t even look twice. Another friend flew into France and didn’t even get an entry stamp. Spain is another place notorious for not caring and Americans who decide to overstay for months mention that as the easiest country to exit from. Still, it’s a good idea not to take your chances.

Of course, I don’t think it’s wise to overstay. A day or two? Likely not the end of the world. But a few weeks? A few months? The risk is too great. The fines can be large and I love going to Europe too much to risk being banned.

But, Matt, can I extend just extend my Schengen visa/stamp?

Unfortunately not. Simply put, you cannot extend your tourist visa or entry stamp. There’s a 90-day limit, and that’s that.

So what’s a tourist to do?  

1. Take advantage of the Bilateral Agreement

There are 23 Schengen countries to date with bilateral agreements in place with Austria having the most visa waiver agreements (for 27 non-EU countries). Moreover, there are 12 countries that have bilateral agreements with Australia.

For example, France has a bilateral agreement that allows U.S. citizens to stay an additional 90 days beyond the Schengen limit. You can enter from any Schengen country, stay 90 days in France, and then fly home. But the catch is you have to go home — you can’t go elsewhere. You have to leave Europe so you can’t use your time in France as a sneaky way to reset your Schengen clock.

Now, the France/U.S. rule is tricky. It’s based on a post-World War II agreement that was never canceled. Multiple French consulates told me yes, they thought this law existed but couldn’t tell me where to find it. A few visa services told me I was crazy. One consulate told me it was possible but only with a long-term visa.

BUT, after many calls, the US, Canada, and UK French embassies told me that yes, this law does exist and that yes, this is still valid. Then they referenced me to the French national archives.

Well, we found the actual diplomatic papers that spell this out . It took us close to a year to find it but we did.

This is the note from the French government about it:

Hi, There is a bilateral agreement between French and the U.S. by exchange letters (March 16-31 mars 1949), which allows American citizens to stay in France 90 days over 180 days, irrespective of the stays already made in other Schengen countries. However, this agreement has been made before the Schengen agreement. Today, as there is no more border control between the Schengen countries, it is very difficult to determine how long a person has stayed in France and we heard that some people had troubles with the immigration police while leaving France. Therefore, we recommend American citizens to respect the Schengen regulation which allows a maximum of 90 days on 180 days in the whole Schengen area. Consulat général de France, Service des visas 4101 Reservoir Road, Washington DC, 20007

A follow-up to the London embassy gave me this response:

“Whilst the bilateral agreement you refer to has not officially been revoked, the French Border Police has sole authority on deciding whether to apply it or not, at the time of entering or exiting the Schengen area.”

So this is really a thing. And, while they don’t like you using it, it’s still the law. Just bring proof you stayed in France for 90 days! If you plan to use this rule, bring documentation as border guards may not be aware of it.

Additionally, Denmark, Norway, and Poland also have bilateral agreements with the United States that let citizens stay an additional 90 days in each country separate from the regular Schengen Zone visa. The Denmark rule applies exactly the same way as the French one. Denmark also has a bilateral agreement that is applicable for citizens of Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea .

That said, travelers can only use the Norwegian or the Danish bilateral agreement — they can’t use both (time in Norway under the bilateral agreement counts as time in Denmark and vice versa).

For Poland, you must enter and leave Poland via a non-Schengen country where you will be stamped again (i.e., direct flight from NYC). So you could do 90 days in the Schengen, fly to the UK, and then fly to Poland. Poland’s rules are simply laid out in an agreement letter the U.S. and Poland signed in 1991. ( Here’s a copy of the letter from the Polish government) .

In theory, there are also other bilateral agreements between the U.S. and Schengen countries. I’ve been told by multiple sources that Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Norway, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands all have their own bilateral agreements with the U.S. as well. This page outlines the existing bilateral agreements .

However, I reached out to each country’s consulate and none of them replied (save Portugal) in any meaningful way. They simply directed me to the standard visa FAQ page.

Regarding Portugal, a representative from the Portuguese consulate said this regarding their bilateral 60-day visa:

Please note that those 60 days are an exceptional extension that needs to be requested within Portugal at SEF office near your temporary address in Portugal.

Now, in theory, one could say thanks to borderless travel you could get your “extra 90 days in Denmark” and then just travel around, fly out of Denmark, and no one would be the wiser. One could say that. But I’ve noticed a lot more intra-Europe passport checks in recent years. I got yelled at in France for not having my passport with me while on a train to see a chateau. So, I wouldn’t recommend doing this.

Note: Most countries have bilateral agreements with other countries. Call the local embassy for more information (you’ll have better luck calling than emailing).  

2. Get a Working Holiday Visa

There is no single “working holiday” program for the Schengen or EU so applicants must apply for a visa from a specific country. Usually, applicants must be younger than 30, though age restrictions are becoming more relaxed in recent years.

Additionally, you can get consecutive working holiday visas. An Australian reader of mine got a two-year Dutch working holiday visa and then got one from Norway to stay two more years. While she and her boyfriend (who also got one) did odd jobs in Holland for a bit, they mostly used it as a way to travel around the continent.

Note : This type of visa won’t allow you to work in any other country than the one that issued it.

For Americans, there are only two options for working holidays in Europe: Ireland (non-Schengen country) and Portugal (Schengen country). Both programs are essentially the same, providing a 12-month work visa to those either currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a higher education institution.

While you must be at least 18 to apply, there’s no upper age limit, provided that you fit the other criteria. For the Portuguese visa, you can only work for 6 months out of the 12-month visa, while the Irish visa has no work restrictions.

3. Get a Long-Term-Stay Visa

However, in 2023, if you have a fully online business, there are countries within Schengen that allow digital nomad visas provided you make a certain amount of money per month and have your own health insurance. Countries that currently offer digital nomad visas include Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Romania, Spain, and Norway.

The countries that allow you to apply with the lowest online salary are Portugal, Hungary, Malta, and Croatia, which require around 2,500 EUR in income per month.

Schengen allows for a C- or D-class visa (the letter varies on the country), which is a temporary residence visa for up to one year. But the specific visa and requirements vary from country to country. Some countries are harder, some are easier, and others are nearly impossible despite being in the same visa treaty zone.

However, there are a few countries that do offer long-term visas that aren’t too hard to get:  

France offers a long-term visitor visa for a period of up to one year. According to the French Embassy, “The ‘visitor’ visa (or visa ‘D’) allows you to enter France and stay for more than three months. Long-stay visa holders will be allowed to reside in France for up to 12 months according to the validity of their visa and purpose of stay.”

To get this visa, you must set up an appointment at the French consulate near you. You can’t walk in — you must make an appointment.

At this appointment, you’ll need the following documents:

• One application form filled out completely and signed
• Three passport photos
• Your original passport, which must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for three months after your return, and have at least two blank pages left
• A letter certified by a notary public that promises you won’t engage in work
• A letter of employment stating current occupation and earnings
• Proof of income (you’ll need copies of a pension certificate or your last 3 bank statements)
• Proof of medical insurance that includes evacuation insurance and medical coverage of at least €30,000 (a copy of your US health insurance card is not acceptable as proof, you need a detailed description of coverage)
• Proof of accommodation in France. (If you don’t have an official document such as a sublet agreement, you can include a letter describing your accommodation arrangements).

Note : You can’t apply for this visa more than three months before your arrival date.

France-Visas is the official visa website for France. It details all the types of visas and has a helpful “visa wizard” where you put in your situation and it tells you what type of visa you should apply for as well as all the documents that you need.

You can also visit the French Embassy website for links to local embassies and consulates for more information. Find your closest consulate here .

This post has some helpful information to get you started on long-term visas in particular .  

Sweden also offers a long-term stay tourist visa for a maximum period of one year. Here’s a brief overview of what you need:

• Residence permit for visitor’s application form
• Notarized copies of the pages of your passport that show your identity and the validity of your passport, as well as copies of all the other visas/stamps you have. Your passport also needs to be valid for 3 months after your stay.
• A bank statement showing your means of supporting yourself for the duration of your stay (450 SEK for each day of your stay)
• A return airplane ticket
• Proof of medical coverage of at least 30,000 EUR

Most people who apply for this visa have family in Sweden. If you don’t, you’ll need to have clear reasons as to why you need to stay longer and show ample proof that you can support yourself (i.e., “I want to meet Swedish guys/girls” won’t cut it!).

You can apply either in Sweden or outside the country. If you’re applying from Sweden, you can apply online, and then make an appointment at the consulate or embassy to show your passport and get fingerprinted. If you’re applying outside of Sweden, you need to file your application in person at the consulate or embassy. When you file your application abroad, you’ll also be interviewed about your intended trip and the purpose for staying in Sweden.

You can learn more about the process on this government page .

Spain offers a couple of long-term visas. The Golden Visa is based on a sizable financial investment in Spain, either into a company (minimum 1 million EUR), real estate (minimum 500,000 EUR), or invest in a new business such as in science or tech that creates local employment opportunities. The other more attainable and popular long-term visa targets retirees and is called the Non-Lucrative Residence Visa. It requires that you spend at least 183 days in Spain, which would make you a legal resident for tax purposes. During this time, you are unable to work in Spain (so you’ll need to have enough savings to get you by). However, studying and unpaid internships are permitted.

The big catch for this visa is that you need to have at least 26,000 EUR in your bank account (ideally more). Since the visa is designed for retirees, the assumption is that you’re coming here to rest on your financial laurels after a lifetime of saving up — hence the sizeable requirement.

The visa has been denied to people who are remote workers so I wouldn’t recommend this visa if you’re a digital nomad (Spain is supposedly working on a visa specifically for digital nomads, though it’s not currently available). This is a bit of a gray area though. If you can show enough savings to financially sustain yourself for a year without working, you can get this visa. You just cannot use monthly statements (such as from your remote job) to prove income; financial proof must be savings or passive income (such as a pension).

In addition to having sizable savings, you’ll also need to fill out the application, submit your passport and additional photos, pay a fee, and provide the following:

• Proof of private health insurance (from an authorized company in Spain not travel insurance)
• A doctor’s note certifying that you’re healthy
• A criminal background check translated into Spanish

You must apply for this visa in your country of residency (usually with the help of lawyers). The application varies per country, usually between 120-900 EUR (it’s around 125 EUR for Americans and over 500 EUR for Canadians).

This consulate page has all the specific details you need regarding the application .

Portugal has multiple long-term stay visas. First, there is a Golden Visa, which requires a minimum investment in the country of 280,000 EUR and takes around 18 months to process. The D7 Passive Income visa, which is similar to Spain’s non-lucrative visa, is more realistic for most people.

To apply for the D7 visa in Portugal you need:

• Proof of health insurance covering at least 30,000 EUR
• A background check
• Proof of financial means to stay in Portugal (8,460 EUR)
• 2 passport photos
• Proof of accommodation

The main difference between the Portuguese and Spanish long-term visas is that you only need an income of around 8,460 EUR instead of the 26,000 EUR in savings that the Spanish visa requires. You still cannot work on this visa, so your income must be passive (investments, pension, rental property, etc.).

The D7 visa can work for digital nomad as it is valid for 4 months. Portugal is much more accepting of remote work as proof of income for the visa application than Spain.

Portugal also offers the D2 immigrant Entrepreneur visa, which isn’t designed specifically for digital nomads, but could be used by specific entrepreneurs. You’ll need to submit a business plan and demonstrate you have enough capital to get started. You’ll also need to explain why you want to start your business in Portugal (or move it there). You’ll have a much higher chance of getting approved if you have invested upwards of 5,000 EUR in your business and speak some Portuguese (it’s not required, but these visas are regularly rejected so it will give you a leg up).

In short, there are a lot of steps for a temporary visa. However, you can get this extended and eventually apply for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years.

You’ll need to apply for both of these visas in your country of residency.

The official Portuguese visa website has more information about specific visas and requirements. You can locate your nearest Portuguese consulate here .

A note on long-term visas: Keep in mind that the information above is just for reference. There may be more requirements needed for your application and not all visas are open to everyone. You’ll want to contact your local embassy for specifics and additional information.  

4. Get a Student Visa

All Schengen Area countries offer student visas that are easy to obtain so long as you’re enrolled in a recognized university program. This would require you to pay for the course and you may also have to show proof of minimum fund requirements, but it will virtually guarantee you a visa if you are accepted.

One of the best countries to do this is Spain, where a whole industry has sprung up to help students study Spanish. There are tons of schools that will allow you to enroll and write letters stating you’re a student there. You’ll need to apply in your home country but the process is relatively straightforward. This post details the requirements .

Germany is another popular choice, as post-secondary schools there are essentially free. While there may be more competition, the costs are much lower. However, you need to show proof that you have money in a bank account to cover your expenses. As of October 2022, that amount is 11, 208 EUR in a blocked bank account.

In Germany, you might also be able to work up to 120 full days, or 240 half days (20 hours a week) while you study as well. You can learn about the application process here .

While most student visas allow you to stay in a country for one year, I would only consider getting one if you actually plan on studying. If you’re just getting a student visa to travel and play tourist, it’s not going to be worth the cost and paperwork since you’ll need to set up everything from a residential address to a bank account to a local phone number and more.  

5. Get a Freelancer/Remote Worker Visa

There are several countries that offer freelancer visas and visas geared towards the increasing number of remote workers. This process is a little more complicated and not for the casual tourist. These visas are meant for people who actually want to live and work in Europe. If you’re just a casual tourist, expect to be denied. But if you’re a digital nomad, this is the visa for you.

Schengen countries that offer freelancer or remote worker visas include:

• Germany (no set income amount, but you need a business plan and upwards of 10,000 EUR in savings)
• Estonia (3,500 EUR income/month)
• Czechia (5,600 EUR in savings)
• Portugal (2,800 EUR income/month)
• Greece (3,500 EUR income/month)
• Malta (2,700 EUR income/month)
• Hungary (2,000 EUR income/month
• Croatia (17,800 HRK (2,300 EUR income/month)

Non-Schengen countries that have them include:

• Romania (no set income, reports of successful applicants range from about 3,700 EUR/month)
• Georgia (2,000 USD income/month)
• Iceland (1,000,000 ISK income/month (6,617 EUR), only valid for up to 6 months)

Germany is the country most used by people who want to reside in Europe. If you’re a freelancer, digital nomad, artist, or have some form of income, this is the visa to get. If you are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.S., Israel, South Korea, or Japan you can apply after you arrive in Germany (everyone else needs to apply in advance).

The visa only lasts for three months, however, it is designed to be extended into a residency visa which would then last for three years. I have many friends who have gotten this visa. As long as you follow the steps, you should be fine. This post has more information about the process .

Most of these visas follow a similar format: apply, pay a fee, submit proof that your business can stay afloat, then wait to be accepted. However, some have more stringent requirements.

For example, Estonia’s freelancer visa requires a monthly income of at least 3,500 EUR per month leading up to your application. For the Czechia visa, you need to have at least $6,000 USD in your bank account (the lovely folks at Wandertooth, who did this process a couple of years ago, can walk you through the steps ).

If you are a digital nomad and are considering working remotely from the EU you can compare these programs to see which one bests suits your goals (though Germany is likely the best place to start since it’s one of the easiest to get).  

6. Get Married to a European

Fall in love with a European (or at least a friend) and apply for a marriage visa! You’ll get to stay there while the application process goes through and then you can move to Europe and stay there forever with the love of your life! That’s a win-win! (This is a joke. Don’t get married just for a visa to stay in Europe!)

The best, easiest, and most effective way to stay in Europe long-term is to increase the number of countries you visit so you’re in the Schengen Area for only 90 days. As I said, there are a lot of countries not in the Area so this is easy to do.

If you’re like me and want to stay in the Schengen Area longer than 90 days (or just want to move to Europe because it’s awesome), be prepared to work the system. It’s not impossible to stay long-term in the Schengen Area. By understanding the system and using the few loopholes that do exist, one can legally stay past 90 days and enjoy all Europe has to offer without worrying about being barred for life.  

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Book Your Trip to Europe: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

For suggestions on where to stay during your trip, here is a list of my favorite hostels in Europe .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

NOTE: Due to the complexities of visas and the uniqueness of everyone’s situation, we do not answer any visa related questions in the comments or via email. Thank you.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Everything you need to know about the new £6 EU visa scheme

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What’s the first thing you do after returning from a summer holiday? Start planning another one, of course.

But heading to Europe next year will be a little different for Brits, thanks to a new visa scheme called ETIAS.

As it stands, visitors from the UK can visit the EU’s Schengen area (a borderless collective of 29 countries) for up to 90 days, every 180 days, without a visa.

The new scheme means anyone travelling to popular tourist hotspots including Portugal , Spain and Greece , will need to apply — and pay a €7 (around £6) visa waiver charge.

Here’s what you need to know before you jet off.

What is the new EU visa waiver scheme – ETIAS?

Known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the waiver will be similar to the ESTA, which is required for UK passport holders travelling to the US .

Set to be launched in spring, travellers will need to apply online or via an app. Most applications should be approved within a few minutes – although it could take up to three days.

More complex passengers should give themselves 30 days to be approved

How much is ETIAS?

Officials in Brussels have confirmed that Brits travelling to Europe will need to apply for the visa waiver, and that it will cost the equivalent of €7.

The EU Commission insists this is ‘way cheaper’ than the US Esta, which costs $14 (€12.50 or £10.75).

The fee will apply to travellers aged between 18 and 70, but the visa will be free for children and anyone over 70.

When will the EU visa scheme start?

ETIAS is set to be launched in spring 2025 , according to Ylva Johansson, the EU home affairs commissioner.

The ETIAS will be introduced alongside the EUs new Entry/Exit System (EES), which will come into force on November 10.

How long will ETIAS be valid for?

The visas will be valid for three years – or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.

If the ETIAS are indeed launched by spring, it could mean that anyone going away during May half-term will require one.

Why has ETIAS been introduced?

The EES means that all passengers without EU passports will have their fingerprints and pictures taken upon arrival.

The aim is that the combination of the ETIAS and EES will make the European Union’s borders more secure.

Ylva Johansson said: ‘With the Entry/Exit System we will know exactly who enters the Schengen Area, with a foreign passport. We will know if people stay too long. Countering irregular migration.

‘And the Entry/Exit System will make it harder for criminals, terrorists or Russian spies to use fake passports. Thanks to biometric identification: photos and fingerprints. It will be goodbye to passport stamping, hello to digital checks for all passengers from outside the EU, making travel easier, and border checks gradually faster.

‘And then the next step comes quick – ETIAS. Live in 2025 – travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for people from 60 visa free countries.’

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But critics say the move will cause headaches for travellers and border force officials, with long queues predicted and experts already warning it could add at least two minutes of processing time per passenger.

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Get in touch by emailing [email protected] .

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ETIAS explained: start date, how and when to apply for €7 UK to Europe visa

A new visa system needed for Brits to travel to the EU is expected to come into effect in 2025

Every year, tens of thousands of us Brits head to Europe on holiday for their annual dose of sun, culture, and all around good vibes. From next year however that process will be made ever so slightly more complicated, as the European entry/exit system (EES) is coming into effect, and British passport holders will need to register for a visa before they next fly/sail to the continent.

That might sound complex or intimidating, but we promise it really isn’t. All it actually means is uploading your information to a database so the EU officials can make sure you’re not a criminal. The system will apply to lots of nations around the world – including us, now that we’ve left the EU .

There will also be a six-month grace period when the EES first begins, so you won’t immediately be refused entry if you are otherwise good to go. Still, it’s good to know exactly what you’ll need to do before next summer, which is where we come in. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming EU visa situation.

RECOMMENDED: ☀️  The best city breaks in Europe .  ✅  How to be a better tourist in Europe’s most visited cities .

What is the ETIAS visa?

ETIAS stands for the ‘European Travel Information and Authorisation System’. The European entry/Exit system (EES) is a database which keeps track of who is and isn’t allowed to travel in and out of the EU. The ETIAS visa is exactly what it says on the tin – it grants you passage into the EU. 

We’ll be able to apply for it by next May, but more on that in a minute. That’s all the basics, so let’s get into the nitty gritty.

When does the visa start for the UK?

After several delays, the EES will become operational midway through 2025, and from then it will be mandatory for everyone travelling to Europe from a non-member state to obtain a visa.

British citizens will be able to apply for a waiver as soon as the system comes into effect. It will cost €7 (about £6), and you won’t be allowed to enter the EU without it, so make sure to put it on next summer’s to-do list before you forget. As is currently the case, it will enable Brits to spend 90 out of every 180 days in EU countries. 

You can find out more about when EU visas come into force for other countries here .

How long does it last?

The waiver will be associated with your passport, and your biometric information like fingerprints, and so it will last either three years, or until your passport expires – whichever comes first. Once it runs out you’ll have to reapply online and pay the fee again.

It shouldn’t take very long for your request to be approved, but it’s recommended you apply at least a few weeks before you’re due to travel.

How to apply for an ETIAS visa?

Luckily, the application process is very simple. All you’ll need is your passport, six quid (or so), and about 15 minutes. You can’t apply yet, but eventually a tab will open on the ETIAS website where you’ll enter the following information:

• Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number;
• Travel document details;
• Details about your level of education and current occupation;
• Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
• Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.

If you are applying with a British passport, it must not be within three months of its expiry date. If you have different travel documentation, you can have a look here to make sure that it is a valid form.

How far in advance must I apply?

As we say, some will be approved within a matter of hours while others could take closer to days. To be safe, apply at least two-to-three weeks before your date of travel, and make sure that your passport is not about to expire.

Does it need to be printed?

All your information, including the visa, will be on the ETIAS system, so you don’t need to print anything or even save a QR code to your phone. When your passport is scanned, it will automatically come up that you have a visa. You will probably be asked for fingerprints the first time you travel with the pass, so don’t be alarmed when the border agent starts whipping out the ink pads.

Do you need to apply every time you travel to Europe?

If you head to Europe once every three years then yes, you will need to reapply for every trip. Otherwise, you will be fine for as much continental travel as your heart desires for 36 months from the date of issue, or until your passport expires.

The 90/180 day rule

The 90/190 day rule, which allows citizens of certain countries, including the UK, to enter the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days as long as they are not there for 180 days of the year, will remain in place. You’ll still have to apply and pay the fee, as your EES data will be used to make sure you’re complying with the rules and not overstaying your welcome.

Did you see that   this majestic Victorian UK train station is getting a £140 million revamp ?

Plus:   The first King Charles III coins come into circulation this week ?

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• Nov 2, 2023

Debunking the UK Tourist Visa 180-Day Count Requirement: What You Need to Know

Updated: May 9

Is there a misconception of a 180-Day Count Rule on tourist visas?

Unmasking the Tourist Visas 180-Day Count Misconception

Understanding the Length of Stay

Multiple Entry Rules for UK Tourists

Risks associated with multiple prolonged stays, immigration options for longer period of stay.

Family Routes

Work Routes

Study routes, frequently asked questions.

There is a common misconception surrounding overseas tourists when coming to the UK being limited to spending a total of 6 months (180 days) within any 12-month period. However, this assumption is not entirely accurate. While there is indeed a 180-day count in place, it doesn't mean you can only remain in the UK for 180 days total in a single year. Our comprehensive guide, will unravel the intricacies of the 'Tourist visas 180-day count' requirement and clarify the reality of how long you can actually remain in the UK.

If you would like more information or legal advice about UK visa application requirements get in touch or check out our visitor visa web page .

Unmasking the UK Visitor Visa 180-Day rule Misconception

The 180-day count is often misinterpreted as a strict restriction that bars individuals with a visa from staying for more than 180 days in any single 12-month period. This misconception has further led to the belief that travellers can only spend 6 months out of every 12 months in the UK. However, the 'UK tourist visas does not operate in this way.

For example, if an overseas national enters the UK on a tourist visa and spends time here lets say between January and May, they can return later within the same year under a new visa again lets say in October and remains for a further period, exceeding more than one month. Similarly, if the same individual initially arrives in the UK on a long-term tourist visa, spending 5 months in the UK, they can revisit later in the year without being restricted to a mere four weeks. Thus, the 180-day count is fundamentally misunderstood.

Understanding the Leave to remain entitlement Tourists have

Under the UK's Immigration Rules for visitors, there is no '180 day rule.' Specific for standard tourist visas, the maximum duration granted is 'up to 6 months.' This means that anyone coming to the UK for purposes of tourism, visiting friends and family, or short business trips can remain for up to a maximum of 6 months during a single trip.

However, depending on the purpose of their visit, a visa might be granted for a shorter period which aligns with their specific intention for entering the UK. Yet, with the issuance of a new visa or a multiple-entry visa valid for several years, there is no restriction on the total time spent in the UK over a 12-month period across multiple visits. In theory, an overseas national must exit the UK after completing a 6-month visit, apply for a new visa from overseas, and potentially return again to the UK, even if it's only a few weeks later, depending on the requirement of their new visit.

Regular tourists to the UK have the option to apply for multiple-entry that is valid for 2, 5, or 10 years. These applications do not specify a limit on the total time a visa holder can spend in the UK within a particular period, suffice each visit does not exceed a maximum duration of 180 days, typically 6 months.

These visa's enable holders to enjoy multiple trips to the UK over extended periods without the need to reapply for a visa each time they visit. However, it's important to note that a standard tourist visa, unless explicitly endorsed as 'single' or 'dual-entry,' can also be used for multiple entries, allowing visa holders to depart and re-enter the UK as many times as they wish within the visa's validity period, for up to a maximum of 6 months per visit.

If a tourist with a multiple-entry visa desires to stay longer than their visa's expiry date when issued a visa that is valid for less than 180 days, they can apply to extend their permission for up to the standard 6-month limit.

For example, if a tourist arrives in January and their multiple-entry visa expires in March, they can apply to extend their stay as a standard tourist until June of that year, provided they continue to meet the visitor rules. It's also possible to make an in-country application to extend standard tourist visa, extending their stay in the UK if initially they were granted a visa that was shorter than 180 days, but in both cases this must be submitted before the original visa expires.

While the visitor rules do not inherently prevent visitors from making multiple stays in the UK, a challenge arises when such visits occur in quick succession of each other. To be eligible for a visa, tourists must genuinely intend to visit and not use their visa to establish prolonged residence in the UK through frequent and successive visits or make the UK their primary residence through the tourist visas route. Therefore, using a visitor visa for numerous extended stays within short timeframe of each other will likely raise suspicions about the visitor's intentions.

When an individual's travel history shows back-to-back visits, each of up to the 6-month time limit, immigration officials may take the view this is a breach of the immigration rules. As a consequence, a visa holder can be denied entry upon arrival in the UK. They also run the risk of having their visitor visa curtailed, making it challenging to reapply for entry clearance at a later date.

Even for citizens of countries eligible for visa-free travel to the UK, known as non-visa nationals, excessive visits within a short timeframe often results in refusal of entry upon arrival. In such cases, individuals would be wise to apply for a visa in advance before attempting to re-enter the UK again. An adverse immigration history can impose challenges, especially for non-visa nationals subject to immigration control.

Ironically, this mythical 180-day rule can be applied in practice . When staying in the UK for more than 180 days in a 12-month period which can lead to immigration officials at UK ports of entry including Home Office caseworkers perceiving the visa holder as a non-genuine visitor. Adversely impacting there immigration history causing difficulties on future visa applications.

Despite the potential risks for regular visitors, long-term visitor visas can be an ideal way to make multiple visits to the UK over several years, as long as they are not used excessively to establish prolonged residence in the UK. The reasons for visiting the UK may vary over time, which UKVI accept, provided the visa holder continues to engage in permitted visitor activities.

For overseas nationals seeking more reliable options for longer-term stay in the UK, get in touch with us to establish how we can help establish lawful residence in the UK .

The available visa types depend on the applicants purpose for coming to the UK. Under the UK's Immigration Rules, various long-term visa options cater to those coming to the UK for work , study, or to join immediate family.

Family visas

Spouse visa , Civil partner visa , Visa's for parents of children living in the UK , and visa's for adult dependent relatives . These visas are tailored for overseas nationals seeking to live with family members already settled in the UK. Successful visa holders, provided they maintain eligibility requirements, can eventually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, allowing them to settle in the United Kingdom.

