Do I need a visa? USA UPDATE

Your bags are packed and you’re ready to go – but are you sure your destination country will let you across the border? By Fiona Cullinan

For Brits heading off on holiday, there are many countries for which all you need is a British passport and a sunny smile. Others, however, have tighter door codes than China White.

 

So check out this list of the UK's favourite holiday destinations for the visa/passport lowdown. Find out if you need to arrange a visa in advance, how much time you'll need to have left on your passport and where your battered old travel documents might result in a red-faced refusal at the passport desk.

 

 

 

EUROPE

For short visits, it's a case of no visa required (Turkey and Belarus are the exceptions - see below). Passport validity, however, vary wildly from Belgium, which requires you to have at least six months remaining on your passport after your return date, to Iceland which requires three, to France, Spain and Greece, which only requires that your passport be valid for length of stay.

 

Turkey

Part European/part Asian, Turkey requires a visa. Luckily you can purchase on arrival for £10 cash. Make sure you have at least six months left on your passport on entry into Turkey and three months' validity on departure.

 

Belarus

Another Euro exception. Obtain transit and tourist visas before travelling from the embassy in London. Visit the Belarus embassy website

 

Russia

Thinking of attending Eurovision 2009 in Moscow? You'll need a visa - £45 in advance from either the Embassy of the Russian Federation in London, or, if you live in Scotland, the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh (0131 225 7098). Make sure you also have six months left on your passport when exiting.

 

NORTH AMERICA

USA

No visa required for holiday visits up to 90 days under the US Visa Waiver Programme. Passport valid for length of stay. From 12 January 2009, all British citizens travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme will need an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), or you risk being unable to travel.

You can apply at any time before you travel on the ESTA website. Some applications may not be authorised immediately, so do apply no later than 72 hours before you travel.

Each approved ESTA will be valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. However, for each subsequent visit within that period, details including departure city, address while in the US and, airline and flight number will require updating, again 72 hours prior to departure.

 

Canada

No visa required for short stays - subject to the usual proofs of sufficient funds and a return ticket. Passport valid for length of stay.

 

OCEANIA / AUSTRALASIA

Australia

Tourist visas required, although there's no minimum valid passport restriction. British nationals can apply online for a free eVisitor visa.

 

New Zealand

No visa required for stays of up to six months - providing you have sufficient funds and an onward ticket. You'll also need a month left on your passport after departure.

 

MIDDLE EAST

UAE

A long weekend in Dubai has just got easier. New laws mean that British nationals now receive a free 30-day visit visa on arrival. Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your stay.

 

AFRICA

The Gambia

No-visa winter sun is yours for stays of up to 28 days. You'll need a minimum validity of three months' on your passport on departure, though.

 

Morocco & Tunisia

No visa needed for short stays; six months' validity left on passport on exit.

 

Egypt

A 14-day package holiday to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba doesn't require a visa. Longer, or outside of the resorts, and you'll need to buy a visa on arrival which grants stays of up to a month. Or you can apply to the Egyptian consulate in advance - a tourist visa costs £15. Your passport should be valid for at least six months.

 

South Africa

You won't need a visa for stays of less than 90 days. Passports should have two blank pages left and valid for no less than 30 days after the end of your visit.

 

Kenya

A visa is required. Although this can be bought on arrival with $50 cash, to avoid complications, it's advisable to obtain one in advance for £30 from the Kenya High Commission in London. You'll need three months' remaining validity on your passport to enter Kenya.

 

INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

India

You'll need to apply for a visa before travel, either by post or in person. From 2008, the Indian High Commission