Additionally, immediate relatives of overseas nationals can apply for a dependent visa while residing in the UK under the sponsorship of a family member who holds permission as either a migrant worker or a student. This option offers a more suitable long-term alternative to a visitor visa, enabling overseas couples and their children to live together in the UK until the primary visa holder's permission comes to an end, at which point they may be required to return to their home country again.

It is crucial to note that when deciding on the appropriate visa, seeking expert immigration advice is highly recommended. This will help you explore all available options and determine the one that best suits your needs.

Contact our own immigration adviser

Several work visas exist, each with specific requirements. For example, the skilled worker visa necessitates a job offer that meets skill and salary criteria from a UK-licensed sponsor. There are also unsponsored long-term work routes, including the global talent visa, graduate visa, and scale-up visa (sponsored for the first 6 months of work). The conditions and length of stay under a work visa vary, but many work visas offer a path to settlement, enabling visa holders to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK if they meet continuous residence requirements.

While a foreigner can study in the UK for up to 6 months under a long-term visitor visa, those looking to undertake lengthy courses of study require a student visa. To obtain a student visa, applicants must have an offer from a UK-licensed sponsor and sufficient financial support. Student visa holders can stay in the UK for the entire duration of their course and, upon completion, can apply for an unsponsored graduate visa to seek employment.

Is the UK 180-day rule per visit or per year?

The 180-day rule for UK visitors applies per visit, not per year. Under the visitor rules, an overseas national can cumulatively stay for more than 180 days in any 12-month period through two or more separate trips.

Can I exit the UK after 6 months and come back?

It is possible to stay in the UK for up to 6 months under a long-term visitor visa and then depart and return shortly after, provided the visa is not being used for extended periods of residency in the UK.

How many times can you visit the UK in a year?

Under a multiple-entry visa, you can visit the UK several times over a 12-month period, with each stay limited to 6 months. This dispels the myth that a person cannot stay more than 180 days in any given year.

Can I exit and re-enter the UK on a visitor visa?

You can exit and re-enter the UK under a multiple-entry visitor visa, but you must not use the visa to establish extended residency through frequent and successive visits or to make the UK your primary home.

Can I apply for a Spouse visa if I exceed 180 days in UK?

There is no specific restriction within the immigration rules preventing an application being submitted and considered for Leave to Enter, although exceptions do apply such as overstaying, or previously breaching UK Immigration rules.

Generally, speaking UKVI caseworkers assess applicant’s eligibility requirements associated to the application route being applied under. For example, Spouse applications are considered based on the eligible partner who needs to be either an Irish / British citizen, or an overseas national holding Indefinite leave to remain and both parties are over 18 years old at the submission date and they are either living and settled in UK or returning together to permanently settle in the United Kingdom whilst demonstrating their partner the applicant has also met all eligibility criteria associated to this particular application route.

In conclusion

Understanding the nuances of the UK visitor visa rules is essential to ensure that your stay in the UK aligns with your intentions and complies with immigration regulations. Always consider seeking professional guidance to make informed decisions regarding your visa options to stay in the United Kingdom.

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An Easy Guide to the 90/180 Rule for the Schengen Area in Europe

Last Updated: April 5, 2023

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If you’re here, you’re probably (like many travellers) attempting to navigate the confusing rules of the European Schengen Area. 

I mean, what is the 90/180 rule? How do you count the 90 days once you’re in Europe? When does the 90 day allowance ‘reset’? All valid questions, my friend, so let me help by explaining things so clearly, even a drunk corgi would get them.

Below is my easy breezy guide to understanding the Schengen Area, its confusing 90/180 day rule, and all the ways you can use it to legally stay in Europe far longer than 3 months.

Beware: I’m only speaking from my own research and personal experience a very privileged (Canadian) passport holder, so if you have more specific questions (especially related to applying for a visa), I am not your girl. I hope you find this general overview helpful though!

If you’re visiting Europe soon, be sure to also check out these posts:

• How to Find the Cheapest Flights to Europe
• The Cheapest Ways to Travel Around Europe
• The Best Travel Apps for Europe
• How to Avoid Pickpockets in Europe
• 40+ One Week Itineraries for Europe You’ll Want to Steal ASAP
• How to Pack for Europe in the Summer
• How to Pack for Europe in the Winter

Save this Guide to the Schengen Area 90/180 Rule for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

First: What is the Schengen Area?

A lot of first time visitors mistakenly assume there are no passport controls throughout Europe. This is untrue, and only applies to a select group of 27 countries in Europe known as the Schengen Area.

The name comes from the small Luxembourgish village of Schengen, where the agreement establishing the original Schengen Area (initially just France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) were first signed back in 1985.

Today, the Schengen Area encompasses a 27 country “area without internal border controls “ spread across over 4 million square kilometres.

Practically speaking, for travellers this means that once you enter the Schengen Area, you have free movement within Schengen countries, and won’t need to get your passport checked every time you cross the border (unless in extenuating circumstances). If you leave a Schengen Area country to go to a non-Schengen country however, passport control will proceed as usual.

This is why the maximum amount of time you’re allowed to stay (e.g. through a visa or through a visa waiver program) will apply to the entire Schengen Area and not just for one single country. In many cases, the allowance is 90 days out of every 180 days, AKA the 90/180 rule.

This is why many long-term travellers in Europe will strategically mix Schengen and non-Schengen countries to legally extend their time on the continent further… but more on this later!

List of Schengen Countries

As of 2023, the countries belonging to the Schengen Zone include…

• Liechtenstein
• The Netherlands
• Switzerland 

To re-iterate: You will typically only go through passport control upon your entry to the Schengen Zone, and upon exit as well, so if you are simply travelling between any of these countries, then you will not need to go through passport control each time.

How Long You Can Stay in the Schengen Area

For many passport holders (including Canadians, Americans, Brits, and Australians, plus over 50 other countries ), we are granted a visa exemption for tourism, and do not need to apply for a special Schengen visa.

This means that we are allowed to enter the Schengen Zone with just our passports. Generally, under these circumstances, we are allowed to stay for 90 days within a 180 day timeframe.

For other passport holders ( see here for a full list ), they must apply for a Schengen Visa in advance. The short stay Schengen Visas (Type C) used for tourism are typically issued for 90 days within a 180 day time frame.

But what exactly does “90 days within a 180 day time frame” even mean?

As taken from the official europa.eu website , “You can stay 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area”, and the following things must be taken into account:

• Your date of entry = your first day of stay in the Schengen Area
• Your date of exit = your last day of stay in the Schengen territory
• The 180-day period is a moving window, “based on the approach of looking backwards at each day of the stay”

Confusing, right? The easiest way I can explain it is this: when you leave the Schengen Zone, you basically need to be able to look back on the past 180 days and say you have not exceeded a 90 day stay within this period.

If you have, then you may be subjected to certain penalties like a fine, deportation or even a ‘re-entry ban’.

How to Easily Calculate the Number of Days You’ve Been in the Schengen Area

The official Europa.eu website has a calculator you can use here that helps calculate for you, which allows you to create an account (so you can go back and edit dates as you see fit). 

Common Misconceptions About the Schengen Area

While the 90/180 Day rule doesn’t sound too complicated once you get the hang of it, there are a few common misconceptions that trip people up, so I want to quickly cover them to ensure you don’t make the same mistake.

First of all, contrary to popular belief, your 90 day allowance doesn’t just reset every time you leave the Schengen Zone.

For example, if you spend 30 days in the Schengen Zone and then go home to your non-Schengen country for 60 days, you do NOT get a fresh 90 days again the next time you re-enter. Those first 30 days you spent still count, so plan a trip assuming you have a new 90 days to work with.

Remember, what’s important is picturing yourself on your departure date exiting the Schengen Zone and looking back on the past 180 days. If you were in the Schengen Zone more than 90 days during that 180 day period, then that’s when you’ve overstayed and are potentially subject to penalties.

Another common mistake is when people simplify the 90/180 Schengen Area rule to “three months out of 6 months”. This simplification doesn’t really work since different months have a different number of days, so remember to count days, rather than months.

Lastly, remember that the Schengen Zone and the EU are not the same thing. Despite significant overlap, not all EU countries are in the Schengen Zone, and there are some non-EU countries in the Schengen Zone as well, so be sure to triple check before assuming a country’s Schengen status.

90/180 Schengen Rule with Extenuating Circumstances (e.g. Student Visas)

Now you might be wondering how the 90/180 day works when you have an overlapping visa, or other extenuating circumstances.

This was exactly my predicament when I did my Study Abroad, for which I had a student visa. I wanted to go backpacking after my semester, so how long would I have? What happens with the 90/180 day rule when you have a student visa? Does the 90 days automatically kick in after your student visa expires? Do you have to cross the border and come back in first?

I was so panicked and nervous that I read every single Reddit thread in the deep trenches of the Internet, reached out to MANY people, including the Canadian consulate in Munich, who firstly misunderstood my question then ghosted me when I clarified… and even still I couldn’t get an answer for the life of me.

The annoying thing is it really depends on the particular passport officer that you have that day.

The most official feedback I received though was when I was actually at the German border, leaving. I figured might as well try to get an official answer while I was there, and (no joke) the first passport officer paused, thought about it for a long time, and then had to call a superior on the phone and chat about it for 5 minutes.

In the end, he told me that the 90/180 day allowance would only kick in after I RE-ENTERED the Schengen Area after leaving on my student visa.

So, there you have it – the official word from a German passport control officer back in 2016.

If you want to be on the safe side then, assuming you plan to stay an extra 90 days in the Schengen Area after another visa of yours expires, you should ensure that you leave the Schengen Area before that visa and come back in with a new entry stamp that proves when you entered the Schengen Zone.

This way, there is official proof of your 90 days kicking in, and you don’t need to be a blubbering ball of anxiety like me.

How Strict Are They in Enforcing the 90/180 Rule?

As someone who has spent a LOT of time weaving in and out of the Schengen Area, I have one thing to say: everything comes down to the passport control officer you have on that day.

I’ve read a lot of generalizations about passport control in different countries, saying things like “Oh, well they’re stricter in countries like Germany but less strict in countries like Spain” and I really don’t think this kind of dialogue is helpful, because at the end of the day, it depends 100% on the individual passport control officer.

In every country, you’ll have some passport control officers who flip through every single page of your passport to identify stamps and do the math, while there will also be others who barely look and just stamp you in/out. It’s down to the individual, so don’t assume that they won’t check because you’re going to a ‘chiller’ country – it doesn’t work like that.

In any case, I would never recommend overstaying your Schengen allowance. While the odds of you getting caught and blacklisted from re-entering aren’t super high, I’m just not willing to take that risk.

It’s important to note as well that they don’t care if you did it on purpose or by accident. Overstaying = overstaying in their books, so while you could maybe play up the uninformed tourist bit, the likelihood that it will help (again) comes down to how your passport control officer is feeling that day.

So, in sum: don’t overstay your 90 days! Instead, empower yourself by learning the rules, and planning your trip in a way that ensures you never overstay.

On that note, let’s talk about…

How to Use the 90/180 Day Schengen Area Rule to Legally Stay in Europe Longer

Now that you understand the whole ’90 days in 180 days’ thing, how can you use this knowledge to your advantage?

Well, if you’re planning on travelling around Europe for more than 90 days, what you can do is create an itinerary that includes both Schengen and non-Schengen countries. This is one of my top Europe backpacking tips for first-timers.

For example, let’s say you wanted to spend 90 days in the Schengen Zone, plus 10 days in the UK, 10 days in Ireland, and 10 days in Bulgaria. That could help you extend your trip to 120 days total.

If you were crafty about it, you could even continue doing this indefinitely for an ultra-long Europe trip.

I spent a while hopping in and out of the Schengen Zone when I first started dating my boyfriend, and wasn’t (yet) ready to commit to a full visa in Germany.

Having done it, the upside of this strategy is you get to visit a lot of really amazing countries that (in my opinion) don’t get nearly the amount of love they deserve from overseas visitors.

I’ve written in the past about all the cool things you can do in Bulgaria for instance, or about all the best places to visit in England besides London.

Another bonus is many non-Schengen countries (with the exception of the UK and Ireland) tend to be more affordable destinations than their Schengen counterparts, which helps you stretch your travel budget further as well.

And if you’re worried about doing this – don’t be! So long as you get your calculations correct, there is nothing legally wrong with you hopping in and out of the Schengen Zone to extend your stay as a tourist.

Take it from me – I’m the kind of person who is a nervous wreck in my peaceful day to day life, so can you imagine what an utter wreck I am at border controls?

The kind of wreck that used to travel with a detailed spreadsheet of all her travel dates, just to show passport control officers ‘just in case’. The kind of wreck who has read the rules so thoroughly that she picks fights with airline employees about them…… and wins.

So, yes, I do know a thing or two about the Schengen Area. And I can tell you there’s no need to worry, so long as you understand the rules and know your rights as a traveller.

Any more questions about the Schengen Area 90/180 Day Rule?

Let me know in the comments. I hope you found this post helpful!

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Europe’s 90/180 Day Visa Rule Explained

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

You need a visa if you are British and want to spend more than three months in Europe without breaking the 90/180-day rule.

Brexit has ended the special arrangements that European Union membership offered British travellers.

Now, to stay for longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, expats need a visa – and to make sure visitors keep to the rules, their passports are date stamped on entry and exit.

Many expats opt for golden visas . But these have a lot of rules that need to be met before being issues.

Table of contents

The 90/180-day rule, how the 90-180 rule works, staying in europe for more than 90 days, how do i apply to visit the schengen zone, europe’s 90/180-day visa rule faq, related information.

Many travellers are confused by the 90/180-day rule agreed upon between the UK and the European Union.

The rule allows British travellers to spend up to 90 days visiting more than one country in any 180-day period.

The length of time travellers can stay depends on whether the country is within the Schengen visa-free travel zone.

The rule does not allow travellers to work in the place they are visiting.

The Schengen Zone covers most EU states, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania are not in the Schengen Zone. Travellers can spend up to 90 days in 180 days in these countries, but the number of days does not count towards the 90/180 day Schengen Zone rule.

The rule says a stay cannot last more than 90 days in any 180-day rolling period. To check a visit is within the limit, try the following:

• Find the date you intend to leave the Schengen Zone on your next trip
• Trackback 180 days to find the date the 180-day period starts
• Count the number of days spent in the Schengen Zone during that 180-day period
• If you are making more than one trip in 180 days, add the number of days that trip lasts to the count above – it doesn’t matter if the trips are to different Schengen countries.

If the days in Europe add up to more than 90, you need to adjust your time in Europe or apply for a visa.

Once the 90-day cap is reached, a traveller must wait another 90 days before re-entering the Schengen Zone.

A frequent traveller had no trips to Europe in 2022, but several booked for 2023.

The first is a 10-day Schengen Zone visit starting from January 1. The relevant 180 days count back from the end of the visit (January 10), giving a score of 10 out of 180, so the trip is within the rule’s parameters.

The next trip is 30 days in the Schengen Zone from March 1, then seven days in Romania. The 180-day period now runs back from the end of the trip – April 7. The number of days in Europe for that 180-day period is now 47, but seven are excluded as they are outside the Schengen Zone to Romania.

The tally so far is 47 less seven, making 40 relevant days.

From June 1, the traveller spends another 30 days in the Schengen Zone. The 180-day period runs from January 2 until June 30, with 70 days spent in Europe.

Don’t forget the 90/180-day visa is for short stays. For anything longer, including tourist visits, travellers need q formal residence, work or study visa.

The list of requirements differs between countries, so find out the latest details from the consulate or embassy of the country you are visiting.

British travellers can find the latest advice on the UK government’s website .

ETIAS, a European Union body, runs the Schengen Zone visa process.

Visitors can check their visa eligibility and apply online for the documents through the ETIAS website .

The visa application fee is seven euros.

The Schengen Zone is a visa-free travel area compromising most European Union countries. Effectively, after crossing into one Schengen country, you can travel on to cross borders into any number of other Schengen countries without any restrictions.

The Schengen Zone covers most European Union states, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

A visa is conditional permission granted by a government to a foreign visitor to enter, stay in or leave a country or territory.

A passport is a government-issued document verifying a traveller’s citizenship and identity. A visa is a temporary document placed within a passport confirming the holder can stay in another country for a specific time.

For stays beyond 180 days, travellers need permission to live, work or study in most European countries. Many governments consider six months (180 days) when residence kicks in and visitors become liable to pay taxes.

Outstaying the 90-day visa can lead to imposing one or more of: – Fines – Deportation – A ban from entering the Schengen Zone

The time limits apply to any days spent in the Schengen Zone, regardless of what happens. So, if a traveller lands at Calais and spends two days crossing France for Switzerland, where they have booked a 14-night stay, books the time as 18 days. That’s two days each way in France plus the stay in Switzerland.

Full-time students studying within the Schengen Zone must apply for a visa. Students visiting Europe for workshops, conferences or short-stay classes probably don’t but check the local consulate or embassy to be sure.

Schengen visas are OK if you visit Europe on business but do not intend to work while on your trip. Conferences, client meetings and site visits are OK without a work visa but you must still obey the 90/180-day rule.

Below is a list of related articles you may find of interest.

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2 thoughts on “Europe’s 90/180 Day Visa Rule Explained”

Everything I read relates to people using the full 90 days. Many won’t use the full amount. I was in Spain : 11/06/22 -18/03/22 7 days

31/10/22 – 29/11/22. 28 days

03/03/23 – 29/03/23. 27 days My question is can I return 10/10/23 – 18/11/23 for 34 days?

What if I live in Northern Ireland and have a British passport

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European visa waiver: when must I apply for an Etias and how will travel from the UK work

Extra red tape due to brexit will likely to be mandatory for travel from the uk to the schengen area from november 2025, article bookmarked.

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British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area will need to apply in advance for an online permit to visit from November 2025, according to current plans in Brussels.

EU officials have confirmed that the much delayed “ entry-exit system ” will take effect on 10 November 2024. From that date, every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area must, in theory at least, be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland and Cyprus, which are in the European Union but outside Schengen.)

Six months later after EES takes effect – ie in May 2025 according the latest plan – the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System ( Etias ) will launch. But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional.

What is Etias?

British travellers and those from all other “third-country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chose to become after Brexit ) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out.

Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme (but cheaper at €7/£6 and valid for longer: three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first).

“UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period),” says the EU.

“Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.” The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland and Cyprus) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

When will I need one?

The European Union says: “Starting in the first half of 2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.”

That sounds ominous for British travellers to Europe in summer 2025. But fortunately “required” is not accurate in that statement.

The EU also says: “The launch of Etias in mid-2025 will be followed by a transitional period of at least six months. This means that, for travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.”

Those conditions are basically the existing requirements for passport validity:

• Issued no more than 10 years earlier on the day of entry to the European Union.
• Valid for at least three months on the intended day of departure from the EU.

So it will not be mandatory for prospective UK visitors to apply online for permission to enter the Schengen Area until November 2025 at the earliest.

Even then, once the “transitional period” is over, a further “grace period” of at least six months will apply on a one-time only basis to British travellers who turn up without an Etias.

The European Union says: “There is an exception: only those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an Etias provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.

“All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an Etias travel authorisation.”

The grace period will last at least six months.

This detail is exhausting. Can you provide a quick timeline?

10 November 2024 (confirmed): EU entry-exit system comes into effect, requiring British passport holders to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric on entry to the European Union and wider Schengen Area (but not Ireland or Cyprus).

May 2025 (unconfirmed, but no earlier): Etias online permit becomes available, with a transitional period of at least six months during which Etias is optional.

November 2025 (unconfirmed, but no earlier): Etias transitional period ends. Grace period begins, giving travellers without an Etias a one-time only pass.

May 2026 (unconfirmed, but no earlier): Grace period ends; all British passport holders must have an Etias.

How will I apply?

At the heart of the system is an Etias website . An app will follow (any apps that currently purport to be official EU Etias apps are imposters).

Travellers will be required to submit personal information including name, address, contact details in Europe and passport data. They must also state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational establishment.

The applicant must give details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years.

Travellers must also provide the reason for their journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will first arrive in, and provide the address of their first night’s stay – which will pose a problem for tourists who like to make plans as they go along.

It is likely that for subsequent journeys the traveller will not be expected to update the information.

The fee is €7 (£6) for all applicants aged 18 to 70. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, they need not pay.

What happens to the information?

Every application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as “a dedicated Etias watch-list”.

The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.

In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?

Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.

How far in advance must I apply?

The aim is for an Etias to be granted in most circumstances within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.

If an application is flagged (ie there is a “hit” with one of the databases) the prospective visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked “to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days”.

The European Union says: “We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.”

If I get an Etias, must I print anything out?

No. The frontier guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias.

Will my Etias be checked before departure to the EU?

Yes. Most British travellers to Europe will have their Etias status checked by the airline, as currently happens with travel to the US (Esta), Canada (eTA) and many other countries.

Airlines are obliged to ensure passenger comply with the immigration rules of the destination. A couple of them made a complete mess of it when the post-Brexit passport regime took effect, and invented their own rules .

To try to avoid a repeat, I have written to the airlines’ representative body to try to ensure that they are fully aware of the “optional” nature of Etias during the transitional and grace periods before it becomes mandatory.

For subsequent trips, must I amend the online information about the purpose where I am staying?

My understanding is that information on where you are going and staying, and the reason for your trip. is needed only at the application stage. The form should be completed with reference to your first journey.

As with the US Esta, after you have been admitted once and returned home you should be able to enter again without updating such information online.

Is Etias a visa?

This answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it is exactly the opposite of a visa. Europe says that Etias is “a pre-travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers”. It is a similar concept to the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.

But Etias requires visitors to:

• Apply in advance
• Provide substantial personal information
• Be issued with a permit to cross a border.

So I contend it amounts to a normal person’s understanding of a visa.

Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?

No. “Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry,” says the EU. As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason, with the Etias permission rescinded.

Must I apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?

No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is the earlier. (Note also that British passports must not be over 10 years old on the day of entry to the European Union .)

Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?

No. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, and the Common Travel Area – incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – transcends European Union rules.

If I have a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?

How are people without internet access supposed to apply.

They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.

Just remind us about the 90/180 day rule?

This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.

As an example of what it means: if you were to spend the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until late June.

Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?

No. Work on strengthening the European Union’s external border was already under way before the UK referendum on membership in June 2016. Initially British officials participated in plans for the entry-exit system.

Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK was still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classified as third-country nationals – triggering extra red tape.

Will Etias be the next online scam?

Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed.

But according to Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias – there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic €7 (£6).

Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted. One “imposter” site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere.

Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.

Frontex also warns about the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to imposter sites.

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Is There a UK Visitor Visa 180 Days Rule?

Anne morris.

• 11 January 2023

IN THIS SECTION

It’s a common misconception that overseas visitors can only spend up to 6 months in any 12-month period in the UK. That is not to say that a 180-day rule does not exist, it does, but only insofar as the maximum length of stay for each standard visit is limited to 6 months.

In this guide, we look at the so-called ‘UK visitor visa 180 days rule’, dispelling the myth that visitors cannot stay in the UK for more than 180 days in total in any given year.

What is the misconception when it comes to the 180-day rule?

The 180 day visitor rule is commonly misunderstood as meaning that any person who enters the UK with a visitor visa cannot stay more than 180 days in any single 12-month period. This common misconception has also taken the shape of the 6 month time-limit set out under the rules being misinterpreted as a rule that visitors can spend no more than 6 months out of any 12 months inside the UK. In reality, the ‘UK visitor visa 180 days rule’ does not exist in this way. For example, it is not the case that if an overseas national comes to the UK with a visitor visa and stays between January to May and, having returned to their home country, comes back to the UK under a new visa for a further stay in October of the same year, they would only be able to stay for an additional month. Similarly, if that same person initially came to the UK on a long-term visitor visa, spent 5 months in the UK and then sought to re-visit later in the year, it is not the case that they would only be allowed to stay for a further four weeks. As such, the 180-day rule is misconceived.

How long can visitors stay in the UK?

Under the UK’s Immigration Rules for visitors, or otherwise under immigration law in the UK, there is no such thing as the ‘UK visitor visa 180 days rule’. The true position, when it comes to a standard visitor visa, is as follows: for those seeking to visit the UK to undertake the activities as permitted under the rules, for example, for the purposes of tourism, visiting friends and family, or for short business trips, a visa will be granted for ‘up to 6 months’.

The maximum 6-month rule essentially means that an overseas national, when coming to the UK as a standard visitor to take a holiday, spend time with loved ones or to do business, will be able to stay for no more than 6 months at a time. In some cases, depending on the reason for their visit, a visa may only be granted for the time required for their specified purpose. However, with the grant of a new visa, or with a multiple entry visa valid over several years, there is no limit as to how long someone can spend in the UK during the course of any 12-month period, such as ‘6 months in 12’. This means that, at least in theory, an overseas national can leave the UK following a full 6-month visit, re-apply for a visa from overseas and subsequently return to the UK, even if this is just a few short weeks later.

Multiple entry rules for UK visitors

For regular visitors to the UK, it is possible to apply for a multiple-entry visa over 2, 5 or 10 years, where there is again no specified time limit over which a long-term visa-holder can spend in the UK in any given period — provided each visit does not exceed the maximum period for that stay, typically 6 months. As such, even though a multiple-entry visa will not allow an overseas national to come to the UK for more than 6 months at any one time, it will enable the visa-holder to enjoy multiple UK trips over prolonged periods. In this way, the visa-holder will not be required to re-apply for a visa every time they decide to visit the UK, but can use the same visa a number of times over its’ specified period of validity.

Equally, a standard visitor visa, provided that this is not endorsed as ‘single’ or ‘dual-entry’, can be used multiple times. This means that the visa-holder can depart and re-enter the UK as many times as they want within the visa’s validity period, up to a maximum of 6 months.

If a visitor holds a multiple-entry visa and they want to stay for longer than their visa expiry date, it is also possible for them to apply to extend their permission for up to the maximum 6 months permitted for standard visitors. For example, if a visitor arrives in the January and their long-term visitor visa is due to expire in the March, provided they continue to meet the visitor rules, they can extend for up to 6 months as a standard visitor, until the June.

An in-country application can also be made to extend a standard visa, so as to complete the full 6 months in the UK as a visitor where a shorter period has initially been granted, although an application must be made before the original permission expires.

What are the risks for visitors of multiple prolonged stays?

Under the visitor rules, provided each stay in the UK does not exceed the permitted length of stay endorsed on the visa, this does not, of itself, prevent a visitor from using their visa for multiple stays in quick succession. However, this is where the rules become tricky.

To be eligible for a visa, visitors must meet a genuine visitor requirement. Under this requirement, amongst other things, they must not use their visa to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent and successive visits, or make the UK their main home. As such, where a long-term visitor visa is used for multiple prolonged stays over a short timeframe, this may raise suspicions that the visa-holder’s intentions are not genuine.

In those cases where an individuals’ recent travel history reveals back-to-back visits, each one up to the maximum 6-month time limit, this is likely to be construed by immigration officials as a breach of the rules. This means that, on arrival in the UK, a visa-holder may be refused entry . They also run the risk of having their visitor visa curtailed , presenting potentially insurmountable difficulties when re-applying for entry clearance at a later date.

Equally, for those citizens of countries that qualify for visa-free travel to the UK, known as non-visa nationals, in circumstances where their travel history reveals excessive visits within a short space of time, they may also find themselves being refused entry on arrival. Having been refused entry, these individuals would be well-advised to apply for a visa in advance before seeking to re-enter the UK although, as with non-visa nationals subject to immigration control, any adverse immigration history may still work against them.

Ironically, therefore, the mythical 180-day rule can still be applied in practice. This is because visiting the UK for more than 180 days in a 12-month period could lead to a finding by both immigration officials at a UK port of entry, and Home Office caseworkers tasked with making a visa decision, that an individual is a non-genuine visitor.

Importantly, in the official Home Office ‘Visit guidance’ on how to assess if an applicant is making the UK their main home, caseworkers are advised to check a visitor’s travel history, including how long they are spending in the UK and how frequently they are returning. Specifically, caseworkers are advised to look at the number of visits made over the course of the past 12 months, including the length of stay on each occasion, the time elapsed since the last visit and if this amounts to them spending more time in the UK than in their home country. So whilst the ‘UK visitor visa 180 days rule’ is not in any way codified, adherents to this myth do tend to have less trouble being granted entry to the UK as visitors.

What are the immigration options for longer term stays?

Notwithstanding the potential risks for regular visitors to the UK around long-term visitor visas, provided this type of visa is not used excessively, they can still be an ideal way to visit the UK a number of times over several years. Importantly, if a person holds a multiple-entry visa, it is likely that their reasons for visiting the UK will differ over time and should not, of itself, cast any doubt on their genuineness and credibility. This is permissible, provided the via-holder continues to intend to undertake one or more of the permitted visitor activities.

However, for overseas nationals who would like a more reliable option for longer term stays, the type of visa potentially available will very much depend on the reason for them coming to the UK. Under the UK’s Immigration Rules, there are various long-term visa options for those looking to come to the UK to work, to study or to join immediate relatives.

There are various different work visas under the rules, each with their own route-specific requirements, such as having the offer of a job that meets the minimum skill and salary requirements from a UK-licensed sponsor for the skilled worker visa. There are also certain unsponsored longer term work routes, including the global talent visa and the graduate visa, plus the scale up visa, sponsored only for the first 6 months of work in the UK.

The conditions of stay and length of time granted under a work visa can vary, depending on the chosen route, although many work visas will provide the successful visa-holder with a path to settlement. This means that, provided the visa-holder meets a continuous residence requirement, they can eventually apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK.

Study visas

Even though a foreign visitor can study for up to 6 months in the UK under a long-term visitor visa, provided certain eligibility requirements are met, for overseas nationals looking to undertake a lengthy course of study in the UK, they will need a student visa .

An applicant can apply for a student visa to undertake a course of study in the UK if they have been offered a place on a course by a UK-licensed sponsor and have enough money to support themselves. The student visa-holder will then be permitted to stay in the UK for the full duration of their course. On successful completion of their studies, the visa-holder will also have the option of applying for an unsponsored graduate visa to look for work.

Family visas

There are various long-term family visas available to allow an overseas national to live with their immediate family in the UK, including a spouse visa, a visa for parents of children living in the UK and a visa for adult dependent relatives. These visas are specifically aimed at overseas nationals coming to live with someone already settled in the UK. As such, the successful visa-holder, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements, will eventually be able to apply for ILR to be able to settle in the UK themselves.

It is also possible for immediate relatives of overseas nationals to apply for a visa as the dependant of someone currently in the UK with permission as either a migrant worker or student. This may represent a more suitable long-term alternative to a visitor visa, allowing overseas couples and their children to live together in the UK until the permission of the primary visa-holder comes to an end and they are required to return to their home country.

Importantly, however, before deciding on the right visa, it is always best to seek expert immigration advice, exploring all available options to help decide which one works best.

180 day rule FAQs

Is the uk 180 day rule per visit or per year.

The 180-day rule for UK visitors applies per visit, not per year. Under the visitor rules, an overseas national can cumulatively stay for more than 180 days in any 12-month period over the course of two or more separate trips.

Can I leave the UK after 6 months and come back?

It is possible to stay in the UK for up to 6 months under a long-term visitor visa, and then depart and return shortly after, provided the visa is not being used to live in the UK for extended periods.

How many times can you visit UK in a year?

Under a multiple-entry visa, you can visit the UK several times over a 12-month period, limited to 6 months each stay, where the rule that a person cannot stay more than 180 days in any given year is a myth.

Can I leave and reenter UK on visitor visa?

You can leave and re-enter the UK under a multiple-entry visitor visa, although you must not use your visa to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent and successive visits, or to make the UK your main home.

Last updated: 11 January 2023

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

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Updates, commentary, training and advice on immigration and asylum law

• 11th July 2023
• BY John Vassiliou

There is no 180 day a year rule for visitors to the UK

Table of Contents

One of the most common UK immigration myths is that there is a maximum permitted stay of 180 days in a year (or six months in 12 months) for UK visitors.  This myth has been propagated not just by migrants but also by advisers and even UK Border Force staff. In reality, there is no such rule.  

The widely held belief goes something like this: a visitor to the UK can spend no more than six months out of any 12 inside the UK, or alternatively no more than 180 days a year. For example, if the visitor spends three months in the UK between January and March, then comes back in the summer with a new visit visa, they only have three months “left” to spend in the UK for that year — even if the new visa grants leave for six months.

As with other myths, this tale varies in its telling, with some believing that the six-month cap runs from January to December and “resets” each calendar year, while others believe it is based on a rolling 12-month period. I’ve seen impressive Excel spreadsheets charting both, sometimes created at the insistence of an overzealous / bored immigration official.

Despite there being no such rule or requirement, adherents to this myth do tend to have less trouble being granted entry to the UK as visitors. That’s because staying in the UK for an extended period does increase the risk of being refused a visit visa for the next trip, as it could be an indication that the stay is not a genuine visit. It’s just that spending a total of 181 days a year in the UK is not really any more of a red flag than a total of 180. Now, before any visitors reading this gleefully rub their hands at the prospect of some magical loophole allowing them to overstay beyond the expiry date of their visa: you still have to adhere to your visa expiry date. What I am saying is that if you are granted leave to enter for six months, you can lawfully stay that full six months (subject to the health warning further down in this post). And if you are granted leave to enter for six months again not long after, you can stay for a further six months. Let’s take a look at what the actual rules are, explain why the 180 day rule is a myth — and why following it can still work to your advantage.

The visit rules

The visit rules are set out at Appendix V to the Immigration Rules. A visitor is defined as

a person who wants to visit the UK for a temporary period, (usually for up to 6 months), for purposes such as tourism, visiting friends or family, carrying out a business activity, or undertaking a short course of study.

Visitors from a country on the visa national list must obtain a visit visa in advance of travel to the UK. Non-visa national visitors (ie those from a country not on the visa national list) can normally just travel to the UK and seek entry as a visitor at the border on arrival.

I’ve been unable to find any trace of a “six months in 12” visitor rule anywhere in the Immigration Rules, past or present (and nor can Colin for what it’s worth!) Maybe someone longer in the tooth of greater wisdom and experience might recall a time when there was such a rule, but as far as I can tell, the myth may have been fuelled by conflation of immigration rules with tax rules. Spending over 183 days in the UK in any tax year may trigger UK tax residency. It may have also simply arisen from conflating other immigration rules and policies, as well as general prudence on the part of visitors.

There is, for example, a limit on the amount of time that can be spent in the UK on any one trip.

Maximum stay per visit

The maximum duration of stay in one standard visit is six months. For “visa nationals”, i.e. those who must obtain entry clearance prior to travelling to the UK, the six-month validity period will be stated on their entry clearance vignette in their passport. The holder can stay in the UK for as long as they like during that period, and even depart and re-enter, so long as they go by the expiry date. The mechanics behind this are set out at section 4 of the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000.

That six-month limit on any one stay applies even if someone holds a visit visa which is valid for much longer, such as a two-year, five-year or ten-year multi-entry visa. The visitor is permitted to stay in the UK for a maximum of six months from the date of any given entry (or up to the expiry date on the visa, whichever is soonest). Every time they arrive at the border, notwithstanding the fact that they hold entry clearance, the immigration officer will scrutinise them and determine whether or not to grant them entry in line with the visit visa rules.

Example Rodrigo is a Filipino national. Filipinos are visa nationals and must apply for a visit visa before coming to the UK. Rodrigo is granted a two-year multi-entry visit visa valid from 14 May 2020 to 14 May 2022. Rodrigo can come to the UK as many times as he likes during this time, as long as he does not stay for more than 6 months at a time and does not stay beyond 14 May 2022. Every time he enters, he will need to satisfy the immigration officer that his visit is consistent with the visit visa rules. If he does, he will be allowed to stay for up to six months (or until 14 May 2022, whichever is sooner). As long as he adheres to this, there is no cumulative maximum time per year that he is allowed to spend in the UK.

For “non-visa nationals” who don’t have to apply before they travel, such as Americans or Canadians, this six-month period will run from their date of entry to the UK.

Example Karen is a US national. US nationals are non-visa nationals and do not have to apply for a visit visa in advance; they can simply arrive and seek entry as a visitor at the UK border. Every time Karen arrives in the UK to visit, she will have to satisfy the immigration officer that she meets the visit visa rules. If she does, she will be granted leave to enter for six months every time. As long as she is granted leave to enter and does not stay for more than six months at a time, there is no cumulative maximum time per year that she is allowed to spend in the UK.

After the visit is over and the visitor has departed, there is nothing preventing them from applying again for a fresh visit visa, or seeking entry at the border again, subject to them continuing to meet the rules.

What are the criteria for entry as a visitor?

At the risk of being reductive, it’s all about genuineness of intentions. If you are interested in a deeper dive into the ins and outs of the visit visa rules, check out Colin’s and Nick’s post from 2017: What do immigration officers look for when assessing visit visa applications? .

The rules state: 

V 4.2. The applicant must satisfy the decision maker that they are a genuine visitor, which means the applicant: (a) will leave the UK at the end of their visit; and (b) will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home; and (c) is genuinely seeking entry or stay for a purpose that is permitted under the Visitor route as set out in Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities and at V 13.3; and (d) will not undertake any of the prohibited activities set out in V 4.4. to V 4.6; and (e) must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without working or accessing public funds, including the cost of the return or onward journey, any costs relating to their dependants, and the cost of planned activities such as private medical treatment. The applicant must show that any funds they rely upon are held in a financial institution permitted under FIN 2.1 in Appendix Finance.

There are five elements to the genuineness question. None of those elements stipulates a maximum number of days that can be spent in the UK in one year. The closest thing to this is V 4.2(b): 

[the applicant] will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home.

But there is no hard numerical cap on time in vs time out. The language of the rule is much woollier. This builds in flexibility for the officer to make an assessment on a case-by-case basis.

The Home Office has published further guidance on how a decision-maker should assess this aspect of a visit visa applicant’s case. Officials are directed to look at factors such as:

• previous immigration history 
• duration of previous visits and whether this was significantly longer than originally stated on their visa application or on arrival
• the cumulative period of time the applicant has visited the UK and their pattern of travel over the last 12-month period, and whether this amounts to ‘de-facto’ residence in the UK 
• whether, in the official’s judgment, the information and the reasons for the visit or for extending their stay are credible and correspond to their personal, family, social and economic background

The third bullet point suggests that cumulative time in the UK is relevant, but again, it doesn’t go so far as to impose a hard cap.

Crucially, the guidance document also seeks to dispel the six months in 12 months myth:

There is no specified maximum period which an individual can spend in the UK in any period such as ‘6 months in 12 months’. page 22 of 71, version 13, published 22 June 2023

There is a rider that goes back to the question of being a genuine visitor: “however, if it is clear from an applicant’s travel history that they are seeking to remain in the UK for extended periods or making the UK their home you should refuse their application”.

I have noticed a trend in visit visa application refusals where the second bullet point above comes into play. The decision-maker looks at the applicant’s past immigration history and checks if the person has previously visited the UK. If they have, the decision-maker then compares how long the applicant stated on their previous application form that they would stay in the UK against how long they actually stayed for.

For example, the person might have said they were only coming for two weeks but ultimately stayed the full permitted six months. Although they didn’t overstay their visa, the decision-maker will use the discrepancy between stated and actual duration of visit to infer dishonesty which will then be factored into the decision on the new visa. This may seem particularly unfair. I agree, it is, but it does warrant greater care over what is declared on application forms.

Consequences of refusal

If a border officer determines that someone is not a genuine visitor, they can be refused entry and placed on the next flight home. There is no right of appeal against this decision; judicial review is the only remedy to prevent imminent departure. The same goes for advance refusals by officials based in visa application centres.

It is therefore vital that visitors satisfy the decision-maker that their intentions are pure, and this is where adherence to the mythical rule can work to one’s advantage. 

If a visitor spends more than six months per year in the UK, they are spending the majority of their time here. This could be one of many potential indicators that they are living in the UK for an extended period or making the UK their main home.

It will be up to the individual applicant to persuade the decision-maker that this is not the case and that they are still a genuine visitor. Broadly speaking, where visitors have managed to keep their time in the UK below six months in any year, they run less risk of being accused of making the UK their main home and thus have higher prospects of success in being granted entry.

John also discusses this article in a special episode of the Free Movement podcast .

This article was first published on 14 May 2020 and was updated on 11 July 2023.

John Vassiliou

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How to apply for UK visit visa in UAE; process, cost explained

Earlier this year, an electronic travel authorisation was introduced as a replacement for visas for emiratis.

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One of the most popular getaways for UAE residents in the smouldering hot summer is the UK.

The cloudy weather gives residents some much needed respite from the sun – the lifestyle and relatively shorter flight distance makes it popular.

Earlier this year, an Electronic Travel Authorisation was introduced as a replacement for visas to the UK for UAE nationals. The application process is quick and entirely digital, with most visitors applying via a mobile app and receiving a swift decision on their application.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Other nationals residing in the UAE, however, have to apply for a visa to visit, here is how you can apply for the visa:

Applying for a visa to the UK is relatively simple and most of it can be done online.

Step 1: The first thing you must do is find out which visa you need to apply for. While there are multiple types of visas that you could apply for depending on the duration of your stay and purpose of your visit, the most popular one is a 'Standard Visitor Visa'.

Step 2: Find out and prepare your documentation on the basis of the visa you have applied for.

Step 3: Once you have gathered all relevant documents, the next step is to apply for your UK visa. Head to the official website of the UK Government to apply (www.gov.uk)

Step 4: After you complete your application, you will be asked to pay for it online. On completing the payment, you you will receive a reference number, which you must take a note of.

Step 5: Finally, upload all relevant documents with your application online.

Step 6: Now, you have to book and attend an appointment at your closest VFS Application centre in order to submit your biometrics.

Step 7: You will be informed if your visa has been accepted or rejected and will be called to the VFS centre to pick up your passport. In case you want to get it delivered you can do so by paying an additional courier fee.

A 'Standard Visitor Visa' costs £115 (approximately Dh554) for up to six months.

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Travelling to the EU and Schengen area

You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply:

• you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period
• you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons

Other reasons include:

• studying a short course
• getting medical treatment
• travelling for business for your UK employer, for example to attend a business meeting or conference
• journalism or other media activities

Check the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting to find out what you can and cannot do during your stay.

These rules do not apply to travelling and working in Ireland .

Travelling to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period

You can travel to more than one country in a 180-day period. How long you can stay in each country depends on whether or not it’s in the Schengen area.

The countries in the Schengen area are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

To work out if your stay is within the 90 day limit, use the following steps.

Check the date you plan to leave the Schengen area on your next trip.

Count back 180 days from that date to get the start of the 180-day period.

Add up the number of days you have already spent in the Schengen area in that 180-day period (you can use the dates stamped in your passport showing when you entered and left a country).

Work out how many days you will spend in the Schengen area on your next trip. Add this number to the number of days you worked out in step 3.

Check that the total number of days is not more than 90.

Travelling to Cyprus

Cyprus is not in the Schengen area. You can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period in Cyprus without a visa.

Any time you spend in the Schengen area does not affect the number of days you can spend in Cyprus.

When you may need a visa

​​You may need a visa or permit if you want to either:

• stay for more than 90 days

If you’re travelling for work, check the rules for the country you’re visiting .

If you’re travelling for another reason or staying longer than 90 days, check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting .

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

43 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa [2024 edition]

Updated: March 21, 2024 537 Comments

One of the frequent questions I get is which countries can I visit with a UK visa. The short answer is the UK. The long answer is you can travel to 40 countries and territories VISA-FREE with UK visa.

I encourage you all to get a US visa or at least a Canada visa first. Both these visas are long-term visas. These visas offer VISA-FREE travel to quite a few countries. But if you happen to have a UK visa or applying for one, then it is still better than not having any visas at all. There are about 40 countries and territories you can visit with a UK visa.

UK tourist visas are mostly short-term (C-Type) visas valid for 6 months. The UK does issue long-term visas for 5/10 years but it would cost an arm and a leg.

The UK visa application is not the most difficult, but it can be stressful due to its lengthy processing times and lack of customer service.

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Visa requirements change constantly but we make every effort to keep the information accurate and up to date. We provide links to official sources wherever necessary, so you can conduct your own due diligence to verify the visa requirements before planning your trip. We shall not be held liable for any damages incurred as a result of using the information in this article. Refer to our full disclaimer for more information.

Which UK Visas are eligible?

Depending on the country, any of the below UK visas can be used.

• UK Visitor Visa (Standard visitor and Short-term study)
• UK Student Visa (Tier 4)
• UK Work Visa (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 5)
• UK Transit Visa (DATV and Visitor in Transit)
• UK Family Visa (Spouse)
• UK Residence Permit (ILR and BRP)

Refer to each country below for permitted UK visa types. Some countries require the UK visa to be multiple-entry and have been used at least once to travel to the UK.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

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North America

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities
• Permitted visas: All used/unused multiple-entry UK visas
• Permitted resident permits: All valid ILRs (permanent resident cards)
• Entry granted: Up to 180 days
• UK visa or residence permit must be valid during the entire stay in Mexico
• Passport must be valid during the entire stay in Mexico
• Official source: National Institute of Migration, Mexico

WARNING UK BRP cards are NOT ACCEPTED to enter Mexico. Only valid/unexpired UK visas (visa sticker in the passport) or UK ILR cards (permanent residency) are accepted. Also, if you are from the African continent (ex: Nigeria, Ghana, etc.), please check with Mexican authorities before planning your travel. I’m hearing a lot of stories of entry refusals and deportations at Mexican airports.

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with a US visa in 2024

Central America

02. Costa Rica

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Tier 1, 2, 4 or 5 visas (student and work only)
• Permitted residence permits: All valid ILR and BRPs
• Entry granted: 30 days
• IMPORTANT: UK standard visitor visas are NOT accepted
• UK Tier 1, 2, 4, 5 visas or BRPs must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC, USA
• Permitted visas: All valid used multiple-entry UK visas
• UK visa or residence permit must have been used at least once to enter the UK before
• UK visa or residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Must show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of 500 USD
• Original sources: Embassy of Panama in the USA

RELATED: 38 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Canada visa in 2024

04. Anguilla (British Territory)

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry UK visas
• Entry granted: 90 days
• Official source: The Government of Anguilla

05. Antigua and Barbuda

• Permitted residence permits: A valid ILR (permanent resident permit)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL (VOA)
• VOA fee is 100 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• UK Visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Department of Immigration, Antigua and Barbuda
• Permitted residence permits: All valid ILR and BRPs (applies to all nationalities)
• Official source: Netherlands Worldwide

07. Bahamas

• Permitted residence permits: A valid ILR (permanent resident card)
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas

08. Bermuda (British Territory)

• UK visa or residence permit must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Passport must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Official source: Government of Bermuda

09. Bonaire (Dutch Territory)

10. british virgin islands (british territory).

• Permitted residence permits: None
• Entry granted: 180 days
• Entry rule: UK visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Government of the Virgin Islands (British)

11. Cayman Islands (British Territory)

• Entry rule: Must arrive in the Cayman Islands directly from the UK. Arriving from a third country is not permitted.
• Official source: Cayman Islands Customs and Border Controls

12. Curaçao

13. dominican republic.

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry UK visas, except transit
• Entry rule: If arriving by land or sea, must pay a departure tax of 20 USD before departing. If arriving by air, the departure tax is included in the airfare.
• Official source: Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the UK

14. Jamaica

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Dominican Republic
• Entry rules: UK visa must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Immigration Department of Jamaica

15. Sint Maarten

16. turks and caicos (british territory).

• Official source: Ministry of Border Control of Turks and Caicos

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa in 2024

South America

• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

RELATED: 18 countries you can visit VISA-FREE with an Australian visa or PR in 2024

18. Albania

• Permitted visas: All valid USED multiple-entry UK visas
• Entry rule: UK visa must have been used at least once to enter the UK
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania

19. Armenia

• Marshall Islands
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Entry granted: 21 or 120 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 3,000 AMD, valid for 21 days, single-entry (OR) 15,000 AMD, valid for 120 days, single-entry
• Visa must be a STICKER in the passport, E-Visa prints are not accepted
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

20. Georgia

• UK visa must be valid on the day of arrival in Georgia
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

21. Gibraltar (British Territory)

• UK visa must have been issued for at least 6 months or more
• UK residence permit must have been issued for at least 12 months or more
• Official source: Gibraltar Borders & Coastguards Agency

22. Ireland

• North Macedonia
• Permitted visas: A valid used multiple-entry UK short-stay standard visitor visa
• Entry granted: 90 days or until the exit date on your UK entry stamp, whichever is shorter
• Must enter the UK first before entering Ireland
• Must enter and exit Ireland within the exit date on your UK entry stamp (this is different from the visa expiry date)
• Can enter Ireland directly from the UK or elsewhere, but must enter Ireland within the exit date on the UK entry stamp
• Official source: Department of Justice of Ireland

23. Moldova

• Central African Republic
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• South Africa
• Entry rule: The UK visa or BRP must be valid for the intended period of stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

24. Montenegro

• Entry rule: UK visa must be valid for the intended period of the stay
• Official source: Government of Montenegro

25. North Macedonia

• Entry granted: 15 days
• UK visa must be valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended period of stay
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 3 months in any 6 months period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia
• UK visa must be valid for the entire duration of the stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
• Afghanistan
• Algeria (those aged 15-18 and 35-65)
• North Korea
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Turkey e-Visa online
• eVisa fee is 43 USD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

If you hold a UK visa or BRP, you can follow this  step-by-step guide to apply for Turkey e-Visa . This guide has step-by-step instructions and screenshots to help you fill out the application, pay the visa fee and download your approved e-Visa.

28. United Kingdom (Of course!)

• Includes all parts of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Includes British Crown Dependencies: Isle of Man and the Channel Islands (Bailiwick of Jersey and Bailiwick of Guernsey)

RELATED: 5 ways to get proof of onward travel for your next trip

Middle East

29. Bahrain

• Entry granted: 14 days or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Bahrain eVisa
• Single-entry VOA fee is 5 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry VOA fee is 12 BD, valid for 3 months, entry up to 30 days
• Single-entry eVisa fee is 9 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry eVisa fee is 16 BD, valid for 1 month, entry up to 14 days
• For VOA, the UK visa must be valid for the entire stay in Bahrain
• For eVisa, the UK visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Bahrain eVisa Portal
• Burkina Faso
• Congo, Dem. Rep. Of
• Congo, Rep. of
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Guinea Bissau
• Sierra Leone
• South Sudan
• Permitted visas: None
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Jordan E-Visa
• The ILR or BRP must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Jordan E-Visa Portal
• El Salvador
• Entry granted: 10 or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Oman 26M or 26N Tourist Visa online
• 26M eVIsa fee is 20 OMR, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• 26N eVIsa fee is 5 OMR, valid for 10 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Sultanate of Oman, Royal Oman Police
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for A3 Visa online on the Hayya portal
• A3 Visa fee is QAR 100, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Must provide hotel booking for the entire stay reserved through the Discover Qatar website
• UK visa or BRP/ILR must be valid on the day of the A3 Visa application
• Official source: Qatar Tourism Board

33. Saudi Arabia

• Permitted visas: Valid USED multiple-entry UK standard visitor visa (other visas not accepted)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Saudi Arabia eVisa
• VOA or eVisa fee is 300 SAR, valid for 1 year, multiple-entry (plus service fee and insurance fee)
• UK visa must have been used at least once to enter the UK
• Official source: Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority

34. United Arab Emirates

• Permitted residence permits: All valid ILR, BRP and spouse visas
• Entry granted: 14 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at all UAE airports
• VOA fee is 100 AED, valid for 14 days, single-entry only
• UK residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Embassy of UAE in London, UK

RELATED: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at all international airports
• VOA fee is $25 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• UK visa must have been used to enter the UK at least once
• Official source: Egypt Tourism Department

36. Morocco

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa
• E-Visa fee is 770 MAD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• UK visa or BPR/ILR must be valid for at least 90 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Morocco E-Visa Portal

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• Permitted visas: Valid multiple-entry UK RESIDENT visas such as student, work, etc.
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for  Japan eVisa
• eVisa fee is JPY 3,000, valid for 90 days, single-entry only
• Must submit  proof of residence  to prove that you reside in the UK
• Must show the visa issuance confirmation via the eVisa website on your phone at the immigration (Prints and PDFs are not accepted)
• Must enter Japan by flight only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

38. Kyrgyzstan

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused LONG-TERM multiple-entry UK visas, issued for at least for 3+ years
• Entry granted: 7 days
• UK visa must be a long-term visa issued for 3 or more years, visas issued for less than 3 years are not accepted
• After entering Kyrgyzstan this way, you can only reenter Kyrgyzstan again after 21 days
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

39. Philippines

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure
• Official source: Embassy of the Philippines in India

40. Singapore

• Entry granted: 96 hours (4 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) upon arrival
• Must be traveling to or from the country of passport. Example: Must be traveling to a third country from India via Singapore or traveling to India from a third country via Singapore. An example itinerary would be India-Singapore-Bali or Bali-Singapore-India.
• Both arriving and departing flights in Singapore must be on the same itinerary
• UK visa or BPR/ILR must be valid for at least 1 month at the time of arrival
• Official source: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

41. South Korea

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities (except these 23 countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen)
• Entry rule: Must be traveling to/from the UK through South Korea
• Official source: South Korea Embassy in Washington DC, USA
• Permitted visas: All valid/expired used/unused single/multiple-entry UK visas, except transit
• Permitted residence permits: All valid/expired ILR and BRPs
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for ROC Travel Authorization Certificate online
• ROC Travel Authorization Certificate is free of charge, valid for 90 days, multiple-entry
• If using an EXPIRED UK visa or residence permit, the visa or residence permit must have expired in the last 10 years
• Official source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)

43. Thailand

• Permitted residence permits: A valid ILR or BRP
• Entry granted: 60 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Thailand e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 40 USD, valid for 90 days or 180 days, single or multiple-entry
• Must submit  proof of residence in the UK such as driver’s license, utility bill, etc
• Thai E-Visa Portal

So, there you have it! 43 countries and territories you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa.

Do you know any other country (I haven’t listed here) where you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa? Let me know in the comments below.

Change history:  For those who are interested, here are the changes to this list.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

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537 Comments

Mahyar says

August 15, 2024 at 12:54 pm

As of August 2024, the “Permitted residence permits” is set to “None” for some countries i.e. Serbia or North Macedonia. Does it mean they require a visa and no BRP card is accepted?

Thirumal Motati says

August 15, 2024 at 3:48 pm

Hi Mahyar! Yes, those countries accept only UK visas and not UK BRPs. If a UK residence permit is in the form a visa sticker, they may accept it.

avtarsingh says

March 4, 2023 at 10:16 am

Can I travel to Japan with an Australian visa?

March 6, 2023 at 6:46 am

Hi Avtarsingh! No. Japan does not allow Australian visas. You REQUIRE a Japan visa to travel to Japan.

Kadidjath Abeo Christelle RADJI says

February 25, 2023 at 7:20 am

Hi, can I Travel to Spain with a UK BRP?

February 28, 2023 at 10:24 am

Hi Kadidjath! You will need a Schengen visa to travel to Spain. Spain does not accept UK BRP.

Muhammed Ramzi says

February 24, 2023 at 12:42 pm

Hello team! Thank you for taking the time to create this brilliant website and answer all the comments. You have helped a lot of people in clearing their doubts about getting a tourist Visa. I’m an Indian national holding an Indian Passport living in the UK under a skilled worker Visa (Tier 2) holding a UK BRP which is valid for three years. I’m planning to visit Saudi Arabia and I have got a 6 hours layover in Romania. Do I require an Airport Transit visa If I’m leaving the visa-free zone to self-transfer for the next flight to Saudi Arabia?

Also, it is mentioned that UK Visa holders can get a Visa on Arrival for Saudi Arabia. Is it valid If I’m holding a BRP of three years validity? And is it possible If I’m boarding a Wizz Air flight from Bucharest Airport Romania or VoA is only applicable when boarding Saudi Airlines?

Thank you for your time :)

March 6, 2023 at 2:02 pm

Hi Muhammed! For Romania, you would need an airport transit visa if you are leaving the international transit area. Romania offers VISA-FREE access to those with a Schengen visa or a visa from any EU country, but unfortunately not for UK BRP holders.

Saudi Arabia offers VOA for those with permanent residency in the UK, meaning you must hold a UK ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Your BRP is temporary and unfortunately, you won’t be able to get VOA in Saudi Arabia based on your UK BRP.

Kevin Watson says

February 20, 2023 at 9:52 am

Hi, I’m from the UK but my wife is Thai with an ILR visa but she also has a USA ESTA visa does this mean we can go to Spain, Portugal and Italy without Schengen?

February 23, 2023 at 6:54 am

Hi Kevin! Spain, Portugal and Italy are all Schengen countries and they DO NOT allow UK ILR or US visas. She would REQUIRE a Schengen visa to travel to any of those countries.

Sheetal Mathew says

February 13, 2023 at 1:02 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am an Indian passport holder with a UK student visa. Am I eligible to visit Morocco or Georgia with this current Visa?

February 28, 2023 at 12:18 pm

Hi Sheetal! Yes. You can visit Morocco and Georgia with your UK student visa. But for Morocco, you must apply for its e-Visa before traveling. You are eligible to apply for Morocco based on your UK visa.

Rasaq Bankole says

January 26, 2023 at 7:27 pm

Hi all, I have a UK BRP visa. Do I need a Schengen visa to visit European countries for holiday?

January 27, 2023 at 6:16 am

Hi Rasaq! You would need a Schengen visa to visit Schengen countries. But countries in Europe that do not fall under the Schengen zone can be visited using your UK BRP. Some examples are Georgia, Montenegro, Turkey, etc.

S M U A Baloch says

February 19, 2023 at 7:13 am

Hello, my wife and children hold valid UK BRP (Leave to Remain), can they travel to Greece and what other European countries that give Visas on Arrival? Could you please guide us accordingly with a comprehensive list of VOA countries as dates for Schengen are too busy? Regards

March 6, 2023 at 2:22 pm

Hi Baloch! All 27 Schengen countries including Greece do not allow UK BRPs. You would need a Schengen visa to travel to any of those 27 Schengen countries including Greece. But there are some countries in Europe that allow UK BRPs such as Albania, Montenegro, Armenia, Georgia, etc. You can find the list in this article under the section “Europe”.

Jibrann khan says

January 26, 2023 at 3:04 am

Hi Thirumal sir! Greetings! I have a UK visitor visa. I am from Pakistan. Which countries I can visit in Europe on a UK visitor visa?

January 26, 2023 at 1:30 pm

Hi Jibrann! There are quite a few countries in Europe that you can visit using your UK visitor visa, such as Albania, Georgia, Montenegro, Turkey, etc. Please refer to this article for more information.

md amir faisal says

January 25, 2023 at 10:01 am

I am from Bangladesh. I have 10 years multiple-entry type C visa. can I travel to Ireland? How many countries to visit with this UK visa?

January 26, 2023 at 1:34 pm

Hi Md Amir! Bangladesh passport holders are not eligible to enter Ireland using a UK visitor visa unless their UK visa has “BIVS” endorsed on it. If you have “BIVS” on your UK visa, then you can travel to Ireland. For other countries, please refer to this article.

January 18, 2023 at 12:17 am

Hi there. Firstly thank you for this article it has been so so helpful. In regards to Aruba, there are certain countries listed. However, with the BRP/ILR it says all nationalities. As a Nigerian national with a British ILR, does that qualify me to travel there? Thank you.

January 24, 2023 at 8:03 am

Hi MJ! Yes, those with British ILR/BRP can travel to Aruba irrespective of what nationality they hold. So with your Nigerian passport and UK ILR, you can travel to Aruba.

January 9, 2023 at 9:12 am

I have 2 years standard UK visitor visa. Can I travel to Japan visa-free?

January 24, 2023 at 9:23 am

Hi Preet! No. You would need a Japan visa.

Aditya says

January 9, 2023 at 12:09 am

Hi, I’m an Indian passport holder with a UK student visa tier 4. What countries can I visit visa-less in 2023? Can you please reply? Thank you in advance.

January 9, 2023 at 7:26 am

Hi Aditya! It depends on whether you have a valid UK student visa in your passport or a BRP card. You can go through this article and find eligible countries for your visa or BRP.

Patience says

January 10, 2023 at 11:49 pm

Hi, please I have a UK student visa and I want to travel to France for a holiday. I am from Nigeria, please advise if this is possible or if I need a France tourist visa and if I can apply from the UK or from my home country.

January 24, 2023 at 9:11 am

Hi Patience! You would need a Schengen visa to travel to France. You can apply for your Schengen visa from the French embassy in the UK.

MUSTAFA MEAH says

December 19, 2022 at 1:06 pm

Hi, I have a Bangladeshi passport with BRP. Can I get visa on Arrival for Egypt? Please help as I’m getting mixed information also the embassy won’t answer the phone.

December 23, 2022 at 7:13 am

Hi Mustafa! Unfortunately, all official sources say “UK visa”, so I’m not sure if you can use your UK BRP. I haven’t gotten any response from the embassy either, so I can’t confirm.

Abubakar Tahiru says

December 18, 2022 at 8:00 pm

I’m on a student visa and I have my UK BRP. Can I travel to Mexico or Costa Rica with BRP?

December 23, 2022 at 8:23 am

Hi Abubakar! You CANNOT travel to Mexico using a UK BRP. You would need a UK visa in the passport or UK ILR to travel to Mexico. But for Costa Rica, yes. You can use your UK BRP to travel to Costa Rica.

Aveek Mukhopadhyay says

December 10, 2022 at 7:56 pm

Hello Thirumal, very helpful article. I see that Egypt has been mentioned as a destination allowed with a Uk visa. I have an Indian passport and UK Visa so based on this article and the source posts, I should be eligible. However, when I am trying to check the e-visa (which was mentioned as an alternative to the VOA) and mention my nationality as India, it says that I cannot get an entry. I do not see any provision to mention that I have Uk visa. I was planning to travel with my wife and an infant, so I am a bit concerned about whether this is being allowed in practice. Do you know anyone who has traveled to Egypt just using a UK visa (if they belong to a country that is otherwise not allowed?)

December 23, 2022 at 8:58 am

Hi Aveek! Unfortunately, Indian nationals need to book a tour or a meet-and-greet service in order to apply for the E-Visa. You can book this service after your visa is approved too. In practice, many Indian nationals travel without using any agent. But the airline or the immigration in Cairo can make things difficult if you do not have a tour operator. To be on the safe side, you can book a 2-day tour with an agent just so they can come to the airport for you. Ibis Egypt Tours is well-reputed. Many Indian nationals seem to use them for their E-Visas. You can contact them to see if they can help.

Regarding VOA, I don’t know anyone that actually used it successfully to enter Egypt. This VOA with UK visa information is already in TIMATIC, so the airlines are aware of it and will not stop or prevent you from boarding. But whether or not immigration in Cairo is aware of it still remains uncertain.

Rhea Pillai says

November 15, 2022 at 4:58 pm

Hi, your post is very helpful. However, I am finding it a bit conflicting with so many answers to read. Pardon me if this is a repeat question.

I am an Indian passport holder residing in the UK with Tier 1 General Entrepreneur BRP. Can I travel to Dublin without a visa? I was once refused to board the plane from Edinburgh to Dublin to Bombay. But, I do not recollect showing my BRP to the ground staff. She just said you have an Indian passport with no Schengen and hence I cannot allow you to board the plane.

Can I travel to Schengen countries with my BRP?

November 23, 2022 at 5:08 am

Hi Rhea! No. You cannot use UK BRP to travel to Ireland. You would need to apply for an Ireland visa. Also, Schengen countries do not accept UK BRP, therefore you would need a Schengen visa to travel to Schengen countries.

Fahim MUSHTAQ says

November 29, 2022 at 1:08 pm

Hi, I am from Pakistan. I have a UK standard visitor visa. My question is can I travel to Mexico or do I need a visa for Mexico?

December 7, 2022 at 10:03 am

Hi Fahim! If your UK visitor visa is a sticker in your passport and is still valid, then yes, you can use your UK visa to enter Mexico. You don’t need a separate Mexico visa.

Prashant says

November 11, 2022 at 5:27 pm

2-year long-term Standard Visitor UK visa on an Indian Passport will have BIVS and allow me to enter Ireland? OR BIVS is applicable only on a Standard Visitor visa of 6 months?

November 23, 2022 at 5:20 am

Hi Prashant! That’s a good question. In my experience, I have seen BIVS only on 6-month visas so far. But I assume you can request BIVS on 2 or 5-year visitor visas as well. Even though they have 2 or 5-year validity, the allowed stay is still 6 months which makes it a short-stay visitor visa.

Gloria says

November 10, 2022 at 4:04 pm

Hello! Good evening. Thank you for this post. Very insightful. I am Nigerian and I would love to visit Morocco in a few but I want to confirm if it’s still an e-visa I need. I live in the UK and I have my BRP.

November 21, 2022 at 4:22 am

Hi Gloria! Yes, Nigerian passport holders are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa using their UK BRP. That being said, there is always some sort of scrutiny against Nigerian passport holders, so please confirm with Moroccan authorities before planning your travel.

Emmanuel says

November 10, 2022 at 8:04 am

Thirumal! Thank you for your wonderful experience update. I am a Nigerian passport holder I want to know which visa is the best the Schengen visa and UK visa. Please advise me. Thank you.

November 21, 2022 at 4:30 am

Hi Emmanuel! Schengen is the best as it gives you more visa-free countries than a UK visa. But your first Schengen visa will be given just for the days you have asked for. Your subsequent Schengen visas will have longer validity and that’s when you can start taking advantage of visa-free countries.

November 9, 2022 at 5:16 pm

Personal experience with Pakistani Passport: North Macedonia – they do not accept BRP/Residence permits or entry permits stamped on the passport. Must have any kind of UK visa which is not yet expired and also have travel insurance. Albania – they do not stamp your passport, only electronic data collection. No problem with entry. Serbia – No problem in entry – no questions asked Montenegro – No problem with entry – no stamp on the passport if you enter by train from Serbia.

November 23, 2022 at 5:25 am

Hi Umair! Thanks for the update! Very useful to the other readers. Regarding Serbia, were you able to use your UK BRP? Did you enter Serbia by air or via land?

November 4, 2022 at 4:59 pm

Hi dear, I need help with confirmation so I don’t make mistake for something like this. Thank you in advance. 1. Indonesia passport holder. 2. ILR visa.

How do I find which country I can visit from your list? “Indonesia/All nationalities” in eligible nationalities, and Permitted residence permits if shown ILR? Also, if you could recommend me 3 countries that are worth visiting?

November 7, 2022 at 6:49 am

Hi FK! That’s correct! “Indonesia/All nationalities” in eligible nationalities and “ILR” in permitted residence permits. It’s worth visiting all countries on this list, but if I have to recommend only 3, I would say Mexico, Georgia and Turkey. If Indonesia is not eligible for Turkey, then Serbia.

ME Reynoso says

November 3, 2022 at 6:45 am

Hi! How about Bosnia and Herzegovina? The flag image is there but could not see it in the text.

November 7, 2022 at 7:13 am

Hi! Previously Bosnia and Herzegovina allowed visas from all EU member states. Since Brexit, the UK is not been part of the EU anymore and therefore UK visas are not allowed. The image was created pre-Brexit so the flag is still there.

Nana Olanrewaju says

November 1, 2022 at 2:13 am

Hi Thirumal, I’m on a student visa and I have my UK BRP. Can I travel to Malta with my UK visa and BRP?

November 7, 2022 at 7:18 am

Ni Nana! Malta is a Schengen state so you would need a Schengen visa to travel to Malta. You cannot use your UK visa or BRP.

November 1, 2022 at 1:30 am

Though 99% of what is written is correct, I would like to add an incident that happened to me while I was traveling to the Philippines. Based on the Philippines Embassy details, an Indian with a valid visa could enter the Philippines and would receive a visa on arrival. Hence based on this fact, I booked my travel and reached Heathrow airport. I am living in the UK with a General Tier 2 work visa, and I was stopped by Qatar Airways check-in staff, and they refused to allow me to board even though I tried to explain regarding it. So, I guess, this is also a matter of flight requirements as well. I guess, a valid visa would mean Permanent residency status and not just any visa.

November 7, 2022 at 7:37 am

Hi NevR! Sorry to hear that Qatar airways staff denied your boarding. Philipines immigration, embassies and TIMATIC (airline database) all mention that a “UK resident visa” can be used. A resident visa can be a student visa, work visa, spouse visa, etc. that gives the holder the legal right to reside in the UK for a temporary period. If you have a BRP, that’s considered a “resident visa” as well. It is not true that only permanent residents can enter.

Qatar is notorious for its untrained staff that deny boarding on every silly thing that they spot. I have been denied boarding by Qatar staff a few times and I usually demand to speak to their manager. Once I speak with their manager, I would immediately be allowed to board. So please do the same. Demand to speak to their manager, explain and pull up the embassy page and show it to them.

November 16, 2022 at 11:25 am

You are absolutely right. Some airline staff do not really understand immigration rules. Therefore you have to speak to the manager who understands. It also happened to us even though for different routes. Once we spoke to the manager, everything was fine and we could fly.

October 30, 2022 at 4:16 pm

Hello, I’m from the Philippines and I have a 2-year standard tourist UK visa that is valid until 2024. Please confirm if I can just hop on a plane and fly to Mexico or do I need to prepare anything else. Thank you.

October 31, 2022 at 8:23 am

Hi Bea! You just need your passport and UK visa. Nothing else. But keep in mind that your UK visa must be multiple-entry and must be valid for the entire stay in Mexico.

Vanessa says

October 8, 2022 at 2:12 pm

Thanks for all the info, it’s frustrating finding nice places to go as a Nigerian:). Can you please advise where I can travel without the visa hassles/visa-free? I have a Nigerian passport and my student visa (sticker) expires on the 15th of October. However, I am now on a graduate visa with BRP validity until 2024. Kindly help, thank you!

October 10, 2022 at 2:35 am

Hi Vanessa! A few countries only allow UK visas and a few only ILR. But there are plenty that allows UK BRPs. So go over the list and check for countries if “Nigeria or All nationalities” is mentioned in “Eligible nationalities” and UK BRP in “Permitted residence permits”. You can travel to all of those countries.

October 3, 2022 at 11:04 am

Hi, does a UK BRP which is on a pre-settled basis (temporary leave to remain) for 5 years expiring in 2025 allow a Pakistani passport holder to enter Egypt, Morocco, Montenegro and Serbia for a short 7-10 day trip without a visa so its VOA?

October 7, 2022 at 4:19 am

Hi Ahmad! For Egypt and Serbia, you would need a UK visa. I’m sure they accept UK BRPs. For Morocco and Montenegro, yes, you can use your UK BRP.

Sandra says

October 3, 2022 at 7:16 am

Hello thirumal. I have been following you here for a while well done. I am a NIGERIAN but studying in the UK. Please can you list 5 nice countries I can travel to with my UK BRP? I want to go on vacation with my boyfriend so I need a country I can visit with my UK BRP. Awaiting your quick response. Thank you!

October 7, 2022 at 4:23 am

Hi Sandra! You can try Montenegro, Georgia, Albania or Morocco (e-visa). They are all nice countries and allow UK BRPs. But you can also check the entire list to see if you like any other country.

September 27, 2022 at 2:51 pm

Hi, I have a UK visa. Can I travel to Singapore and stay there for sightseeing?

September 28, 2022 at 2:55 am

Hi Swati! To use your UK visa to travel to Singapore, you must be in transit to a third country preferably India or UK. A India-Singapore-India itinerary will not work. It must be something like India-Singapore-UK or UK-Singapore-India or India-Singapore-Thailand-UK or UK-Duabi-Singapore-India, etc.

October 7, 2022 at 2:18 am

Thirumal, I just discovered your blog and I’m amazed by the useful tips you have shared. I’m on a work visa in the UK for almost 5 years and I wish I knew about all this useful info much earlier. How long can I be in Singapore if I’m in transit to India? UK – Singapore – India. Also, any extra benefits if I have an ILR?

October 7, 2022 at 3:40 am

Hi Dhruv! You can stay up to 96 hours in Singapore on your way to India. Yes, ILR gives you access to countries that you can’t enter with a temporary BRP or UK visa such as Mexico, Bahamas and Peru.

Chinwe says

September 27, 2022 at 3:25 am

Hello, thanks for all the info you share. I am Nigerian, living in the UK with a student visa + BRP. I was just making plans for Turkey and decided to check your page again. I am sure the requirement for Nigerians with UK visas was the same (visa-free) but you seem to have taken Nigeria off the list. What happened? What do I require to enter Turkey? I am seeing contradictory info on some sites that maintain that Nigerians in the UK do not need the visa. Please help.

September 27, 2022 at 6:45 am

Hi Chinwe! Turkey’s ministry updated its requirements so I had to update the article to reflect the new requirements. Unfortunately, Nigerian passport holders with UK visas/BRP are not eligible for Turkey e-Visa anymore.

October 8, 2022 at 1:45 pm

Thank you, Thirumal. What a bummer! Can you please confirm what are the requirements now for Mexico? Can I use my BRP to enter Mexico as a tourist or do I need a tourist visa? I am a Nigerian passport holder living in the UK on a graduate visa, with BRP valid until 2024

October 10, 2022 at 2:38 am

Hi Chinwe! Mexico allows only valid UK visas or UK “permanent residence permits” such as ILR. Unfortunately, you can’t use your student BRP to travel to Mexico. If you like to apply for a Mexico visa, you can apply from your nearest Mexican consulate or embassy. Here are the details on how to apply for a Mexico visa .

Beauty says

November 18, 2022 at 10:20 pm

I would have preferred to be stopped by British airways en route to Mexico with my sister last summer, it was a terrible event as I was traveling with a BRP card and she’s a Uk passport holder. She gained entry while I was detained and treated like a criminal in their smelling detention for 48hrs (till there was an available flight seat for me)

It was horrible as I was denied water for almost 24hrs and had no access to phone calls, a stinking infected toilet, and super cold with nothing but kitchen foil as a blanket. I do not wish this experience on my worst enemy. It was the worst experience of my life, I now have a phobia for a BRP travel-free countries, in fact I think I have a phobia for all travels. Flight wasted hotel bookings, site seeing tickets, all wasted plus inhumane treatment because of a simple mistake on my part.

P.S.: I also think the boss had a thing against Nigerians, it’s so sad that a few eggs have ruined the whole crate.

November 23, 2022 at 5:02 am

Hi Beauty! Sorry to hear that! What a horrible experience. Mexico has been changing its requirements constantly so it’s causing a lot of issues for us with weak passports. Their embassies are also not in sync, which is leading to more confusion. I’m sorry again for what you went though. Please take care of yourself.

September 26, 2022 at 5:45 pm

Hello, thanks for the tremendous work. I am an Ivorian living in the UK with (ILR and BRP) issued after Brexit. Do I need a visa to travel to Schengen Countries? there is conflicting info on Gov.Uk. I don’t quite know who they refer to by” ILR holders can travel up to 90 days free of Visa”. Thanks again.

September 27, 2022 at 3:00 am

Hi Bady! As far as I know, only UK citizens can travel to the Schengen area without a visa. Those with UK ILR or BRP would still need a visa to travel to the Schengen area.

October 30, 2022 at 10:09 am

Hi, thanks for the advice. My wife is Iranian and has a UK BRP. It’s a nightmare trying to find a destination other than Turkey to travel to. Which do you recommend as the most straightforward?

October 31, 2022 at 8:35 am

Hi Matt! You guys can check out Montenegro and Georgia. Both are nearby and accept Iranians with UK BRP. Albania is also nice and easy to get to.

Tanvir says

September 19, 2022 at 4:38 am

Hi, Thirumal. I am a Bangladeshi citizen and now I’m living in the UK with a UK student Visa and BRP. I would like to travel to USA or Canada in December during the Christmas Vacation. But in my visa sticker, the UK entry clearance is valid until November 2022 but my BRP is valid until August 2023. So how can I visit any of the two countries or what do I have to do for the visit?

September 26, 2022 at 3:57 am

HI Tanvir! You would need a US or Canada visa to travel to those countries. US and Canada do not accept UK visas or BRP.

Mohammad Abdali says

November 6, 2022 at 8:53 pm

Hi, I have a UK ILR (Indefinite Leave to remain) it will expire in December 2024. Does ILR allow me to travel with an Afghan passport to South Korea? Or do I need a visa for South Korea?

November 7, 2022 at 5:44 am

Hi Mohammad! Unfortunately, you cannot use your UK ILR to travel to South Korea. Afghanistan is one of the 24 excluded countries from this scheme.

Hafiz Ahmad Hussain says

September 15, 2022 at 11:02 pm

Hi, Just wanna say thanks to you. What a tremendous work you have done. I live in the UK as a temporary resident but want to travel to the world with so so many questions in my mind. All the information under one single ROOF is just fabulous mate. Keep up the good work. All the best for your future.

September 17, 2022 at 9:39 am

Hi Hafiz! Thanks! I appreciate the kind words. Please feel free to ask any questions you have. You can also use the contact form to email me directly.

September 14, 2022 at 6:02 pm

Hi Thirumal, thanks for this website. I downloaded the ebook and see Romania listed as visa-free if one holds a residence permit from the UK for 5 or more years. I don’t see it listed here though. Can you please confirm?

September 17, 2022 at 9:42 am

Hi Vinu! Sorry, the ebook is a bit outdated. I’m currently in the process of updating it, but till then please use this article. This article and other VISA-FREE articles are up to date.

Ikechukwu says

September 12, 2022 at 10:07 pm

Hi, I’m on a dependent visa with a BRP. My wife and I are planning on going to Dubai. Would we need a visa to enter Dubai or we can enter with our BRPs.

September 13, 2022 at 8:12 am

Hi Ikechukwu! If you hold an Indian passport, then you both can get VOA in Dubai using your UK BRP. If you hold any other passport, then you would need a visa. You would need to apply for your UAE visa online prior to your trip.

Harshjeet says

August 31, 2022 at 2:27 pm

Morocco also started visa on arrival facility with Schengen visa, UK visa, Australian visa and US Visa. Tourist visa or BRP is acceptable.

September 1, 2022 at 5:52 am

Hi Harshjeet! Thanks for the info! Yes, I have updated the article with Morocco now.

August 29, 2022 at 7:51 pm

Hi, My wife is a British citizen and I am on a spouse visa with BRP. Can I travel to Switzerland with my wife?

August 30, 2022 at 12:32 pm

Hi Moon! No. You would need a Schengen visa to travel to Switzerland. Prior to Brexit, it was possible to travel to Schengen if accompanied by a UK citizen spouse but not anymore. You would need to get a Schengen visa.

August 28, 2022 at 11:53 pm

Hi, I have a UK student Visa and BRP and I would like to travel to Mexico. Do I just need to buy a ticket and hop on the flight or there are some other steps to take?

August 30, 2022 at 12:34 pm

Hi Jay! Mexico accepts only UK visas but not BRP. So if your UK student visa in your passport is still valid, then yes, you can travel to Mexico. All you need is your passport and the UK visa in it.

Angela says

September 22, 2022 at 3:05 pm

With Moldova Passport and a UK visa 10 years, I can travel to Dubai for 1 week? Thanks!

September 23, 2022 at 7:46 am

Hi Angela! For Dubai, Moldovan passport holders need a UAE tourist visa. You cannot use your UK visa. Only Indian nationals are allowed to get a Visa on Arrival in UAE with a long-term UK visa such as ILR, BRP or spouse visa. I have a detailed guide on how to apply for UAE/Dubai visa . You can check that one out.

August 28, 2022 at 11:16 am

Hello, checked the Jordanian website and they allow on arrival visa for Permanent residents of UK and US. From the website below,

Passport holders of the following countries: Angola, Albania, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central Africa, Chad , Congo, Colombia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Laos, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Srilanka, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Union of the Comoros, Vietnam, Zaire, Zambia.  If you hold a passport from one of the above countries, and you have a residence in the United Kingdom, United States of America, European Union countries, Gulf States (not tourism or visit visa) valid for more than six months, then you can: 1. You can get your visa upon arrival to Jordan! except who intends to enter Jordan via the King Hussein Bridge crossing border, in this case, you should get visa in advance from any Jordanian consulate around the world (see required documents below). 2. If you wish to apply at the consulate, bring (or someone on your behalf) the above required documents. Fees can be paid either onsite (via card only) or online. 3. If you wish to send your application via post, send the above documents, payment receipt, and a self-addressed prepaid envelope (special delivery) to the following address: Jordanian Consulate 6 Upper Phillimore Gardens London , W8 7HA  If you hold passport from one of the above countries, and you do not have residence in the United Kingdom, United States of America, European Union countries, Gulf States (not tourism or visit visa) than six months then , you have to apply here.

August 30, 2022 at 12:42 pm

Hi Hish! Fantastic! Thanks for the info. I did some research today and added Jordan to the list. Thanks again for this info.

Michael Gerard Sayson says

August 31, 2022 at 8:55 pm

South Korea— immigration staff advised that we still need to apply for a visa to visit the country (and pay) despite having a valid UK visit visa or BRP.

September 1, 2022 at 5:44 am

Hi Michael! Thanks for the update. Looks like they haven’t started their “tourists in transit to third countries” category yet.

August 19, 2022 at 11:57 am

Hi, my name is Dara and I hold a Nigerian Passport. I have a UK student visa and BRP. What are the requirements to travel to Colombia? Thank you.

August 22, 2022 at 10:18 am

Hi Dara! Nigerian passport holders require a visa for Colombia. You can apply for an E-Visa. Here is a guide on how to apply for Colombia E-Visa .

August 23, 2022 at 3:30 am

Hi, I hold a Nigerian Passport and I have a UK student visa and BRP. I’m currently planning a trip to Montenegro but the entry rules say UK visa must be valid for the intended period of the stay. My UK visa expired last year December but I’ve got my BRP, can I still travel?

August 26, 2022 at 9:24 am

Hi John! Yes. A BRP is a temporary residence permit. Montenegro accepts both UK permanent (ILR) and temporary (BRP) residence permits.

August 26, 2022 at 12:05 am

Hi Thirumal, hope you are doing well. I am a Bangladeshi citizen and currently, I have a valid 2 years multiple entry UK visit visa. According to your article, I can see that I am eligible to travel to Armenia and I would be granted a visa on arrival. I have followed the link, which is the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, that you posted, but I cannot find any such information on the website. Could you help me? Am I missing something on the website?

August 26, 2022 at 7:02 am

Hi Hasin! Sorry, it was my mistake. Armenia visa on arrival is only available to 51 eligible nationalities. Unfortunately, Bangladesh is not on that 51 eligible nationalities list.

Gabriel Okpuno Okei says

October 6, 2022 at 11:52 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am a Nigerian with a graduate BRP in the UK and I’m wondering what places I can travel to without an additional visa and places I can get an e-visa for.

October 7, 2022 at 3:43 am

Hi Gabriel! Look at “Eligible nationalities” for each country in the list. If it says “All nationalities” or “Nigeria”, then you can travel to that country using your UK BRP.

August 8, 2022 at 11:17 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have an Indian passport with the UK Spouse visa (BRP Card – valid until 2024). I wanted to ask if I can travel to North Macedonia without needing to apply for a visa? Many thanks!

August 16, 2022 at 10:02 am

Hi Yash! North Macedonia only allows UK visas (visa sticker in the passport) and not UK residence permits. A BRP is considered a residence permit. That being said, temporary or permanent residence permits from any EU country are also allowed. So there is a slight chance that they may have forgotten to update their visa requirements post-Brexit. You can contact them for clarification.

Fateh jan says

August 2, 2022 at 1:18 pm

I am from Pakistan and have a British UK valid visa. Can I enter Gibraltar?

August 4, 2022 at 7:26 am

Hi Fateh Jan! Yes, you can enter Gibraltar with your UK visa. Keep in mind that your UK visa must be multiple-entry and it was issued for 6 months or more.

Burhanuddin Morbiwalla says

August 18, 2022 at 8:24 pm

Does that mean we have to go from uk first? Or travel directly?

August 22, 2022 at 10:20 am

You can travel to Gibraltar directly. There is no need to travel to the UK first.

Ali aqdas says

August 20, 2022 at 10:54 am

Hi, I have a UK student visa tier-4. Its validity is 3 months and multiple entery. Can I enter Mexico without a visa with a Pakistani passport? How long I can stay in Mexico with a UK student sticker visa with 3-month validity? Also, I have BRP whose validity is 24 months.

August 22, 2022 at 10:49 am

Hi Ali! Mexico does not accept US BRP. With your UK student visa sticker, you can enter Mexico. You will be given 3 months (90-day) entry in Mexico since your UK visa will expire in 3 months.

ali aqdas says

August 27, 2022 at 4:28 am

Bro, my UK student clearness sticker visa is going to expire after 40 days so if I go to Mexico without visa so how long I can stay in Mexico because my visa validity is 40 days. I also emailed the Mexican embassy and they told me I should bring a visit visa. So I’m puzzled. You are saying in your article we can easily enter Mexico on our UK student multiple entry clearance but the embassy says if I hold ILR then you can enter Mexico without visa.

August 27, 2022 at 4:54 am

Hi Ali! To enter Mexico, you will have to have either (1) a UK visa sticker on your passport or (2) a UK ILR. Since you have a UK student visa sticker on your passport, you can enter Mexico. Keep in mind that your UK student visa expires in 40 days, so you will get a maximum of 40 days of entry.

July 29, 2022 at 9:30 pm

Hi there! With the changes Turkey has made with Nigerians obtaining an e-visa (not sure if you’re aware), where does that leave a Nigerian national in the UK with an ILR biometric? Can I still travel to Turkey and obtain an e-visa? Thank you!

August 4, 2022 at 4:21 am

Hi Maté! I wasn’t aware of these changes. Thank you for updating us on this. Unfortunately, due to this change, Nigerians are not eligible for e-visa anymore and must obtain a pre-approved visa from the Turkey embassy or consulate.

August 7, 2022 at 4:02 pm

Hi Thirumal! My name is Paul. I have a Nigeria Passport and a BRP for the UK. What visa do I need to go to Morocco for a few days visit?

August 16, 2022 at 10:04 am

Hi Paul! Morocco introduced an e-visa recently. If you hold a UK BRP, you are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa. Here is the link to apply for Morocco e-Visa .

Khadija says

August 21, 2022 at 2:40 pm

I have a Bangladeshi passport with a valid unused UK visa. Can I get visa on arrival in Egypt?

August 22, 2022 at 10:10 am

Hi Khadija! To get VOA in Egypt, you must have USED your UK visa to enter the UK at least once. If it’s unused, you cannot get VOA in Egypt.

Zhanna says

August 22, 2022 at 10:38 am

Hi Thirumal, I am Kazakhstan holder, but have ILR. Earlier Kazakhstan citizens could enter Turkey without the visa. Can I do it now from the UK having ILR? Many thanks in advance.

August 26, 2022 at 8:16 am

Hi Zhanna! Kazakhstan passport holders can enter Turkey without a visa for 30 days. No need for UK IRL. All you need is your Kazakhstan passport.

Hoang tran says

July 28, 2022 at 9:47 pm

I have a UK spouse visa valid till 9/10/2023. I want to enter Ireland this September for a few days. Do I need to apply for a visa to enter Ireland? Thank you.

August 4, 2022 at 4:01 am

Hi Tran! Unfortunately, you cannot use your UK spouse visa to enter Ireland. Only those with a UK short-stay visitor visa and holding a passport from one of the 24 nationalities listed above can enter Ireland. Also, if you have a UK visa with BIVS on it, you can enter Ireland. But you cannot enter Ireland with a UK spouse visa. You would need an Ireland visa.

Ninaad says

July 28, 2022 at 12:59 am

Hi, I have an Indian passport, UK BRP and student Visa. Can I visit Albania without any special visa?

July 28, 2022 at 4:24 am

Hi Ninaad! Yes, you can visit Albania with your India passport and UK BRP. You don’t need any special visa.

July 26, 2022 at 8:23 am

Thank you for sharing. I have UK standard visit visa only. And those countries listed as “Permitted residence permits: All valid ILR and BRPs”, this means I have to have both ILR and BRPs? Or I can enter those listed countries with any type of visa even though listed as “Permitted residence permits: All valid ILR and BRPs”.

July 28, 2022 at 4:32 am

Hi Jaiya! The line “Permitted residence permits:” only applies to those with UK residence permits. Since you have a “UK standard visitor visa”, the line “Permitted residence permits” DOES NOT apply to you. Just pay attention to the line “Permitted visas:”. If “Permitted visas” says “UK visas”, then you can use your UK visitor visa to enter that particular country.

Christina says

June 26, 2022 at 12:03 pm

Hi! Is this info really updated? I am Indonesian having UK Visa. So I can travel to Ireland without applying for Ireland Visa separately? I am planning to cross the border from Belfast to Dublin. And also for Saudi Arabia? Can use UK Visa as a waiver?

June 27, 2022 at 9:16 am

Hi Christina! The information was updated in Feb this year. I have provided links to the official sources for each of the countries. You can click on those links for up to date information.

July 16, 2022 at 4:27 am

Hello Jay, first of all I want to say thank you so much for making this information available to us! I want to ask please as I have ILR from the UK so I can go to Ireland? My friends in Ireland told me it’s an open border between Ireland to any Schengen countries, is that true? Also, I heard that to go to Switzerland we don’t need a visa. Is this true? Please kindly help. Thank you so much in advance!

July 18, 2022 at 9:18 am

Hi Reny! You can’t enter Ireland with a UK ILR. You would need to have a UK passport or UK short-stay visa and belong to any of the 24 countries on the list. Ireland is not a Schengen country, so it doesn’t share borders with other Schengen countries. In order to enter any Schengen country including Switzerland, you must hold a Schengen visa.

Nathan says

June 23, 2022 at 11:23 pm

Hi Thirumal, my wife has a BRP card (spouse visa UK). She is from Indonesia. Does this mean we can travel to Albania visa free? Thanks!

June 27, 2022 at 9:46 am

Hi Nathan! Yes, your wife can use her Indonesia passport and UK BRP to enter Albania without a visa.

Narendra Raj Sunwar says

June 14, 2022 at 5:35 pm

Hello! I have a British citizenship pasport and my wife has ILR from the UK. We are planning to visit Italy. So, does my wife need to apply for Italy visa to travel or not? I am a bit confused. Can you help? Please. Thank you.

June 15, 2022 at 11:06 am

Hi Narendra! Prior to Brexit, it was possible for a non-EU spouse with an ILR to travel to a Schengen country with a UK national. But post-Brexit, this is not possible. Therefore, your wife would need a Schengen visa from Italy.

Elizabeth G says

June 6, 2022 at 3:47 pm

Hi, I first want to travel to Germany for 2 months (August and September) with family and from there I want to go to UK for 6 month. Do I take the short visit visa for the UK from India or can I apply for the UK short-stay visa from Germany? How to get it done? Applying from India then I may lose my 2 months period of UK stay as first I would like to travel to Germany and want to stay in uk for 6 months. Please assist me.

June 7, 2022 at 11:15 am

Hi Elizabeth! You can apply for a UK visa from Germany. It’s not necessary to apply for a UK visa from your home country. But if you ask for a 6-month stay, your UK visa may be refused unless you prove that you have sufficient funds to support your 6-month stay. Also, if you stay the entire 6 months on your UK visitor visa, you may not be allowed back or your future UK visas may be refused.

June 4, 2022 at 11:45 am

Good afternoon, I have a UK travel document which I have used before to travel in and out of Spain. Due to Brexit will I now require a visa to enter Spain or no changes at present? Kind regards.

June 7, 2022 at 10:04 am

Hi Jay! I’m not sure if you are referring to a UK passport or UK visa/BRP. If you hold a UK passport, then you can travel to Spain without a visa for 90 days in 180 days. But if you hold a UK visa/BRP, you would need a Schengen visa for Spain.

June 8, 2022 at 10:45 pm

That’s great! Thank you for your swift response. Much appreciated.

Exquisite Bee says

May 26, 2022 at 4:54 am

Hello! Can I transit via Serbia with a UK BRP card (Tier 4) using Air Serbia? The UK visa on my passport is expired. I won’t be leaving the airport, layover less than 2 hours on the return leg to the UK.

May 26, 2022 at 8:24 am

Hi Exquisite Bee! Generally, if your flights in and out of Serbia are on a single itinerary, then you will be within the transit area and you do not need a transit visa. But if you need to claim bags or go through immigration, you would need a transit visa. To enter Serbia, you cannot use a UK BRP. Serbia accepts UK visas but unfortunately, it doesn’t accept UK residence permits.

May 31, 2022 at 8:08 am

Hi Thirumal, I have a UK visit visa expiring July 2022. May I travel to Mexico without a visa? What are the other requirements

June 7, 2022 at 10:45 am

Hi Selva! Yes. You can use your UK visit visa to travel to Mexico. Your UK visa must be valid at the time of entering Mexico. You may be asked to show your return ticket or hotel booking, so make sure to carry those then traveling.

May 15, 2022 at 1:37 am

Hi Thirumal, I have a Philippine passport and BRP CARD. Which is a NO TIME LIMIT / ILR, just need a little light on which country I could actually travel without needing a Schengen visa.

May 19, 2022 at 7:56 am

HI Jhan! Unfortunately, you cannot use your UK ILR to enter any Schengen country. But there are quite a few countries in Europe that you can enter with your UK ILR, such as Albania, Montengro, Serbia, Georgia, etc.

Abiola Olawoyin says

August 22, 2022 at 9:37 pm

How about Croatia?

August 26, 2022 at 9:13 am

Hi Abiola! Croatia does not accept UK visas. Croatia accepts only Schengen visas or visas from Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania. If you have any official sources that say otherwise, please let me know.

May 3, 2022 at 10:31 pm

Hello, would a BRP that’s expiring in 2024 work to enter Peru or does it have to be a sticker with 6 months validity in the passport? Thank you!

May 7, 2022 at 11:30 am

Hi Raj! It must be a sticker in the passport with 6 months validity. If it’s a card, it must be a “permanent residence” card such as a BRP with “Indefinite Leave to Remain”.

Ashwini says

May 18, 2022 at 4:06 pm

Hi Thirumal, my bro is visiting us in the UK with a standard visitor visa. So is it possible to visit turkey with UK visitor visa?

May 20, 2022 at 3:52 pm

Hi Ashwini! Yes. But your brother must apply for Turkey e-Visa prior to his trip to Turkey. Turkey e-Visa is quite simple and is approved immediately. The cost is $43 USD.

Dee Nexus says

May 24, 2022 at 4:01 pm

Hi, can the Turkey e-visa be applied online or needs to go in to one of the offices and apply in person?

May 25, 2022 at 6:34 am

Hi Dee Nexus! Turkey e-Visa is completely online. It’s just a simple form that you need to fill out. No documents need to be uploaded. And, the approval is also immediate.

Yetunde Dasaolu says

May 14, 2022 at 11:22 am

Hi, my name is Yetunde and I have a BRP card with my Nigeria passport. Can I travel to Turkey, please?

May 19, 2022 at 7:53 am

Hi Yetunde! Yes. Since you hold a UK BRP, you are eligible to apply for Turkey e-Visa. It’s a simple form and approval is immediate.

Bakare Olamide Grace says

August 1, 2022 at 5:39 pm

Hi, my name is Olamide and I have a BRP card with my Nigeria passport. Can I travel to Paris, please?

August 4, 2022 at 7:01 am

Hi Grace! Unfortunately, you cannot. France is part of the Schengen area and you would need a Schengen visa to travel to Paris.

May 3, 2022 at 8:05 pm

Hi! My partner is a Nigerian citizen on a post-study visa in the UK. Can he travel to Mexico as a tourist for 9 days without getting a Mexican visa?

May 7, 2022 at 11:32 am

Hi Sarah! Yes, he can as long as his UK visa is in his passport as a visa sticker and is still valid. If his visa is expired and has a BRP, then he is not eligible.

May 22, 2022 at 11:51 am

Hi, can you help me I have BRP card which expires in 2024 I don’t have a sticker in my passport can I ask why this is a problem? And if there is anything I can do to fix it.

May 23, 2022 at 6:34 am

Hi Zaim! Mexican authorities are considering only a visa (affixed in the passport) or a “permanent” residence permit. They accept BRPs but they must be ILRs (Indefinite Leave to Remain). A BRP for work or study in the UK is not considered a “permanent” residence permit as per Mexican authorities. People have tried already but they were sent back. I understand that a BRP is technically a visa and I hope Mexican authorities will update their policies.

May 3, 2022 at 2:24 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am at crossed roads trying to book a honeymoon destination. My Partner holds dual citizenship (British and Nigerian passport) while I have a Nigerian Passport and a BRP (Tier 2 visa, not ILR). I don’t know if we can go to Mexico, the Maldives. Just confused at this point.

Please help, where can we go together with our passports and my BRP card. Thanks and look forward to your response

May 7, 2022 at 11:35 am

Hi Lizzy! Your BRP must be ILR that provides “permanent residence” in the UK. If you have a UK visa in your passport that’s still valid, then you can use it to travel to Mexico. You can also use visas such as the US, Canada, Schengen or Japan to travel to Mexico.

May 18, 2022 at 10:55 am

I guess the Maldives allows every passport a visa on arrival.

May 19, 2022 at 8:35 am

Hi Sham! Yes, Maldives offers Visa on Arrival for all nationalities.

Elizabeth says

May 3, 2022 at 1:56 pm

Hi, I wanted to ask if I can go to the Gran Canaria with my indefinite leave to remain. Thanks!

May 7, 2022 at 11:48 am

Hi Elizabeth! NO. Gran Canaria is part of Spain, for which you would need a Schengen visa. You cannot use your UK ILR to enter Spain.

Blessing says

May 1, 2022 at 3:55 pm

Hi, can I get into Turks and Caicos with my UK tourist visa if I’m flying there from the USA? I also have a USA student visa.

May 7, 2022 at 2:16 pm

Hi Blessing! Yes. You can use either your UK tourist visa or US student visa to travel to Turks and Caicos. Both visas are accepted.

Alexandra N says

April 30, 2022 at 5:47 pm

Hello, thanks for all the updates. I have a Nigerian passport and am in the UK on a student visa which is valid until October. I hold a BRP. Just for clarity, can I enter Mexico? The article said only ILR but I am seeing conflicting responses in the comments. Also, to confirm that I can still enter all the above-listed countries (except Jamaica, Aruba, Bahamas, Oman, UAE) on the afore-mentioned documents i.e UK student visa and BPR? Lastly, do you have an update on Costa Rica requirements now? Can we go there on a UK visa? Thank you so much.

May 8, 2022 at 1:33 pm

Hi Alexandra! No. You would need a valid UK visa (a visa sticker on your passport) or a UK ILR (permanent residence). Unfortunately, a UK BRP with temporary residence is not accepted. Previously, BRPs with temporary residence were also allowed but as per current visa regulations, only an ILR is allowed.

And yes, you can enter all of those countries visa-free with your UK BRP that says “All nationalities” or “Nigeria” in the list for “Eligible Nationalities”. Check “Permitted residence permits” to make sure UK BRP is allowed.

I think Costa Rica now accepts UK ILR and UK student/work visas. Email them to confirm. The link to official source

William says

April 18, 2022 at 8:19 pm

Hi Sir, I’m a British national, how can my Thai wife with a BRP card (it’s a Spouse Visa we have) travel to the US for a holiday with me? I’m aware that I need to apply for an ESTA for myself but I’m unsure how my wife can travel there. Thank you in advance.

April 21, 2022 at 7:14 am

Hi William! Your wife, even though she holds a UK BRP, needs a US B1/B2 visa to travel to the US for holidays. Only UK citizens with UK passports can use an ESTA to enter the US. UK BRP holders still need to apply for US visa.

April 30, 2022 at 8:43 am

According to the list, Korea is mentioned. I checked with the visa office. They don’t provide visas for UK residents. Moreover, they are not issuing tourism visas for any non K-eta countries.

May 21, 2022 at 8:32 am

Hi Tito! This information is still applicable but Korean borders are not open for tourism yet. When Korea opens for tourism, this information will become applicable.

D Johnson says

April 17, 2022 at 10:59 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have a Kenyan passport but have a valid U.K. ILR valid till 2024. So I need a visa to travel to Turkey?

April 21, 2022 at 7:32 am

Hi Johnson! Yes, you need a visa to travel to Turkey. But since you hold a UK ILR, you are eligible to apply for a Turkey e-visa. Turkey e-visa is super simple and is approved immediately.

April 12, 2022 at 5:48 pm

Hi Thirumal, thank you for providing us with this information. I read on here that you can travel to Montenegro visa-free if you have UK Residence Permit with ILR. I have Sri Lankan passport, and BRP card with indefinite leave to remain. Now I am panicking because I checked on your source link, and Sri Lanka isn’t listed on Article 1 on the Decree of Visa regime. I don’t know if I am not looking properly but I can’t see if BRP with ILR is accepted for entry to Montenegro. My reason for panicking is because I have booked flight tickets already! Please help. Thank you!

April 22, 2022 at 12:25 pm

Hi Sindy! Article 1 is for those who are visa-exempt, meaning those nationalities that do not need a visa. You Should look at Article 7, that’s relevant to residence permit from the UK. You can enter Montenegro for 30 days with your Sri Lanka passport and UK BRP card.

April 5, 2022 at 11:46 pm

Hi Thirumal, thank you for this information, it’s really useful. I’m planning to travel to Mexico and currently hold a valid UK ILR in my old passport, can I still travel with my old passport to show proof of permanent residence as well as my new one.

April 10, 2022 at 7:55 am

Hi MK! Visas in your old passport are still valid. You can use your UK ILR to enter Mexico. Just carry your old and new passports when you travel.

Samar van der Merwe says

March 30, 2022 at 9:47 am

Hi, I have an Iranian passport and my son has a South African passport. We have multiple 6-month standard visit visas. Can we travel to the UK then to my country in Iran, back to the UK then to SA with the same visa (we are living in South Africa)? Warm Regards.

March 31, 2022 at 4:40 am

Hi Samar! You can do as many short trips to the UK as you want with your multiple entry UK visa. It won’t be an issue. So yes, you can travel to the UK, back to Iran, then to the UK and back to SA with your UK visa.

Francis says

April 13, 2022 at 6:49 pm

Can a Nigerian passport holder with UK visa travel to Mexico visa free?

April 21, 2022 at 7:48 am

Hi Francis! Yes. You can travel to Mexico visa-free with your UK visa. Keep in mind that your UK visa must be in your passport and must be valid at the time of entering Mexico.

March 8, 2022 at 1:42 am

Hello, I would like to confirm if it is possible to travel to Mexico with a valid UK Visa (Valid till 14/04/2022) and BRP card to Mexico without having a Mexico Visa? I want to travel 4th of April, 2022 and come back on 10th April, 2022. Thank you

March 13, 2022 at 5:21 pm

Hi James! You would need a valid UK visa or a valid UK ILR to enter Mexico without a visa. A BRP is not allowed. Your visa must be valid for 6 months (or at least for the entire stay) at the time of entry into Mexico. Since your visa expires on 14/04 and your date of entry is 4/4, you may be given 10 days entry or you may be denied entry all together.

Marthiane Kembilu says

March 25, 2022 at 5:50 pm

Hi, I saw it says you can travel to Mexico with your brp and passport as long as is 6 months valid but when I read the comments it showing something else I’m really confused I’m trying to go Mexico sometimes in June but I have a brp card and Congolese passport.

March 26, 2022 at 11:26 am

Hi Marthiane! Mexico entry requirements have changed. You would need a valid UK visa or a permanent residency (ILR). You cannot use a BRP.

April 5, 2022 at 2:27 pm

BRP is a visa. The UK stopped “physical visa on the passport”. So, if you have a BRP which shows the type of “visa permit” you have for the UK.

May 21, 2022 at 8:39 am

Yes, but unfortunately Mexico is considering only a “visa sticker in the passport” as a visa. There were many incidents where they didn’t accept BRP and sent the visitors back.

abdulfatah says

March 29, 2022 at 9:39 am

Hi, yes you can travel to Mexico without worry because I did it and I just showed them the UK visa and they let me in. That was in 2019.

March 31, 2022 at 4:48 am

Hi Abdulfatah! Thanks for the info!

Christinah Kompi says

March 5, 2022 at 11:55 pm

Thanks for this enlightening information, I just want to ask and get a clear understanding, I hold a Lesotho passport but currently reside in the UK with a tier2 visa/ BRP, can I travel to Ireland and France?

March 14, 2022 at 6:19 am

Hi Christinah! Unfortunately, no. For Ireland, you would need a UK short-stay visa and moreover, Lesotho passport holders are not eligible. For France, you would need a Schengen visa.

February 26, 2022 at 9:38 am

Hi Thirumal, I have a UK ILR with an Indian passport and I am planning on visiting Ireland. I thought that I would be able to visit Ireland with my ILR without applying for a Visa. However, I came across your post and noticed that ILRs are not accepted and it has to be a UK visa. Is this information correct? Sorry, just double-checking over here.

February 28, 2022 at 11:18 am

Hi Ryan! As far as I know, only UK citizens can travel to Ireland without a visa. UK ILR holds still needs a visa, or permission to enter Ireland. I have provided the links to the “original sources” where I have sourced the information from. Please take a look at those links.

Anuraag says

February 21, 2022 at 11:13 pm

Hi Thirumal, firstly thanks a lot for all the information. It’s really helpful to a lot of people. Cheers to that!!

My query is, I am an Indian passport holder and currently living in UK on a tier 2 dependent visa with my wife being the primary tier 2. We both have BRPs expiring in 2024. Can we both go to Dubai, Mexico, the Caribbean, Cyprus and Morocco without applying for the respective visas? Would be really grateful if you could answer this. Thanks again!

February 22, 2022 at 11:48 am

Hi Anuraag! You can visit Dubai and a few countries in the Caribbean with your UK BRP. But you cannot use your UK BRP for Mexico, Cyprus and Morocco. For Mexico, you need an ILR. For Cyprus and Morocco, you need visas from those countries.

Nomanuddin Khaja says

February 18, 2022 at 5:10 am

Hi, may I know if I can travel to all the above countries without a Schengen visa? I have an Indian passport with a tier 2 visa which is expired but have a 3yrs BRP.

February 20, 2022 at 12:17 pm

Hi Nomanuddin! Yes, but only to those non-Schengen countries in Europe such as Albania, Serbia or Montenegro.

February 8, 2022 at 2:11 am

Hello, I was refused entry into Mexico yesterday (Feb 6 2022 ) I have a student visa on my passport which expired 3 months after I got into uK ( which that’s how it’s supposed to be since I’ll be getting a study residence permit) I have student residence permit while my husband and daughter had a dependent residence permit. The immigration at Cancun said They won’t be letting us in since our Uk visa has expired and the permit we have is not a permanent residence permit but temporary. We were sent back on the same flight 11hrs back to the Uk which was a pretty annoying situation for me. So I want to know what happened since the article here says I can fly in with my BRP! And yes we all had a Nigerian passport

February 8, 2022 at 6:30 am

Hi Toyin! I’m sorry that happened to you. Mexico is constantly changing its rules these days. Yes, I have heard reports of tourists being sent back due to insufficient documentation or given only a few days to stay. I sympathize with your situation and I’m extremely sorry if the information here caused you trouble. But please read the disclaimer at the bottom of the article. I’m not affiliated with any governments or their immigration departments. So it’s impossible for me to have up-to-date info. Hence I provide links to the official sources so you can refer to them for up-to-date info and contact the relevant departments to confirm.

January 31, 2022 at 9:01 pm

Hi, I’m a British citizen and my wife is Thai with indefinite leave to remain visa now for many years and I’m only finding out from your page that there are countries we can travel together without another visa so, many thanks. Can she travel with me to some countries in Europe ie: ( Spain, Portugal, Italy ) other than the ones stated if traveling with me, a British passport holder? Again thanks!

February 2, 2022 at 6:28 am

Hi Kev! This was previously possible, where a non-EU spouse of UK national could travel to Schengen area with their UK spouse without needing a Schengen visa. But I assume that has changed since Brexit. I can’t find any official sources so I cannot confirm or deny this information. If I find any new info, I will update this article accordingly.

February 14, 2022 at 9:20 am

Hi, that is correct as just been in touch with the Portuguese embassy and they said my non-EU wife will need a Schengen visa to travel. Thanks for your help!

February 16, 2022 at 5:00 am

Thanks for the update, Kevin!

March 4, 2022 at 4:47 am

Hi, I’m an Ecuadorean citizen living in the UK. I have an ILR. Do I need a visa to enter Mexico? Thank you for your advice.

March 5, 2022 at 3:23 pm

Hi Galo! Since an ILR is a permanent residency, so yes, you can use your UK ILR to enter Mexico without a visa.

January 28, 2022 at 7:23 am

I am a dependent, my husband has his BRP as a student in UK, can I travel to Germany for a visit without applying for a visa?

February 2, 2022 at 8:05 am

Hi Dora! Unfortunately, no. You cannot use your UK dependent visa to enter Germanay. You need a Schengen visa.

Rinky Kukreja says

June 14, 2022 at 5:04 pm

I am a dependent and my husband is in Bahamas. I want to travel to the Bahamas for a vacation. Can I apply for a UK visa?

June 15, 2022 at 11:03 am

Hi Rinky! If you hold an Indian passport, then yes, you can visit the Bahamas with a UK visa. But applying for a UK visa with “visiting the Bahamas” as a purpose/reason may not work. You would need a reason to visit the UK in order to apply for a UK visa.

January 19, 2022 at 2:44 pm

Hi, thank you so much for taking your time to explain all this. It’s very helpful. Does this also apply to someone holding a UK refugee Travel document? Can they travel to the countries that accept BPR/ILR as well? Thank you!

January 21, 2022 at 5:34 am

Hi Sonia! Unfortunately, I don’t know if any of these countries accept a UK refugee travel document. The only way to be certain is to ask them directly. I have provided the original sources for each country. See if you can contact them directly and ask. Sorry again, I can’t be much help in your case.

December 22, 2021 at 11:48 am

Hi, I have seen conflicting advice, both on this board and elsewhere online, as to whether a BRP holder can travel to Costa Rica?

Earlier comments suggest this changed once the UK left the EU, yet if you look on the consular website, it states residents of the UK can enter. I believe I also phoned the UK consulate six months ago with the question and they said that BRP holders can enter, provided the BRP is valid for more than 6 months at entry.

I will likely call them again as looking to travel there, but if you have any updated info on this, then would be super helpful. Thank you!

December 27, 2021 at 5:29 am

Hi James! I believe you can still use your UK BRP to enter Costa Rica provided your BRP is valid for at least 6 months on the day of entry. But like you mentioned, due to the conflicting information and to avoid any confusion, I had to take Costa Rica off this list. But the IATA travel center says the following –

“Passengers with a machine-readable residence permit issued by the United Kingdom and valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date. They are visa-exempt for a maximum stay of 30 days”

NOTE: I will see if I can get hold of someone at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica for confirmation.

DILIP PRAJAPAT says

December 14, 2021 at 4:43 pm

I have a tier 4 UK student visa. I am holding an indian passport. Can I travel to these countries without a visa?

December 18, 2021 at 10:38 am

Hi Dilip! Except for Sint Maarten, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and UAE, you can use your tier 4 UK student visa for all countries. Those 4 countries do not accept tier 4 UK visas.

TINI TREESA JIJI says

December 20, 2021 at 12:44 pm

Hi Thirumal, I’m Tini and I have a tier 4 UK Visa and I hold an Indian passport. How can I visit Vancouver, Canada(BC) for a few days with my tier 4 UK visa? Thanks.

December 21, 2021 at 6:56 am

Hi Tini! Unfortunately, you CANNOT. Canada does not allow UK visitor visas. You need a Canada visitor/tourist visa to travel to Canada.

February 12, 2022 at 5:29 pm

Hi, I have a tier 4 visa student and my BRP is valid. I am holding a Lebanese passport. Can I travel to Canada without a visa?

February 16, 2022 at 5:09 am

Hi Ghada! Unfortunately, no. Canada does not accept UK visas. You must have a Canada visitor visa to travel to Canada.

Merazhdin says

February 20, 2022 at 9:45 am

Hi, thank you for all your help! I have a tier 5 visa seasonal worker visa. I have worked since October on the farm. My visa is not expired yet. Can I go to the Bahamas for a few days or for a weekend?

February 20, 2022 at 12:20 pm

Hi Merazhdin! Visa-free entry to the Bahamas with UK visa is only for Indian passport holders. If you hold an Indian passport, then yes, you can use your Indian passport and UK visa to travel to the Bahamas.

December 8, 2021 at 12:27 pm

Hi, I am a South African passport holder but reside in the UK and I have a BRP. I would like to know what countries I can travel to using my UK BRP without having to purchase a visa via my South African passport (please).

Ali Adnan says

December 7, 2021 at 1:34 pm

Hi, I am Pakistan national with UK ILR. I am traveling to Portugal for 3 days and then 2 weeks later I plan to travel to Germany for another 3 days to see my relatives there. I will be traveling with my 4-year-old daughter who is a British passport holder. Do I need a VISA to enter Portugal and/or Germany?

December 11, 2021 at 12:47 pm

Hi Ali! Yes, you will need a Schengen visa to enter Portugal or Germany. A non-EU citizen with ILR can travel to the Schengen area with a UK citizen spouse but that does not apply to children. Therefore, you would still need a Schengen visa even though your daughter is a UK citizen.

Sri Raja says

January 24, 2022 at 1:02 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am a UK citizen and my wife has a BRP and Indian Passport. My Kids have British Passports. We intend to travel to Spain. Would my wife need a Schengen visa to visit Spain even if she is accompanying a British spouse post Brexit? Before Brexit, she could definitely travel with me not sure if there is a change now!

January 26, 2022 at 5:52 am

Hi Sri Raja! Unfortunately, I don’t know either. Brexit made things complicated. I suggest contacting the Spanish embassy directly. If you find any information, let us know as well. The information can be useful to others.

December 5, 2021 at 11:39 am

I am Somalian. I have got UK Visa. Can I travel To South Africa to visit some of my relatives?

December 6, 2021 at 9:38 am

Hi Yusuf! No. You cannot use a UK visa to travel to South Africa. You need a South Africa visa.

Jaspinder Kaur says

December 8, 2021 at 11:09 am

Hi, I have a UK visa for 3 years. Can I go to Portugal? But I don’t understand I have to buy only a ticket for portugal? Or visa as well.

December 11, 2021 at 12:04 pm

Hi Jaspinder! You cannot use your UK visa to enter Portugal. Portugal is a Schengen country, so you would need a Schengen visa.

December 4, 2021 at 8:05 pm

Hello, does BRP you mentioned in this article have the same travel opportunities as the BRC? I recently got married and was issued the BRC under the EU exit settlement scheme. Can I visit these countries visa-free?

December 6, 2021 at 9:44 am

Hi Alex! Yes. BRP and BRC are considered the same for traveling to the countries in this article. To enter these countries, you need to prove that you have a right to stay in the UK. Therefore, a BRC works fine.

Elaine Fernandez says

November 20, 2021 at 1:58 am

Hi, I have a Philippines passport. I was to visit Albania with my visa from the UK Biometric Resident permit. Do I need a visa to go to Albania?

November 20, 2021 at 12:22 pm

Hi Elaine! You do not need a visa for Albania. You can use your Philippines passport and UK BRP to enter Albania without a visa.

Hammes says

September 26, 2021 at 10:17 am

I’m a Nigerian passport holder with my UK BRP card. Can I visit Jamaica?

September 29, 2021 at 8:04 am

Hi Hammes! Unfortunately, no. You would need to apply for a Jamaican visa prior to your trip.

Tyrone says

September 15, 2021 at 6:18 am

Hello, thanks for this article, it’s very helpful. I’m a Nigerian with a Nigerian passport and a UK tourist visa, can I enter Bosnia and Herzegovina?

September 15, 2021 at 7:21 am

Hi Tyrone! Unfortunately no. Bosnia and Herzegovina do not accept UK visas anymore. You would need to apply for a tourist visa for B&H.

September 13, 2021 at 12:09 am

My partner is in the UK on a family visa (valid until Nov 2022) he has an Egyptian passport.

We would like to visit Mexico next year, however, I have found a lot of conflicting information online about whether he needs to obtain a visa. Some places state he can only travel there visa-free if he has permanent UK residency, and others say any UK visa will allow him entry. Could you advise?

September 17, 2021 at 8:41 am

Hi Mila! I agree with the conflicting information. But as far as my knowledge goes, your partner can use his UK visa to enter Mexico. I have many readers who entered Mexico recently using their UK visas without any issues. If you like, I can get you in touch with them so you can ask any questions you have.

Nathalie says

February 13, 2022 at 12:32 pm

Hi There! Having the same issue for my cousins. They have UK BRPs “leave to remains” both valid for extended times. Mexico embassy via email says they need a visa, other parts of the website say they don’t. Any other experience stories you can share? Thanks!

February 16, 2022 at 5:06 am

Hi Nathalie! That’s correct! Only UK permanent resident cards are accepted. Mexico has been drastically changing its visa policies, so as of now, they are only accepting UK permanent resident cards (indefinite leave to remain). I don’t have experiences from others here but you can post on the FB group to see if anyone has similar experiences.

Sabnam says

September 5, 2021 at 10:18 pm

Hi, I have a Bangladeshi passport with a UK ILR. Do I need a visa or can I obtain a visa on arrival traveling from London to:-

1. Portugal 2. Dubai

My husband is a British Citizen intending to travel together.

September 12, 2021 at 7:43 am

Hi Sabnam! For Portugal, you can enter without a visa if traveling with your UK citizen husband. I don’t have an official link, so you would need to contact Portugal authorities to confirm. For Dubai, you would need to apply for a visa. If you are flying to and from Dubai with Emirates or FlyDubai, you can apply for UAE visa from the airline website. Hotel and travel agents in Dubai can also apply for visas for you.

Phani vatsa Varadaraja swamy says

April 16, 2022 at 11:35 am

Hi, I got Indian passport with 2 years UK visiting visa. Can I travel to Dominican Republic?

April 21, 2022 at 7:43 am

Hi Phani! Yes. You can travel to Dominican Republic visa-free with your India passport and UK vistor visa.

Hiba Shugaa says

August 29, 2021 at 6:01 pm

Hello, I am a British citizen and my husband joined me in the UK on a spouse visa (previously resident in Lebanon). He has a UK resident permit and has had it for almost 2 years. We plan on visiting Dubai, will he require a visa or can he be granted one upon arrival? Also is there a link you can share with me confirming that it’s okay to do so?

August 30, 2021 at 10:16 am

Hi Hiba! Lebanese citizens REQUIRE a visa for UAE. UAE visa is quite easy to get. Airlines, hotels and tour companies that operate from Dubai can apply a visa for your husband. Here is the official visa information and also a Dubai visa agent that I’m familiar with.

Choh Du says

September 5, 2021 at 8:37 am

Hi! Thanks for your help, a bit different question, do you know the list of visa-free countries for UK refugee travel document (blue)? Thank you!

September 12, 2021 at 8:34 am

Unfortunately, I don’t. I will do some research and will let you know.

Mustafa says

August 24, 2021 at 8:41 pm

Hi, I am a Pakistani passport holder, planning to visit Montenegro for 3 days in September. I am holding (2 years) UK valid visa. Can I enter Montenegro with it?

August 26, 2021 at 1:28 pm

Hi Mustafa! Yes, you can enter Montenegro with a valid UK visa for up to 30 days. For more info, refer to Article 7 in the Degree on visa regime published in May 2021.

yvi kay says

August 17, 2021 at 10:57 pm

Hi, I’m holding a UK ILR visa but a Philippine passport holder(Philippine Citizen). Do I need to apply for the visa if I want to travel to Japan? Thanks.

August 20, 2021 at 8:30 am

Hi Yvi Kay! Unfortunately, Japan does not allow UK visas or ILR. You have to apply for a Japan visa.

August 17, 2021 at 10:26 pm

Hi! Thanks for all the information. I’m holding a Libyan passport and I have a residence permit in the UK. Can I travel to Ecuador without a visa?

August 20, 2021 at 8:41 am

Hi Hatem! Unfortunately, Ecuador does not allow UK visas or residence permits. You must apply for an Ecuador tourist visa. Here is the link to the Ecuador visa application process .

Shanga Ali says

August 6, 2021 at 7:00 pm

Hi, I am an Iraqi national currently living in the UK on a BRP card that was issued to me on a spouse visa. My and my husband, who is a UK citizen, planning to travel to Croatia and Greece. Do I need to apply for a tourist Visa if we travel together? Many thanks.

August 16, 2021 at 4:24 am

Hi Shanga Ali! I apologize for the late response! Unfortunately, Croatia does not offer visa-free entry to UK BRP holders. But Greece, which is a Schengen country may offer visa-free entry to you if you travel with your husband who is a UK citizen. I suggest contacting both Croatia and Greece embassies to confirm as requirements are changing every day due to covid. Good luck!

August 2, 2021 at 8:39 am

Hi Dear, I have a valid UK spouse visa and I wanted to know if I can use it to travel Mexico visa-free as a Nigerian passport holder

August 3, 2021 at 7:28 am

Hi Lizzi! Yes, you can use your UK spouse visa to enter Mexico visa-free. Any type of UK visa can be used to enter Mexico without needing a separate Mexico visa. Here is the official information from the Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria website.

December 4, 2021 at 7:25 pm

Hello boss, thanks for the info. Kindly add my email to your blog mailing list. I’m visiting Mexico in February with a UK visa. Can I reapply for a UK visa from the Mexico UK office, since I’m not a resident or do I’ve to go back to Nigeria to reapply? Thx

December 6, 2021 at 9:54 am

Hi Uche! You can apply for a UK visa from a third country. So yes, you can apply for your UK visa while you are in Mexico. Keep in mind that UK visa will take up to 30 days or even longer in some cases. Make sure you have enough time in Mexico.

January 8, 2022 at 3:28 pm

Hi, thanks for this article. I have an ILR but hold a Nigerian passport.

Are you saying I can literally book a flight ticket and head to the airport for any of the countries you have listed above except of course (Jamaica, Dubai and the rest that require a visa)? Just wanted to confirm as this is exciting. Thanks and I anticipate a response.

January 12, 2022 at 7:24 am

Hi Kenny! That’s correct! All these countries accept UK visas/ILR and you do not need to apply for separate visas. That’s about visas but for COVID-related entry requirements (vaccine cert, PCR test, health declarations, quarantine, etc.), you will have to do your own research.

July 30, 2021 at 10:22 am

First I’d like to say a very big thank you for this informative and insightful information. I’ve noticed some countries like the Philippines and Singapore for example have following nationalities only, but also all valid ILRs. I’m a bit confused. As a Nigerian national with a British ILR, would I still need a visa to enter the Philippines and Singapore, as my country isn’t listed under them? Many thanks

August 2, 2021 at 6:57 am

Hi Mate! That’s correct. The visa-free entry provision is only for the nationalities listed that hold a British ILR. Since your nationality is not on that list, you would need to get a visa for those countries even though you hold British ILR.

July 19, 2021 at 11:14 pm

Hey. So I want to eventually visit England and then from there, Norway in December. I have a Pakistani passport and I’m a student in the US with an F1 visa. I plan on traveling from here and then back home in Pakistan for winter break before I eventually come back to the US in January. Please help me with ideas about visas and what should my process be!

July 21, 2021 at 6:13 am

Hi KM! Yes, that’s doable. In fact, that’s what I did when I traveled to the UK. I was in the US back then. So I traveled to the UK for a few days and then to India to see my family. Later flew back to the US. That’s an acceptable itinerary for the UK visa, so you will be fine. Also, since you are planning to travel to Norway, you would need to get your Schengen visa too before heading to England.

Bella T says

June 25, 2021 at 12:16 pm

Hello Sir, My mother is currently in the UK on Type C Visitor 10 year multiple entry Visa and her visa does not expire till 2023. Can she visit Gibraltar with us for 3-5 days and come back to the UK again. I, my husband and my daughter have British passports but my mother has an Indian passport. My mother is fully vaccinated. Also with regards to 180 days limit on each visit to the UK how does that work? So does that mean she can only visit Gibraltar within 180 days of her stay in the UK? Can she travel to Gibraltar 2 days before her 180 days expires and stays in Gibraltar for 5 days and come back in UK as new entry. How do 180 days work on a 10-year visa because so far she has never stayed for more than 3-4 months on every visit but due to the pandemic and passing away of my father she is unable to travel to India until all travel restrictions are lifted and also there is no one to look after her in India. I would greatly appreciate your advice.

Thirumal says

June 25, 2021 at 3:22 pm

Hi Bella! Your mother can visit Gibraltar with her UK visa. But I’m not aware if there are any changes to visas due to COVID travel restrictions. To confirm, I suggest emailing Gibraltar Borders and Coast Guards at [email protected] .

Regarding the 180 day entry back in the UK, I believe visiting Gibraltar is considered as exiting the UK. So, on re-entry, she will get another 180 days.

Note: I have also responded to the same question from your husband on the FB group.

Mambu Kossa says

June 24, 2021 at 3:57 pm

Hello, I have hold passport with residence permit inside and I have new passport same names. Can I travel with two passport together to Romania.

June 25, 2021 at 5:04 am

Hi Mambu Kosa! Unfortunately, Romania has repealed visa-free access to UK residence permit holders. You have to apply for a Romania visa. I will update the article accordingly soon.

On the other note, your residence permit in old passport is still valid. You just have to carry both passports when you travel.

Muneeb Ahmad says

May 15, 2021 at 7:05 am

Hello! Very informative article. I just wanted to confirm if I could go to Serbia with my Type C UK visa. I have a Pakistani passport. Eager to hear from you.

May 17, 2021 at 8:45 am

Hi Muneeb! As per their 2014 regulation, passport holders with visas from the US, UK and Schengen are allowed entry. The requirement page on the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website is currently down. But embassy websites are still mentioning that you can use your UK visa. I suggest contacting the Honorary Consulate in Karachi or the Serbian embassy in Beijing to confirm. A few useful links below.

June 14, 2021 at 5:50 pm

Hello! Sorry to jump on the post – thank you for such a comprehensive list. I can see that the Serbian embassy page related to this is still down. Do you know with a South African passport if it is possible to travel to Serbia on a UK Ancestry visa?

June 15, 2021 at 9:40 am

Hi Chris! Unfortunately, the page is still down. But, the Embassy of Serbia in Pretoria website still says that you can still use your UK visa to travel to Serbia. Email or give them a quick call to confirm. Here is their contact information .

Salem H says

June 24, 2021 at 12:40 pm

Hello, I hold a UK (ILR), and my brother holds a BRP with more than 2 years validity. I would like to confirm wether I could enter Romania for a short stay without visa, as I still couldn’t get any official confirmation from Romanian embassy website or any other trusted source. Hope to hear back from you ASAP.

June 25, 2021 at 5:02 am

Hi Salem! Unfortunately, Romania has repealed visa-free access to UK ILR/BRP holders. I apologize for not updating the article accordingly. As of now, your only option is to apply for a Romania visa.

NOTE: Romania still allows visa-free entry for those with double/multiple entry Schengen visas or residence permit in any Schengen country.

December 9, 2020 at 6:27 pm

Hi, will Chinese citizens who hold a BRP still be able to enter Montenegro without needing to obtain a visa in 2021? There is no clear answer to this issue on their embassy website.

December 10, 2020 at 5:28 am

Hi Fei! Yes, Chinese citizens with UK BRP can enter Montenegro for up to 30 days without needing a separate visa. The info on the official websites is not clear but TIMATIC clearly says “ Passengers with a residence or a re-entry permit, valid for the period of stay, issued by United Kingdom for a maximum stay of 30 days. “. TIMATIC is maintained by IATA and all airlines use this database for making sure the passengers have the correct documents when flying into a country.

Nkwaya Chris Ikuzo says

September 14, 2020 at 12:57 am

Hey, I have a Rwandan passport and a UK tier 4 visa with BRP. Can I go to northern Cyprus without applying for a visa.

September 26, 2020 at 8:35 am

Hi Nkwaya! Pretty much all nationalities including Rwandans can get visa on arrival at the ports in Northern Cyprus. The only way to go to Northern Cyprus is by taking a taxi from Southern Cyprus for which you need a Schengen visa. Or, by taking a flight/ferry from Turkey for which you need a Turkish visa.

With your Rwandan passport and UK BRP, you are eligible to apply for Turkey eVisa. Turkey eVisa is single-entry only so you may have to apply for the eVisa twice.

Abdullah says

June 2, 2020 at 9:42 pm

Hi, I am Yemeni National currently living in the UK on a BRP card which was issued to me on a spouse visa, me and my wife (UK citizen )planning to travel by car to France together.

Do I need to apply for a tourist visa if I am traveling with her, and what are the required documents?

June 8, 2020 at 11:00 am

Hi Abdullah! If you hold a UK BRP and will be traveling to France with your UK citizen wife, you do not need a Schengen visa. But keep in mind, you both have to travel together, your wife must carry her UK passport, you have to carry your UK BRP and evidence that you are her husband. For more information, go to SchengenVisaInfo.com and scroll down to “Does the spouse of British national with UK permanent residence need a Schengen visa?” section.

Lisa Kilvington says

January 12, 2021 at 2:26 pm

Hi, this was not the case. I am UK permanent resident with ILR. I still needed to apply for a Schengen visa (even though it was free to me) before entering any Schengen countries with my late English husband.

Tariq Ahmed says

May 4, 2020 at 2:29 am

Hi, I have a Pakistani passport, currently living in the UK on a BRP card which was issued to me on a spouse visa, I just want to know that all the countries which you have mentioned here is still visa free to travel without taking confirmation from their consulates including Mexico.

May 9, 2020 at 5:35 am

Hi Tariq! I believe these countries are still visa-free as I have updated this article in April (last month) with the latest requirements. I don’t think anything would have changed in just one month. That being said, COVID-19 is affecting travel. Check if the flights have started running and these countries have started accepting tourists.

Sourav Dutta says

February 24, 2020 at 4:41 pm

I am an India Passport holder having UK BRP, trier 2 ICT visa. My wife and daughter are having dependent visa with BRP. Without applying any visa, which all countries I can travel along with my Spouse and Daughter with UK BRP and Indian passport only?

February 27, 2020 at 5:08 am

Hi Sourav! You all can use your UK BRPs to travel to quite a few countries. I have researched and updated the article to indicate if BRPs and/or ILRs can be used for these countries. Go through the list of countries and look for “Permitted residence permits” to see if a BRP is accepted to enter.

Saurabh Sal says

September 2, 2020 at 8:24 pm

Hi, you have mentioned that UK BRP card holders can travel to Romania. Unfortunately, I submitted my documents i.e Indian passport and ILR card and the consulate told me to apply for a tourist visa.

September 9, 2020 at 7:33 am

Hi Saurabh! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania website says holders of “permanent residence permits issued by the UK or Ireland (the validity of which is of 5 years or more)” do to require a visa for Romania. All Romanian consulates must be aware of this requirement unless there is a change due to COVID travel restrictions. I suggest sending this link to the consulate and asking if it still holds true. Also, you can contact Romania MFA directly to confirm.

Mahmoud says

February 11, 2020 at 11:14 am

I have an Egyptian passport and a UK student visa. Can I visit turkey visa free?

February 17, 2020 at 5:21 am

Hi Mahmoud! It’s not visa-free, but with your Egyptian passport and UK student visa, you are eligible to apply Turkey eVisa. With your Turkey eVisa you can visit Turkey for up to 30 days.

Warda fatima says

February 3, 2020 at 4:28 pm

Hi, I live in Dubai. I have a UK Visa. I will be traveling in March to visit my sister in the UK. We plan to travel to Paris and Switzerland. Do I need to apply for a Schengen visa from here? Do I have to provide travel tickets too with hotel bookings? As my plan is not yet final. Thank you.

February 5, 2020 at 8:32 am

Hi Warda fatima! You NEED a Schengen visa to travel to France and Switzerland. You cannot use your UK visa, you must hold a Schengen visa to travel to France/Switzerland.

Yes, you must apply for your Schengen visa from Dubai. Yes, only a flight itinerary and refundable hotel bookings. You can use a visa ticket booking agency such as DummyTicket to get a flight itinerary and booking.com/Expedia for refundable hotel bookings.

C. M. Antony says

January 31, 2020 at 7:49 pm

Hi, I am an Indian national holding Indian passport working in Qatar. I have applied for UK short visit visa from Qatar VSF and got it for 180 days multiple-entry. Please confirm whether I can visit Ireland from the UK within the visa period and back to Qatar from Dublin.

February 2, 2020 at 7:33 am

Hi Antony! Yes, you can visit Ireland with your India passport and existing UK visa. But keep in mind that you can only enter and stay in Ireland within the “leave to remain” period on your UK entry stamp (not your UK visa validity period). And yes, you can return to Qatar directly from Dublin.

How long can you stay in Ireland? Explained below. Assume that you enter the UK on 01 March 2020. UK immigration officer at the airport grants you a 30-day entry (leave to remain period). That means you can stay in the UK until 30 March 2020. You stay in the UK for 10 days and you enter Ireland on 10 March 2020. You will be given a 20-day entry only in Ireland since only 20 days are remaining on “your leave to remain in the UK”. You have to leave Ireland on or before 30 March 2020.

January 28, 2020 at 8:51 pm

Hello, I am an Indian, currently in the UK on tier 5 dependent visa. I have a BRP. Do I need a visa to attend an exam in Dublin? Thanks.

February 2, 2020 at 8:46 am

Hi Nimi! Yes, you REQUIRE a visa to sit in an exam in Dublin. You need an Irish Exam Visa for that.

The Irish visa waiver program for Indians is only for those with a short-stay UK visa such as a Standard Visitor visa or a Short-term Study visa. A UK BRP cannot be used to enter Ireland.

Khaldoon says

January 26, 2020 at 8:00 am

Hi, I am a student at a UK university, holding Jordanian passport, also I have BRP. Can I travel to the mentioned countries above with my family as my children don’t have BRP because they are less 18 (9,8,4)?

February 27, 2020 at 7:08 am

Hi Khaldoon! Your children must also have a BRP or UK visa. Everyone in the family has to have either a UK BRP or UK visa to enter these countries with their Jordanian passports.

January 24, 2020 at 12:06 am

I’m having UK visit visa and I want to travel to Mexico. But I read in Mexico government website only UK permanent residence holders can enter visa-free. How can you say that UK visit visa holders can go there on a visit visa? I’m Pakistan national.

January 25, 2020 at 9:31 am

Hi Hadi! Mexico visa information is not consistent across all government websites. If you check on any Mexico consulate/embassy websites, you will see that UK visa holders can also enter Mexico visa-free. On top of that, many readers have reported that they have successfully used their UK visas to travel to Mexico.

January 17, 2020 at 2:53 am

Saudi Arabia started to allow the holders of UK Visa to get visa on arrival. Please check this link for your reference:

I am a spouse of a UK citizen holding a UK residents visa. I’m planning to visit with my wife Croatia. Do I need a visa ? If yes may I know how and where to apply for it?

January 17, 2020 at 5:06 am

Hi Abdullah! Thanks for the information. I will update the article soon.

Croatia does not honor UK visas, therefore you will have to apply for a Croatia visa. That being said, Schengen countries allow entry to spouses of UK citizens holding UK resident visas when traveling with their spouses. Croatia is not a Schengen country but honors Schengen visas. Therefore, they may allow entry to you without a visa if traveling with your spouse. So, check with the Croatian authorities first before applying for the visa.

If you have to apply for a Croatian visa, you must first apply online and then present the printed application along with documents at your nearest Croatian embassy. More information at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

January 20, 2020 at 3:10 pm

Thank you for your kind response. May I know if Romania allows entry to spouses of UK citizens holding UK resident visas when traveling with their spouses.

January 21, 2020 at 9:39 am

I don’t have confirmed information on that. Romania is in the process to join the Schengen agreement, so they might allow. Please check with the Romanian consulate for confirmation.

January 21, 2020 at 9:43 am

Yes, you can go to Romania with spouse but not alone.

Mehmood says

January 17, 2020 at 4:57 pm

I am a Pakistani passport holder and I have US and UK visas. Can I travel to SAUDIA or can I get a visa on arrival? If anyone has confirmed information please let me know. Thanks.

January 20, 2020 at 6:19 am

Hi Mehmood! You can get Visa on Arrival at the international airports in KSA. I have spoken to authorities and they said the information is confirmed. The information was posted on the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage website. Only Saudi national airlines (Saudia, Flynas, and Saudi Gulf) have been instructed to let travelers with US/UK/Schengen visas board their flights to KSA. Therefore, you must take one of the Saudi national airlines in order to get VOA.

January 16, 2020 at 6:21 am

Hello, can I go to Romania with my UK tourist visa? Or it only applies to people that have a permanent residence permit?

January 17, 2020 at 5:40 am

Hi Adion! No. You cannot enter Romania with your UK tourist visa. It applies to those with UK residence permits valid for 5 years or more.

Preksha says

January 15, 2020 at 12:22 pm

Hi, I hold an Indian passport and UK short term study visa till 7th July 2020. Can I travel to Turkey with this visa?

January 17, 2020 at 2:41 pm

Hi Preksha! Yes, you can use your UK short-term study visa to apply for Turkey eVisa. Turkey eVisa is valid for 6 months, grants 30-day entry and costs $43.

January 7, 2020 at 4:17 pm

Hi there. I’ve used your guide and it’s been really helpful! So I thought I’d pay it forward by letting others know that you can also travel to Jordan with a UK visa valid for longer than 6 months. The information is available on the Jordanian embassy website.

January 13, 2020 at 9:44 am

Hi D! Thank you very much for the information. When I check the Jordan embassy website , it says that residence in the UK is required and tourist/visit visas are not allowed. Can you please send me the link?

Saikou Bojang says

January 7, 2020 at 12:14 am

Hi, I’m having a UK visa of 6 months with multiple entry. My question is can I travel to Sweden with it?

January 13, 2020 at 10:03 am

Hi Saikou! No. You cannot enter Sweden with a UK visa. You require a Schengen visa for Sweden.

January 7, 2020 at 12:08 am

Hi, I’m a Gambian with a UK six months visa with multiple entry. My question is, if I want to go back to UK for 3 months holidays do I need to apply for a visa or just need to buy a ticket?

January 13, 2020 at 10:07 am

Hi Saikou! If your UK visa is still valid, you can enter the UK again. You don’t need to apply for a new visa. But keep in mind that staying 3 months in the UK on a visit visa will get you into trouble while leaving the UK or re-entering.

January 2, 2020 at 3:52 pm

Hi, I am a British citizen and planned to travel to Mexico in February with my family. I appreciate if you answer my following questions:

1. My wife has a spouse visa (BRP) which expires on 05/01/2021. Can she enter Mexico with her BRP? 2. My father and mother-in-law are Iranian and having a UK visit visa which will expire on 19/06/2020. Can they travel with us to Mexico?

Thanks for your time and effort in advance.

January 4, 2020 at 8:28 am

Hi Kevin! 1. Yes. Your wife can enter Mexico with her valid BRP. She does not need a separate Mexico visa. 2. Yes. Your father and mother-in-law can also enter Mexico with their valid UK visit visas. They also do not need separate Mexico visas.

Sundram singh says

November 27, 2019 at 10:25 pm

Thanks Thirumal for replying. I have one more question. I would like to know for applying for a multi-entry tourist Schengen visa for 6 months, which European country shall I opt for the visa interview. Additionally, if I don’t have to book and show a travel ticket in advance then it would be great.

November 30, 2019 at 5:10 am

Hi Sundram! It depends on your itinerary. As per the Schengen rules, you must apply for your Schengen visa from the embassy of the country that you will enter first or stay the longest in your itinerary.

Example 1: If you plan to travel to Spain (3 days), France (3 days) and the Netherlands (3 days), then you must apply for your visa at the Spain consulate as Spain will be your first country to enter on your itinerary.

Example 2: If you plan to travel to Spain (3 days), France (5 days) and the Netherlands (3 days), then you must apply for your visa at the France consulate as you will be staying the longest in France during your travel.

Schengen country consulates recommend NOT purchasing flight tickets before your visa is approved. So, you just have to show a flight itinerary for your visa. Once your visa is approved, you can purchase your flight tickets. To get a flight itinerary for your Schengen visa, refer to my article on travel itinerary for visa application .

January 5, 2020 at 11:00 am

I’m a Nigerian, using a Nigerian passport. I have a UK 5yrs visa. Do I need a visa to visit Mexico and Romania?

January 13, 2020 at 10:18 am

Hi C! You can visit Mexico with your Nigerian passport and UK visa. But for Romania, you would require a UK residence permit. UK visa is not eligible.

Winnie says

January 3, 2022 at 10:44 am

Hi, I’m a Nigerian with a student visa in Ireland. Can I travel to the UK without a UK Visa?

January 3, 2022 at 2:47 pm

Hi Winnie! Unfortunately, no. You cannot use your Irish student visa to enter the UK. You need a UK visitor visa.

Winifred Mando says

January 5, 2022 at 4:34 pm

Thank you so much for your prompt response. In a case where I have a UK Visitor Visa, can I visit Ireland for a few days without an Ireland visa?

January 6, 2022 at 6:19 am

Yes, but you must be from those 17 eligible nationalities (listed under Ireland in this article). Another option is to ask for BIVS (British Irish Visa Scheme) endorsement on your UK visa. If you have a BIVS endorsement on your UK visa, you can travel to UK and Ireland with a single UK visa.

Sundram says

November 15, 2019 at 1:46 pm

I am Sundram (Indian passport holder), currently working in the UK (under tier-2 ICT visa). I have a BRP (residence permit) which is valid for 1 year. I would like to know, do I need a Schengen visa to travel to Europe. I am a little bit confused now since the immigration officer told me just keep Indian passport along with this BRP and then you free to travel anywhere in Europe.

November 16, 2019 at 6:12 am

Hi Sundram! UK BRP holders REQUIRE a Schengen visa to travel to any of the 26 Schengen countries. There are many non-Schengen countries within the European continent that you can visit using your UK BRP. A few examples are – Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, etc. Please refer to the list of countries in this article for more information.

Anna Theresa Balatero says

July 25, 2021 at 4:14 am

Hi! Can I visit Georgia with my unused UK visa? I’m a Philippine passport holder. I wanted to use/maximize the use of my UK visa before it expires. I’m fully vaccinated of covid. I wanted to visit the UK but Unfortunately, until this moment, the UK government is not allowing visitors from the Philippines. Can you also advised what else/country I can visit right now with my unused UK visa? I’m feeling frustrated about not being able to use my UK visa.

July 29, 2021 at 5:37 am

Hi Anna! Yes, you can use your unused UK visa to enter Georgia. Georgia is only allowing vaccinated tourists, and since you are fully vaccinated, you can enter Georgia with your unused UK visa. Here are a few countries that you can enter with an unused UK visa and currently open for tourism – Turkey, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Mexico.

nachikethas says

November 11, 2019 at 4:55 pm

Hi Thirumal! I appreciate your efforts. I have a couple of doubts though. I have a BRP card valid from 2 October 2019 till 7th April 2020 (just more than 6 months). Is this enough to go to Peru? I’m planning for the Christmas holidays. Or do I need 6 months of validity from the day I land in Peru? Also, the flights from the UK are going through Madrid. Since the carrier is the same do I need a transit Schengen visa to switch flights in Madrid?

November 15, 2019 at 1:21 pm

Hi Nachikethas! If you have a BRP with indefinite leave to remain (ILR), you can use it to enter Peru. But your BRP has an expiry and it will not be considered as “permanent residence”. You cannot use your BRP as a “visa” either since it’s not a visa “sticker” in your passport.

If you have a UK visa sticker in your passport that would be valid for at least 6 months on the day you land in Peru, you can use it to enter Peru. Otherwise, unfortunately, you cannot.

October 18, 2019 at 5:42 pm

Hi, Thank you so much for this. I am holding a Chinese passport and have UK student visa. Just wanna make sure I don’t need a visa to enter Moldova for multiple times. The link is unfortunately broken. Can you send it to me again! Many thanks!

October 19, 2019 at 4:54 am

Hi Mindy! Chinese passport holders with a valid visa from “any country in the EU” can enter Moldova. The UK is still part of the EU since the Brexit is not finalized yet.

Sorry about the broken link. Here is the link to the requirements . Scroll all the way down. Expand the section that says “The list of countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when traveling to the Republic of Moldova”. Look for “China” in the list and read additional information.

Narjis says

September 18, 2019 at 5:41 pm

I’m Moroccan, I have a UK tourist visa of 2 years (but will expire on 10 March 2020). Which countries can I visit with that visa, please? Thank you!

September 20, 2019 at 4:35 am

Hi Narjis! You can travel to all the countries listed in this article that says “applies to all nationalities”. I will be updating the list soon, so you will have updated information for these countries.

Jeanette says

August 21, 2019 at 8:48 am

I’m a Filipino and a UK residency permit holder. Can I travel to Prague without a Schengen visa? Thanks.

August 25, 2019 at 9:50 am

Hi Jeanette! You would need a Schengen visa to travel to the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic does not honor UK visas or residence permits.

August 20, 2019 at 1:40 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have two questions that I was hoping you could answer.

I am an Indian national living in Australia as a permanent resident. I may be moving to the UK soon to start a job there. Can I travel across Europe on a UK work visa or would I need to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK?

Secondly, I am expecting to become an Australian citizen in a few months’ time. If I’m living and working in the UK while this happens, can I continue to use my Indian passport with the UK visa? I understand that I’m expected to give up my Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship but wouldn’t I lose all the visas issued to me If I did that?

August 25, 2019 at 4:33 am

Hi J! No. A UK visa cannot be used to travel across the Schengen zone. But there are some countries in Europe that you can enter using your UK visa or residence permit. Please refer to my article on VISA-FREE travel with UK visa for the list of countries.

You can keep using your India passport up to “3 months” from the date of acquiring your Australia citizenship. Using it beyond 3 months is an offense. Therefore, you will have 3 months to transfer over your UK work visa on to your Australia passport. I am not aware of the transfer procedure, so please contact UKVI.

For other unexpired visas on your India passport, you must first check if you can enter those countries without a visa with your Australia passport. If you can, then you are fine. If you can’t, please contact the embassies of those countries for the procedure to transfer those visas on to your Australia passport.

Also, you must surrender your India passport at the embassy of India in Australia within 3 years of acquiring your Australia citizenship. You will then be eligible to apply for OCI card which allows indefinite leave to remain in India.

Rafael Pagaling says

August 15, 2019 at 9:22 am

I am a Filipino with UK visa. Can I use it to visit Spain?

August 16, 2019 at 2:59 pm

Hi Rafael! You cannot use your UK visa to enter Spain. Spain is in the Schengen zone and you would need a Schengen visa.

Abdirizak says

August 9, 2019 at 8:49 pm

Hi Thirumal,

I have a 6 months visit visa to the UK. In your article, you mentioned that I can be eligible for a 30 days stay in Turkey. The question is, can I extend it to 60 or even 90?

August 12, 2019 at 9:36 am

Hi Abdirizak! Visa extension is not possible for eVisa. You can only stay for 30 days using an eVisa. If you stay longer than that on an eVisa, it can be considered as visa overstay. If you need to stay longer than 30 days in Turkey, you should apply for a pre-approved visa from the Turkish embassy or consulate.

mandal says

August 6, 2019 at 12:30 pm

Hi dear, I want to travel to Europe. I have a 11-months multiple short term student visa of UK. Can I travel to Europe on the UK visa? I’m a Mongolian passport holder.

August 7, 2019 at 1:15 pm

Hi Mandal! If your UK visa is a C-Type short stay/study visa, then yes, you can travel to the countries listed within “Europe” section such as Albania, Georgia, etc. Please note that you cannot travel to any Schengen countries as those countries require a Schengen visa.

MARY ANN SALAS says

August 6, 2019 at 9:43 am

Hi, could you please confirm if a Pakistani passport holder does not require Bahamas visa if he has a valid UK, US & Canada visa?

August 6, 2019 at 1:42 pm

Hi Mary! Unfortunately, Pakistan passport holders REQUIRE a visa for the Bahamas. Currently, the visa exemption with the US, UK or Canada visa is only for India passport holders.

July 31, 2019 at 2:57 pm

Hello Thirumal, well done with the good work you are doing here. I have two questions:

First question: I have a valid 2 years UK visa. Can I apply for a Cyprus Visa in London when I travel? I hold a Nigerian passport.

Second question: Can I stay in the UK for 6 months (the maximum time allowed) and travel out for a week and return again? Would I encounter problems coming back again?

August 3, 2019 at 8:40 am

1. I have never applied for a Cyprus visa, so I am not sure about the visa procedure. Please check with your nearest Cyprus embassy if you can apply for the visa while in the UK. 2. If you have requested your UK visa for a 6-month stay, then yes. But if you have requested your UK visa for a 2-week stay and you end up staying for 6 months in the UK, then you will face issues. You may face issues while leaving the country, entering back into the UK and even when applying for any future UK visas.

Daniel says

July 31, 2019 at 1:09 pm

Hello mate, thank you for helping everyone. I have a lot of questions there sorry haha. I am Cameroonian and I have indefinite leave to remain UK permit. 1- You said below that I don’t need a visa for Gibraltar but I don’t know how it works. Do I go with the passport and the IRL card? Are they going to put a stamp in the passport? Are they going to ask for more information about my stay? 2- Do I need a visa for Belize? 3- Do I need a visa for Mexico? 4- Do I need a visa for Romania 5- If not, is it the same process in the airport as Gibraltar? Thank you!

August 1, 2019 at 12:08 pm

1- You don’t need a visa for Gibraltar but you must meet the below requirement.

“Persons who hold indefinite leave to remain in the UK and persons who hold UK certificates of entitlement to the right of abode and have not been absent from the UK for more than 2 years.”

“Visa nationals who have a UK “certificate of entitlement to the right of abode” or “indefinite leave to remain in the UK”. The label must be in their current valid passport and not in an expired or cancelled passport;”

2- Unfortunately, Belize stopped honoring UK Residence Permits. Therefore, you cannot use your ILR card to enter Belize. (I will update the article soon) 3- Yes, you can use your ILR card to enter Mexico. 4- Yes. But you must meet the below requirement.

“The holders of permanent residence permits issued by the UK or Ireland (the validity of which is of 5 years or more). The right of stay on the territory of Romania shall not exceed the right of stay granted as per such residence permits.”

5- Yes. It’s the same process. You just have to show your current passport and ILR card.

August 3, 2019 at 3:48 pm

Thank you very much!

July 22, 2019 at 11:18 am

Hi, I have an Indian passport, married to British citizen so hold a UK spouse visa. Can I go to Barbados for a holiday? Thank you.

July 23, 2019 at 3:24 am

Hi Ruby! As far as my knowledge goes, India passport holders DO NOT REQUIRE a visa for Barbados. But there is conflicting information on the internet. I suggest contacting your nearest embassy or consulate of Barbados to confirm the requirements.

August 22, 2019 at 1:58 pm

Thanks. I have been going around in circles! The embassy website says Indians do need a visa. I called them and they said that I do not need a visa. Wikipedia says I do not. I contacted the airlines and they say I do need a visa. This is crazy!

August 26, 2019 at 5:01 am

Though the airline said that you need a visa, I’m sure they will let you board the flight. At the time of check-in, the airline staff refers to TIMATIC database to verify the visa requirements. TIMATIC says that India passport holders DO NOT REQUIRE a visa. Therefore, you will be allowed to board your flight to Barbados. Here is the link to TIMATIC on United Airlines if you like to verify and carry a print with you.

NOTE: TIMATIC is a paid service accessible only to airlines’ staff. Only a few airlines make it available to their passengers. One of them is United Airlines. It’s fine to take a print from United Airlines’ website even if your boarding airline is different.

July 19, 2019 at 2:09 pm

Hi, I just want to be clear. I am a Jamaican passport holder and my children have British passports. I have a UK limited leave to remain (biometric residence permit BPR) visa for 2.5 years which I renew every 2.5 years I am now on my third one as I am on a 10-year route to settlement as a parent and I am a UK resident. Can I use my BPR to travel to Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Island without the need to apply for a visa for those countries?

July 22, 2019 at 10:55 am

Hi Keema! Yes, you can use your UK BRP to travel to both Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands. For the Cayman Islands, you must fly directly from the UK to the Cayman Islands. Turks and Caicos don’t have such requirement, therefore you can fly into Turks and Caicos from anywhere.

Andrew says

July 19, 2019 at 12:26 pm

Hello sir! I am a Filipino with a UK permanent residence card issued at march 2011 and will expire in march 2021. I plan to travel to Romania but their website says that the permit must be valid for 5 years. I am not sure whether they mean valid for the next five years or with a total validity of 5 years since issue. Is it still possible to travel with my residence permit? Thank you!

July 22, 2019 at 10:48 am

Hi Andrew! It is the total validity of your permit. Residence permits that are issued with a validity of 5 or more years are eligible. Therefore, you can use your UK residence permit to enter Romania.

YOUSUF IQBAL says

July 16, 2019 at 1:50 pm

Hello Sir, I am traveling to the UK on visit visa type C. I intend to visit turkey for a week during my stay in the UK and want to return back to the UK before I go back to Pakistan. Is it possible on my visit visa? Would greatly appreciate your reply. Thank you.

July 19, 2019 at 10:57 am

Hi Yousuf! Since you have a valid UK visa, you are eligible to apply for Turkey eVisa. If your Turkey eVisa is approved, then you can enter Turkey with the eVisa.

July 19, 2019 at 11:09 am

Thank you so much sir for your reply. Will I then be able to come back to the UK from Turkey if my visa is valid. I have multiple entry UK visa. Regards

July 19, 2019 at 11:58 am

Yes. You can enter the UK again with your visa since your visa is multiple-entry.

swathi says

July 15, 2019 at 6:16 am

Hi Thirumal, can I know if a person holding an Indian passport? He is travelling from London to USA (ticket issued from India). Can we issue travel insurance from India? If not Why. Kindly help with this information.

July 16, 2019 at 1:05 am

Hi Swathi! Yes, you can purchase travel insurance from India though you are traveling to the US from the UK.

July 11, 2019 at 11:49 pm

I was recently refused a UK visa even though I had a 5 yrs US visa but never travelled with it. After the UK refusal, I got a 5 yr Canada visa too. I have since travelled to the US and Canada. What are my chances of getting the UK visa if I reapply?

July 12, 2019 at 12:57 pm

Hi Jaime! You have very good chances. But, your previous UK visa refusal could be a red flag. I suggest improving your travel history a bit more to compensate for that. Also, make sure you are “not making” any of the mistakes outlined in the article – UK visa refusal reasons .

Abiola says

June 26, 2019 at 7:26 am

Good day sir! You are really doing a great job. Please am a Nigerian and want to travel to Dublin with my UK 6 month visa. What will I need? And what is B I V S?

June 26, 2019 at 9:49 pm

Hi Abiola! Nigeria passport holders REQUIRE a visa for Ireland. You CANNOT use their UK visa to travel to Ireland unless the UK visa has BIVS. If you have a UK visa with BIVS, then you can travel to Ireland.

BIVS means, British Irish Visa Scheme. It’s a single visa for both UK and Ireland. You have to ask for BIVS at the time of applying for UK or Irish visa. Then you will be issued a visa with BIVS.

June 23, 2019 at 5:21 am

Firstly thanks a very nice and informative article. My parents have a 3-year Australian visitor/family visa, could they visit the UK on any visa exemption?

Really appreciate your response.

Regards, Kiran

June 23, 2019 at 6:39 pm

Hi Kiran! Unfortunately, they would need a UK tourist visa to visit the UK. They cannot use their Australia visa.

NOTE: There is a 24-hour entry provision for Australia visa holders but that is only when transiting through the UK while heading to Australia.

June 15, 2019 at 6:39 am

Hi there, I am from the Philippines holding a c-visit visa. Are all your list of countries above updated for the visa-free travel? I would like to visit Bosnia next week but I’m not sure whether I can go travel without having to apply for a separate visa. Many thanks!

June 16, 2019 at 11:55 pm

Hi April! I have updated this article in March but I haven’t found any changes since then. I suggest making a list of countries that you would be visiting in this trip and then using the links (official sources) I have provided to verify the requirements.

Prathik says

June 14, 2019 at 10:04 am

Hi, I have an Indian passport and a UK Tier 4 student visa with a BRP valid till October 2020. I have a university trip to France for 2 weeks. Is my BRP sufficient or will I need to apply for a Schengen Visa? Thank you.

June 14, 2019 at 9:00 pm

Hi Prathik! You need to apply for a Schengen visa. You cannot use your UK BRP to enter France (Schengen zone).

June 12, 2019 at 12:12 pm

Hi there. I have a Nigerian passport. Can I travel to the UK with a Canada visitor visa and or travel to Canada with a UK visitor visa. Thanks for your time.

June 12, 2019 at 4:44 pm

Hi King! Unfortunately, no. You CANNOT travel to the UK with Canada visa or Canada with a UK visa. There is a 24-hour entry provision at London’s Heathrow airport. If you are traveling to Canada via London’s Heathrow airport, you can request for a 24-hour entry at the Heathrow airport.

June 10, 2019 at 5:53 am

I want to travel to Ireland, Europe. Can I travel with a UK tourist visa to Ireland? And if yes, then there is one past rule that after or within 6 months you have to enter UK for at least once. And a Schengen visa is required or not.

June 10, 2019 at 10:10 pm

Hi Piyu! You can travel to Ireland with a UK visa. But there are two types of UK visas and the rules are different.

UK short stay visa: If you have this visa, you must first enter the UK. From there, you can enter Ireland by land or air. Your stay in Ireland must be within the “leave to enter” time specified in the UK entry stamp. UK short stay visa with BIVS: If you have this visa, you can enter Ireland any time. You don’t have to enter the UK at all.

A Schengen visa cannot be used for Ireland as Ireland is not part of the Schengen zone. You would need an Irish tourist visa.

Anandakumar says

June 1, 2019 at 7:27 pm

Dear Thirumal, Thanks for sharing this blog. It was really useful it worked well for me.

I travelled – Serbia – Bosnia – Montenegro – Albania – Macedonia – And Turkey (evisa) With my UK multiple entry Visa Thanks again!

June 4, 2019 at 2:25 am

Hi Ananda Kumar! That’s fantastic! I’m glad the article was useful in your travel through those countries. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Mshoaib says

May 24, 2019 at 10:59 am

Dear, I have a UK visitor visa. After attending my business meeting, can I go around for the six months to allowed countries from the UK?

Another question is whether Malaysia is on the list? If not, what is the legal process to visit Malaysia after being entered to the UK in visit visa?

May 27, 2019 at 11:41 pm

Hi Mshoaib! Yes, you can travel to the countries listed in this article with your UK visa after your business meeting in the UK.

You cannot use your UK visa to enter Malaysia. You would need a Malaysia visa. You can refer to my Malaysia visa guide for more details.

Muhammad Zargham Haider says

May 22, 2019 at 9:36 am

Hi, I am Zargham from Pakistan. I got a UK visit visa (6-Month). I want to visit Turkey on my way back from the UK to Pakistan. As per your suggestion, I will have to obtain E-Visa for Turkey or I can have a transit visa while traveling back through Turk Air.

Please also guide if I get Russian visit visa, are there other countries I can visit too?

May 22, 2019 at 3:40 pm

Hi Zargham! Yes, you can obtain eVisa for Turkey using your UK visa. I’m not aware of the transit visa facility by Turk Air. So, I cannot comment on that.

Unfortunately, Russian visa does not give access to any other countries.

May 20, 2019 at 6:07 pm

Hello, I have a UK six month visa and I am planning to travel to Dublin from London for 2 days. I am an Indian citizen but applied for the UK visitor visa from the UAE (I live in Dubai). Will I be able to travel to Dublin? visa type is UKVI05 multiple entries valid for 180 days, C visit.

May 22, 2019 at 4:05 am

Hi Cruz! Yes, you can enter Ireland from the UK using your UK short stay visa. No separate visa for Ireland is necessary. Make sure you follow the below two rules –

– Must have entered the UK and went through the UK immigration before entering Ireland – Must enter Ireland within the exit date on your UK entry stamp (this is different than visa expiry date)

Sameera Buddhika says

May 9, 2019 at 1:27 pm

Hi Mr. Thirumal I have a previous UK student visa, and now it has expired. I am a Sri Lankan passport holder. So, is there any European countries that I can travel with that previous visa? Thank you in advance!

May 10, 2019 at 10:09 pm

Hi Sameera! Unfortunately, no. All countries in Europe require the UK visa to be valid.

There are one or two countries in this list (non-European) that accept expired visas. One of them being Taiwan, but their visa exemption with a UK visa is not applicable to Sri Lankan passport holders.

Dr Jayanti mehta says

May 8, 2019 at 10:41 am

Dear sir/Madam, I have UK/USA & CANADA multiple tourist visas. How many countries I can travel visa-free? I have returned confirmed air tickets. Please guide me I want to travel in June/July & August 2019. Thanks.

May 8, 2019 at 2:41 pm

Hi Dr. Mehta! With your UK, US and Canada visas, you can travel up to 37 countries. I suggest referring to the below articles along with this article.

– VISA-FREE countries for US visa – How to make your weak passport strong

May 3, 2019 at 3:46 pm

Thanks bro! You are doing an amazing job. Today I got an email confirmation from Costa Rica embassy in London. I share with you. so it might help you to advise. Again thanks!

Email received on:- 03 May 2019 Dear Mr. Patel,

Holders of a UK residence permit can go without a consular visa, provided the residence card is valid for 6 months from the day of entry into Costa Rica, and could be allowed to stay up to 30 days.

You need to show a return ticket or ongoing travel, hotel reservation and proof of financial means (credit cards), if requested.

Jorge Aguilar Minister Counsellor and Consul General Embassy of Costa Rica 23 Woodstock Street, Mayfair London W1C 2AS, United Kingdom phone 020 7629 3111

May 3, 2019 at 6:44 pm

Hi Sunny! Thanks for the information and the email! Very useful! I will advise our readers/community accordingly. Thanks again!

May 2, 2019 at 7:23 pm

But Brexit is not done yet the UK still part of the EU. I called Costa Rica embassy in London today. The lady was on phone, she said you are good to go with out visa but it’s so confusing man. Please find some information for me. Thanks!

May 2, 2019 at 10:31 pm

Hi Sunny! If it’s confusing for just one country, imagine how confusing it would be to update this entire article. Brexit, it’s delays and extensions are causing confusion to many countries and travelers. I’m waiting for official information from these countries whether they allow UK visa, but I guess they are waiting for the final word on Brexit as well.

Anyways, you are told that you are good to use your UK visa. Enjoy your trip to Costa Rica!

May 2, 2019 at 3:43 pm

Hello, I have UK student visa valid till October 2020. We planned to visit Costa Rica on 27 May. So with Indian passport can we travel without a visa?

May 2, 2019 at 6:16 pm

Hi Sunny! Unfortunately, NO. Costa Rica allowed residence permits from any country in the EU. But the UK ceased to be in the EU and therefore UK residence permits are not eligible for Costa Rica anymore.

NOTE: I’m yet to update this article after Brexit. I’m making my best efforts to update it as soon as I can.

Amir Iqbal says

May 2, 2019 at 10:54 am

Hello, I hold a Schengen student visa and a UK tourist visa on my Indian passport. I need to travel to Dubai, as per the blog’s info I do not need UAE visa. Do I need to undergo any other formalities before my travel? Thanks for answering.

May 2, 2019 at 6:07 pm

Hi Amir! YOU NEED A VISA for UAE. You cannot use your UK tourist visa. You would need a UK residence permit.

April 28, 2019 at 5:39 am

Hi, I am an Indian passport holder and wanted to check if I can go to Bermuda with a UK visitor visa (C category for 6 months) from India. Further, do I need to file for a Bermuda eVisa online also?

April 29, 2019 at 8:37 pm

Hi Ish! If you hold a “multiple-entry” UK visitor visa, you can enter Bermuda without needing a separate visa. Refer to the official information on Government of Bermuda website.

Dr Purushottam Padala says

April 27, 2019 at 12:32 pm

Hi Thirumal. You are doing a great job helping out on this lovely blog.

I and all my family have a Permanent residence (PR) visa to the UK on my Indian passport. This visa was issued 12 yrs ago on my previous passport, which I always keep stapled to my new passport so that whenever I travel to the UK I do not have a problem.

Can I travel to the Schengen area on my UK PR without visa requirement especially so because it is on my old passport?

Although you have mentioned one can, there is information to the contrary on the web that you need a Schengen visa.

I also have a 10 yr B1/B2 to the US on my new passport, if it helps to visit Schengen without a visa.

Thanks in advance

April 30, 2019 at 9:01 pm

Hi Dr. Purushottam! Unfortunately, you CANNOT use your UK PR or US B1/B2 visa to enter any country in the Schengen zone. You would need a Schengen visa to travel to any Schengen country.

April 17, 2019 at 1:50 am

I am from Nigeria and I have a UK visitors visa. I’ve used it a lot and I’d like to know if I can go to Romania without having to apply for a Romanian visa for tourism.

April 17, 2019 at 6:58 pm

Hi Ayo! No, you CANNOT use your UK visitor visa to enter Romania. You would need a UK Residence Permit to enter Romania.

April 8, 2019 at 9:36 am

Hi Is this list valid for people holding a UK BRP (Bio metric residence permit) valid for 2 years. It’s normally issued if you are working in UK but not a permanent resident.

April 8, 2019 at 11:33 pm

Hi Adil! Yes, the list is applicable for UK BRP holders as well. First, go through the article and prepare a list of countries you want to visit. Then go through the official sources to make sure your BRP can be used. Visa requirements constantly change and it’s very difficult for me to keep the list up to date. You will have to do your due diligence as well before traveling to these countries.

Ibrahim Taiwo says

April 8, 2019 at 3:05 am

Please can i travel to any Schengen countries with my UK visit visa.

And which Schengen country is that.

April 8, 2019 at 8:47 pm

Hi Ibrahim! No, you CANNOT travel to Schengen countries with a UK visa. You would need a Schengen visa to enter any Schengen country.

April 7, 2019 at 6:25 pm

Good day sir!

Please, can I travel with the UK visit visa to all the countries mentioned? Please, I want to know the countries I can visit with UK VISIT VISA without a visa.

April 7, 2019 at 11:45 pm

Hi Ibrahim! Yes, you can visit all the countries in this article with your UK visit visa. There have been some changes since last month as the UK ceased to be part of the EU because of Brexit. I haven’t received updates from some countries and the updates are still pending. Therefore, make a list of countries that you like to travel with your UK visa and let me know. I can check and confirm that you can use your UK visa for those countries.

Prasanth says

April 2, 2019 at 10:29 am

Thanks Thirumal for the quick response

April 1, 2019 at 7:11 am

I am indian passport holder with a UK BRP card valid for another 2 years, from the above i see that i should apply for a evisa to the above countries you mentioned through their respective consulate websites if i need to travel.

Is there any country(Asian/European) for which i can travel without visa at all since i hold the residence to UK.

Thank you Prasanth

April 2, 2019 at 1:01 am

Hi Prasanth! You are VISA EXEMPT (without visa) for the above countries if holding a UK visa, except Turkey (eVisa), Oman (eVisa), Qatar (eTA) and Taiwan (eTA).

August 9, 2019 at 2:13 pm

I have a UK 5 years visa. Can I go to Ireland alone?

August 12, 2019 at 9:50 am

Hi Atif! You cannot go to Ireland directly with your UK visa. You have to enter the UK first and then go to Ireland by land or air. Also, you must hold a passport listed under “14. Ireland”

NOTE: If you have a UK visa with BIVS, then you can go to Ireland without going to the UK first. This applies to all nationalities.

August 12, 2019 at 4:37 pm

Dear, I have pre-settlement visa 5 years card. Where I can go on that without a visa? Thanks for your quick response.

August 14, 2019 at 7:43 am

Hi Atif! I don’t know much about the pre-settlement visa. If it’s a “residence permit”, then you may be able to visit the countries listed out in “VISA-FREE travel with UK Permanent Residency”.

Inayat says

March 30, 2019 at 7:27 pm

I am travelling to Mexico and as I hold a Standard Visa of UK. I don’t need a separate Mexico visa. As the embassy site clarifies that I would not need one. Do you agree? Just want to have a double confirmation. I hold a Pakistani passport. Appreciate your help.

March 30, 2019 at 9:38 pm

Hi Inayat! Different Mexico consulate sites are saying differently on the UK visa. I have had many readers use their UK visas without any issues so far.

MOHAMMED says

March 27, 2019 at 12:26 pm

You cannot go to Bosnia and Herzegovina with a UK VISA, you can visit Bosnia and Herzegovina only by schengen or USA visa or residence permit… Please try to be accurate next time and thanks for your effort…

March 28, 2019 at 3:18 am

Hi Mohammed! Thanks for the update! UK ceased to be a member of EU from this month due to Brexit. Therefore Bosnia and Herzegovina do not honor UK visas anymore. I will be updating the article this week and I’m waiting for official confirmations from some more countries.

Regarding being accurate next time, first of all, it’s highly impossible to be up to date with 200+ countries’ visa requirements for 200+ nationalities. That is close to 40,000 individual visa requirements. I continuously check with authorities, but not all 200+ countries respond in a timely fashion. There may be inaccuracies due to such delays.

March 23, 2019 at 5:15 am

Hi, are you saying you dont need a visa to Qatar if you have UK visa? My husband and kids (Nigeria passport holders) had UK visa and they wanted to go to Qatar from London but the airline staff asked them to present their Qatar visa before they can be checked in.

March 24, 2019 at 1:00 am

Hi Okin! Even if you hold a UK visa, you would need to first apply for Qatar eTA. With an approved eTA, you can get Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the arriving airport in Qatar. If you do not hold an approved eTA from Qatar, the airline will not allow you to board the plane.

If you read carefully, I have clearly mentioned that “Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for eTA and then avail Visa ON ARRIVAL at international airports in Qatar”

March 18, 2019 at 11:14 pm

I am a Nigerian passport holder on a UK tier 4 student visa currently studying in the UK. My question is, can I apply for a US visa from the American embassy here in UK or as a UK visa holder will I be allowed to just travel to the US for a short visit without a valid US visa .

March 19, 2019 at 5:58 am

Hi Sonia! Yes, you can apply for a US visa from the UK. And no, you cannot use your UK visa to enter the US. You would need a US visa.

March 14, 2019 at 4:49 am

Hi, what are the countries near to United Kingdom you can visit if you have a UK- visit visa from Dubai? Holding a Philippine passport.

March 15, 2019 at 8:39 pm

Hi Mitch! You can visit Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Qatar with Philippines passport and UK visa. These countries are all near to the UK and UAE.

March 13, 2019 at 9:00 am

Hi I am a Kosovo citizen I have 6 mounth Touristic Uk visa can I travel in country such as Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and Mexico?

March 14, 2019 at 3:20 am

Hi Arba! Yes, if you hold a Kosovo passport and valid UK visa, you can travel to Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and Mexico.

Oyewale says

March 1, 2019 at 7:03 pm

I am a Nigerian currently in uk with a Nigeria passport can I apply for Ireland visa from England?

March 1, 2019 at 9:22 pm

Hi Oyewale! Yes, you can apply for Ireland visa from England.

March 1, 2019 at 12:30 am

Hi thirumal Great article Im British and my wife has Indian passport with dependent visa (brp) She will be a permanent resident next year Does she qualify for the visa free countries on her current visa? Many thanks

March 1, 2019 at 6:11 pm

Hi Biju! Yes, your wife qualifies for VISA-FREE travel to all of the countries in the list, except Ireland. Ireland requires a UK short stay C-Type visa. But your wife can secure an Irish visa easily as there are special provisions for those with UK long stay visas.

February 24, 2019 at 10:01 pm

Hello Thirumal! I have a Thai passport and also UK tourist visa that is multiple entry and valid for 6 months. I am a US resident travelling from New York to England. My question is, can I visit Dublin after England? Or I can only visit north Ireland? Please help me. I am so confused now.

February 25, 2019 at 2:52 am

Hi Lali! With your Thai passport and UK visa, you can enter Dublin (Ireland). If you follow the below rules, you can enter Ireland using your UK visa.

Rules – Your UK visa must be a UK short stay visa – When you enter the UK, you will be given an entry stamp in your passport. Check the “date of exit” on that stamp. You can only enter and remain in Ireland (including Dublin) within that “date of exit” given by the UK. – The entry in Ireland will be up to 90 days or until the “date of exit” on the UK entry stamp, whichever is shorter

Note: “Northern Ireland” is part of the United Kingdom itself. Whereas, “Ireland” is a separate country and needs an Irish visa. But you can enter “Ireland” with your “UK” visa by following the above rules.

Aiisha says

February 21, 2019 at 9:30 pm

Hello! I have a Gambia passport. I have a UK resident. Please, can you tell Switzerland or any country is visa-free? Thanks!

February 22, 2019 at 6:10 pm

Hi Aiisha! Unfortunately, you would need a “Schengen visa” for Switzerland.

With your Gambia passport and UK residence permit, you can travel to all the countries listed out in this article that says “applies to all passport holders”.

February 18, 2019 at 4:08 pm

Hi, I have a UK residents permit that allows me to live and work in the UK. So this means I can travel to Bermuda without applying for a Bermuda visa?

February 18, 2019 at 5:53 pm

Hi Ugo! Yes, you can travel to Bermuda using your UK residence permit. You do not need a separate visa for Bermuda.

Pratibha Sharma says

February 12, 2019 at 1:57 pm

Hi, Could you provide official webpage link where it confirm that UK work permit holder do not need Costa Rica visa?

February 13, 2019 at 7:04 pm

Hi Pratibha! The three official links for Costa Rica in this article confirms that a “legal permanence” in any EU country (UK is part of EU until the end of March 2019). There are specific rules for work permits, so please read the fine print before planning your trip to Costa Rica.

Here is the official information according to the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC –

“You have permanent residence (Greencard holder), a student visa (F1, J1), a work visa (H1B, G4, L1, EB-1, etc.) in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, and countries members of the EUROPEAN UNION (those residence cards issued in a language other than Spanish or English must be translated into Spanish.”

Phuong says

February 12, 2019 at 10:56 am

Hello Thirumal

I am so happy to find this article of yours and to realize how many more countries I can visit with my UK tourist visa. As a Vietnamese I have to admit our passport is pretty much useless. As much as I appreciate this blog post so much, do you mind if I translate to Vietnamese and share this article on my blog (crediting you and your blog)? I am sure this will be very helpful to others as well (although the 1st step – obtaining a UK tourist visa is very challenging haha).

Thank you again

February 13, 2019 at 6:15 pm

Hi Phuong! Thanks! I can understand. I actually spent over 6 months in Vietnam. I have several friends there and we had many conversations on this topic. Vietnam’s economy and tourism is growing. I hope the Vietnamese passport becomes stronger in the coming years.

Yes, please go ahead. It would be great if my article helps fellow Vietnamese travelers.

Manisha Arora says

February 8, 2019 at 4:40 pm

Thanks for all the information. Although I think I understand from your post but I still want to clarify.

I am on H1B US visa, do I need UK visitor visa to visit UK?

Thanks in advance Manisha

February 8, 2019 at 6:50 pm

Hi Manisha! Yes, you would NEED a UK visitor visa to visit the UK. You CANNOT use your US H1B visa to enter the UK as a tourist.

But, if you are traveling to the US and transiting through London’s Heathrow, you can request for a 24-hour entry at the Heathrow airport. Many of my readers were able to get the 24-hour entry without any issues. You can try this if you have a long layover in London.

Carlo Paulo says

January 30, 2019 at 10:27 am

I recently have been approved of a UK visitor Visa, and i was planning on travelling the Balkans this June 2019 (Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania). All of the 4 countries except for Bosnia & Herzegovina had mentioned on their Ministry of foreign affairs website that “holders of a VALID UK Visa” can enter their country. BH mentioned “valid visa issued by the EU”, so i guessed that since Brexit is on end of MARCH 2019, i can no longer visit BH in June. am i correct on this one?

I am a PH passport holder and a resident in Qatar. i’m planning to travel during EID (June 5, and the cheapest flight (via Pegasus Airlines) on that day is to SARAJEVO, BH.

waiting for your response.

January 30, 2019 at 5:14 pm

Hi Carlo! I believe the countries that say “valid visa issued by any EU country” will soon update their terms to include “valid UK visa”. A UK visa is a strong visa and these countries would definitely honor UK visa. It’s just a matter of time. I’m actually waiting for the official statements from these countries so I can update this article.

But in your case, I suggest contacting BH consulate and asking about the UK visa in June. They probably know the changes coming up in March 2019. If they aren’t sure, then getting a BH visa would be a smart move.

January 29, 2019 at 3:44 pm

Hi Thirumal, thank you for such useful information. You mention permanent residency. I am studying in the UK, I have Biometric Resident Permit (BRP). Am I a UK resident? I am from Vietnam. In particular, with my BRP (valid until end of March 2020), can I travel to Costa Rica and Romania (tourism purpose) without these countries’ visa?

January 29, 2019 at 5:30 pm

Hi Linh! If your BRP is a residence card (not a sticker in your passport), then yes, you can use it to enter Costa Rica. Your BRP must be valid for at least 6 months on the date of arrival in Costa Rica. I suggest traveling to Costa Rica before March 2019 as the UK ceases to be in EU. The Costa Rica visa exemption is currently only for EU permanent residents.

For Romania, your BRP must have been issued for 5 or more years. I know it expires in 2020, but you didn’t mention when it was issued. Here is the official statement from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The holders of permanent residence permits issued by the UK or Ireland (the validity of which is of 5 years or more).”

January 21, 2019 at 10:20 am

Hi Thirumal!

Thanks for such a helpful post! Quick question: I have a valid 2 year multiple entry visa for the UK and according to many different sources (including yours), all I need is a tourist card to visit Cuba. However, after ringing up the Cuban consulate in London, they said that everyone needs a proper visa to visit Cuba even UK nationals. I am severely confused. If that were the case, surely it should have been updated on the internet? I hold a Pakistani passport.

Regards, AK

January 21, 2019 at 5:10 pm

Hi AK! Quite a few readers of mine were able to travel to Cuba with a US/Canada/UK visas. They were India, Bangladesh and Philippines passport holders.

There seems to be confusion around Tourist Card (also called Travel Card) and A1 visa. Both are being referred to as “visa” by consulates and travel agents.

My source of information from Cuba so far has been the TIMATIC database . Since it’s a paid service and Airlines depend on this service for visa requirements, I would say, go with TIMATIC.

Note: The UK soon ceases to be in the EU. You can still use your UK visa for some of these countries including Cuba till March 2019. I will update this article in March with the most up to date information.

Nandakumar Balasubrayalu says

January 7, 2019 at 4:30 pm

Hello, my parents are visiting the UK and have visited the UK many times before. They have a Type C Visitors visa. Are they eligible to apply for Turkish Evisa when they are in the UK? At the time they will be holding an Indian passport with Type C visitors visa from the UK.

January 7, 2019 at 9:10 pm

Hi Nandakumar! Yes, your parents are eligible to apply for Turkish eVisa as they hold a valid UK short stay visa. They just have to make sure that their UK visas are still valid at the time of entering Turkey.

Oluseyi says

January 4, 2019 at 10:03 am

Hi Thirumal you are going a very good job, i have valid UK 6months Visa and i’m planning to travel to Gibraltar January 20th do i still have to apply for Gibraltar visa? thanks you very much for your swift response

January 4, 2019 at 4:02 pm

Hi Oluseyi! You can use your UK visa to enter Gibraltar. You do not need a separate visa.

Keep in mind that you have to fly directly into Gibraltar. If you plan to fly to Spain first and enter Gibraltar by road, you would also need a Schengen visa to enter Spain.

Rizwan ullah says

January 7, 2019 at 11:24 pm

Hi, I m Rizwan from Pakistan having a C- visit visa on my passport, may I visit to Gibraltar as well without having schengen visa

January 8, 2019 at 3:24 am

Hi Rizwan! Yes, you can visit Gibraltar with your UK visa. You don’t need a Schengen visa if you fly into Gibraltar directly from the UK. But if you fly into Spain first and then enter Gibraltar by land, you would need a Schengen visa since you are entering Spain.

Talaat says

December 27, 2018 at 2:17 pm

Hi Thiruma,

Thanks for this useful post, I hold a national permanent residency card in EU which has been issued in Hungary and I have a valid UK visa.

I am planning to travel with my wife who is an EU citizen to ( Dublin ) Ireland for a vacation.

Am I exempted from applying for a visa or do I still need to apply?

I hold Egypt passport, Thank you

December 31, 2018 at 4:26 am

Hi Talaat! Ireland offers visa waiver for certain passport holders with UK visas. Unfortunately, Egypt is not on that list. Also, Ireland is not part of the Schengen zone, so you can’t use your residency permit from Hungary. Therefore, you would need to apply for an Ireland tourist visa to enter Ireland.

Asad Khan says

December 25, 2018 at 11:35 am

I had to apply for a South Korean tourist visa in Germany even though I still have a valid UK visa. However, proper listed documents were still checked required by the embassy. In any case, having a visa from OECD country eases the whole process for the South Korean Visa. I did not have to show any Income tax returns in Germany. On the other hand, it was a mandatory requirement from a native country Pakistan.

December 25, 2018 at 6:58 pm

Hi Asad! Thanks for the information! Yeah, unfortunately, you cannot use your UK visa to enter South Korea. There was a mention of 30 EU country visas on Hi Korea portal, but when I enquired with the consulates, they all said the visa waiver applied to only US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand visa holders.

But, it is good to know that having a visa from an OECD country eases the visa process. Building travel history and getting visas from countries such as US, UK, Canada, etc definitely makes a “weak” passport stronger.

Good luck and have a great time in South Korea!

TARUN BANERJEE says

December 14, 2018 at 4:13 pm

Hi Thirumal … how are you ? i have 2 question just couple of days back i have recieved my UK visa with BIVS endorsed on my passport … so the first question is can you please tell me if i travel to Ireland for 2-3 days from UK will they put a proper sticker visa or just stamp once i arrive dublin airport. Second question is some travel agents told me if i want to visit Romania as a tourist i must have US/UK/CANADA OR SCHENGEN visa valid in my passport is that true ?

December 15, 2018 at 12:59 am

Hi Tarun! I’m doing good. How are you? When you arrive in Dublin, you will receive an entry “stamp” in your passport. No visa sticker will be issued since you already have a UK visa with BIVS.

To visit Romania, you would need either a multiple-entry Schengen visa or a UK permanent residence permit. Romania DOES NOT honor US or Canada visas.

February 15, 2019 at 12:10 pm

Good day you mean one can travel to Ireland if you a UK Visa with bivs endorsement,I am a Nigerian passport holder I have 10 years valid visa

February 15, 2019 at 6:00 pm

Hi Oyewale! Yes, if you have a Nigeria passport and a UK visa with BIVS endorsement, you can visit Ireland. Actually, you can go back and forth between the UK and Ireland as BIVS is considered a unified visa for both UK and Ireland.

Ragu Prasad says

December 1, 2018 at 12:23 pm

Hi Thirumal, that’s an exhaustive list of useful information. I would like to know whether i can visit US from UK if i am having all the below 1. Indian Passport 2. UK Work Permit VISA 3. US Business VISA

December 1, 2018 at 5:52 pm

Hi Ragu! Yes, you can visit US from the UK since you already have a US visa. You can travel to the US from anywhere in the world (including the UK). It doesn’t have to be from your home country.

December 3, 2018 at 4:55 am

Thanks for the clarification Thirumal!

Ashwin says

November 27, 2018 at 5:25 pm

I am travelling to Mexico and as I hold a Standard Visa of UK. I don’t need a separate Mexico visa. As the embassy site clarifies that I would not need one. Do you agree? Just want to have a double confirmation. I hold a Indian passport. Appreciate your help.

November 28, 2018 at 2:49 am

Hi Ashwin! Agree. You DO NOT need a separate Mexico visa since you already hold a valid UK visa. You can enter Mexico with your UK visa.

November 28, 2018 at 9:55 am

In addition, Can you guide me on cost effective route to Mexico from India using the UK visa? I looked at few routes and a found a route from Canada, so for that I will require a transit visa. Can I use the UK visa to apply for Canada transit visa. Mexico as the destination country?

November 29, 2018 at 6:37 pm

Hi Ashwin! I suggest you look for flights that transit via France or England. – India passport holders do not need a transit visa to transit through France. – You already have a UK visa, so transiting or changing airports in the UK is not a problem for you. – Search from all big cities in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, etc) to both Mexico City and Cancun. Flights to Cancun are sometimes cheaper from Europe. Here is an example, one-way flight from Mumbai to Cancun via the UK for $700 USD.

randy j says

December 2, 2018 at 5:20 am

Hi Thirumal! Glad you are helping everyone. Can you help me with this? I have a valid UK visa. I am going to Mexico and the layover is in Canada. I intentionally want to go this route. I am applying for a Canada transit visa, but they are asking for a valid visa for the final destination (Mexico). What do I provide them? I am confused since Mexico visa is not required for UK visa holders.

December 2, 2018 at 6:06 pm

Hi Randy! I suggest providing a copy of your UK visa along with a print of visa requirements from the Mexico consulate page. Make sure to highlight the text in the requirements that says that you can use your UK visa to enter Mexico. This makes it easy for visa officers to understand the Mexico visa requirements easily.

Also, make sure to mention that you will be using your UK visa to enter Mexico in your cover letter.

December 2, 2018 at 7:44 am

Such a great help and information you have passed on Thanks alot Thirumal.

Regards, Ashwin

November 23, 2018 at 4:48 am

I am travelling to London in December, and plan to visit Ireland (Dublin) thereafter.

As per what I checked on the web, I don’t need separate Ireland visa. I have a multiple-entry visitor visa (C) to Uk.

But your site says we need BIVS stamp – I don’t have that,

November 25, 2018 at 1:08 am

Hi Nanda! As far as my knowledge goes, you would need BIVS endorsed on your UK visa in order to travel to Ireland. When you say that you checked on the web, what websites are you referring to?

November 29, 2018 at 5:58 am

This is the Visa Waiver Programme , as distinct from the BIVS

November 29, 2018 at 5:07 pm

I apologize! You are correct, Nanda. You can travel to Ireland from the UK using the Visa Waiver Programme.

Thanks for pointing it out! I see the distinction between VWP and BIVS clearly now. I will update the article accordingly. Please let me know how it goes in December. So, I can help others better. Thanks again!

Olufemi Akinyemi says

November 20, 2018 at 8:49 am

I think someone can travel to Israel with UK valid Visa

November 25, 2018 at 1:01 am

Hi Olufemi! I’m not aware of any such visa exemption with UK visa for Israel. Where did you get this information from? Do you have a link to the official information?

Olufemi Akinyemu says

November 19, 2018 at 7:17 pm

I have 2years UK C class valid visa, planning to visit Gibraltar by next 12days. I booked my hotel at Tarifa, 10 miles away from Gibraltar. Can my UK visa allow me to stay in Tarifa hotel? I later noticed that Tarifa is in Spain

November 24, 2018 at 11:28 pm

Hi Olufemi! If your hotel is in Spain, then it’s in the Schengen zone. Therefore, you would need a Schengen visa to enter Spain and stay in that hotel.

If you are flying into Gibralter using your UK visa and then taking a taxi to your hotel in Spain, then you will be entering the Schengen Zone en route your hotel.

I suggest you call the hotel and check with them to be clear.

November 15, 2018 at 12:26 pm

Can a philippino passport holder with a 3 year work visa in uk with nhs visit ireland without a visa?

November 28, 2018 at 2:57 am

Hi Sarah! The UK visa must be a short stay (C-type) visa with BIVS endorsed on it. Also, Philippines passport holders are not eligible for the BIVS scheme.

August 12, 2024 at 4:56 pm

I’m a Philippine passport holder with UK C visa (Short stay visa) multiple entry for 6 months. I was able to enter Cork/Dublin using my UK visit visa.

August 13, 2024 at 2:12 pm

Hi Mei! Thanks for updating us! I’m glad you were able to visit Cork/Dublin using your UK visit visa.

Lewis Ose says

November 12, 2018 at 10:20 pm

Hello, can one travel to Scotland with a UK C-visit visa….I am from Nigeria

November 13, 2018 at 11:17 pm

Yes, Scotland is part of the United Kingdom. Your UK C-type visa entitles travel to the entire United Kindom i.e. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

November 11, 2018 at 3:37 pm

Wow, amazing been searching for a comprehensive list for a long time. Many Thanks

November 11, 2018 at 10:04 pm

Hi Taiwo! You’re welcome! I’m very glad you found my list. Take care and enjoy your travels!

November 8, 2018 at 2:31 pm

However, Gibraltar in Spain which is British overseas territory is missing in this list.

Beautiful place and the airport is one of its kind in the world with runway running from middle of a road and with rock of Gibraltar featured in James bond movie, beautiful weather..

I am Indian passport holder with UK work visa. Visa free entry in this part of Spain :)

November 8, 2018 at 5:36 pm

Hi Priya! That’s fantastic! Thank you very much for the info. I will add it to the list. I do want to check out Gibralter at some point. By the way, do you remember the number of days of entry given at the immigration?

November 6, 2018 at 4:33 am

Thank you very much for this info..

November 6, 2018 at 4:44 pm

You’re welcome, Ogie!

November 6, 2018 at 2:20 am

Great article. Very helpful. Thank you.

November 6, 2018 at 3:17 am

You’re welcome!

November 3, 2018 at 10:09 am

Hey, yesterday I got a UK visitor visa for attending a conference. What if Due to my university commitments in Germany as a student I can not attend a conference which is going to be held on November 26 but can I visit the UK during my semester break in February 2019? What I understand is that Standard Visitor Visa has replaced visas like tourism, business, family visit and merge them into one category. However, on my visa application, my purpose of travel was to attend a conference/attend lectures, not as tourism. Would I be facing any issues at the UK airport later on If I travel because Immigration officers have the final authority to allow you in or not, having a visa itself is not a final guarantee of things. So I am kind of confused right now?

As a side question, Did you travel to Panama and Dominican Republic on the UK visitor visa?

November 5, 2018 at 4:02 pm

Hey Asad! It is absolutely fine to change/tweak your plans after you receive your visa. There is a reason why the UK grants visa valid for 6 months. Even if you were asked why you haven’t attended the conference, you can always tell the reason why couldn’t. Not attending the conference will not prevent or impact your entry in Feb 2019.

July 5, 2019 at 1:26 pm

Hello sir. I have Greece one year national visa. Can I go to the UK?

July 5, 2019 at 7:57 pm

Hi Preet! Unfortunately, no. You would REQUIRE a UK visitor visa.

October 27, 2018 at 5:46 pm

Thank you for such a prompt enlightening!!

Shyam Goenka says

October 27, 2018 at 4:19 pm

Hi Sir. Is Romania exempt for 30 days o a 2 year UK Visa? Also, is there an exemption for South Korea as well. Despite South Korea not being on your list, I asked this because Australian Visa allows a transit thru South Korea.

October 27, 2018 at 5:42 pm

Hi Shyam! What you have is still a visa. You would need a UK residence permit (something like permanent residence) to get a visa exemption for Romania.

No, South Korea doesn’t offer visa exemption with UK visa. South Korea exempts visa for those with a visa from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the US. You must be in transit to reach the country of visa as your destination.

Dave Nguyen says

November 24, 2018 at 12:07 am

I think you’re wrong. Here is the official website for immigration information of South Korea, it clearly stated that the 4 countries: USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand visa holders as well as visa holders from other 30 countries of Europe can I live to maximum 30days then depart to their home countries.

November 24, 2018 at 12:08 am

I forgot to attach the link. Here is the official link .

December 17, 2018 at 11:08 pm

Hi Dave! Thanks for pointing it out! I also apologize for the delay in responding to your comment. I was waiting to confirm the information with the consulates.

I contacted a few consulates and I heard back from the South Korean consulates in India and Malaysia. They both said that visa exemption does not apply to UK or any EU country visa holders. The consulate officials said that the visa exemption applies to only those with visas from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

That being said, if you have used your UK visa to enter South Korea, please let me know. If there are more cases like yours, I can consider adding it to this list/article.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I myself entered South Korea in September using my US visa. At the time of immigration in the airport, I asked the immigration officer on the visas I can use. She said that the visa exemption applies to visas from only the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I was not given a chance to ask further questions. So, I couldn’t ask anything on the 30 EU country visas.

February 12, 2019 at 11:08 am

My sister recently just entered South Korea in January without any visa, she’s holding a UK spouse visa and traveling with her husband. Upon landing, she was given 30 days single entry visa.

February 13, 2019 at 6:39 pm

Hi Dave! Thanks for the information! I’ve contacted several Korean authorities, but none of them confirmed if the visa exemption applies to the visa holders from “30 EU Countries (including the UK)”. “HiKorea” says that “30 EU Countries” are eligible but all the other authorities I’ve contacted denied it. I couldn’t find an easy way to contact HiKorea directly.

So, I’m still looking for an official source and confirmation in order to add South Korea to this list. If you know the official source, please let me know.

December 30, 2021 at 9:40 pm

Hi, if someone got a UK student visa on a Pakistani passport, can he travel to Turkey without a visa?

January 1, 2022 at 8:03 am

Hi Shah! You still need a visa, but with your UK student visa, you are eligible to apply for Turkey e-Visa. Turkey e-Visa is valid for 90 days and you can stay up to 30 days in Turkey. E-Visa fee is $60 USD.

August 20, 2019 at 9:16 pm

Hi Thirumal, unfortunately, the website of Romania visa does not say that an Indian passport holder with UK permanent residency does not require a visa for Romania. Can you please share the link?

August 25, 2019 at 9:12 am

Hi Dipti! I apologize. The links are broken. Below is the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Link: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Romania

Hassan says

October 18, 2019 at 8:38 pm

Hi dear, I have got UK Visa for 5 years. Can I travel to Saudi Arabia? If I got a problem at the airport am I allowed to contact the UK embassy Thanks.

October 19, 2019 at 4:20 am

Hi Hassan! Saudi Arabia just opened it’s eVisa/VOA to visa holders of US, UK and Schengen. Their e-Visa system is not updated yet, so your only option is to get Visa on Arrival. If you have any issues at the port of entry in Saudi Arabia, you are allowed to contact your passport country’s embassy but not UK since you are not a UK national.

Asad Iqbal says

November 19, 2019 at 5:51 am

Hi sir, how are you? I have six months multiple entry visa UK. My question is can I travel to Mexico without a visa? I am now in UK London.

November 21, 2019 at 3:30 pm

Hi Asad! Yes, you can travel to Mexico using your valid UK visa. You do not need a separate Mexico visa.

June 20, 2019 at 11:08 am

Hi dear, I want to travel to Panama. I have a 5-year multiple tourist visa of UK C category. Can I travel to Panama on Uk visa? I’m a Pakistani passport holder.

June 23, 2019 at 8:46 pm

Hi Irfan! Yes, you can use your UK visa to enter Panama.

February 7, 2020 at 6:37 pm

Hi. I have a UK residence card which is valid for 5 years. Can I travel to France with this card?

February 8, 2020 at 4:26 am

Hi Rabia! No. You CANNOT travel to France with your UK BRP/ILR. You would REQUIRE a Schengen visa to enter France.

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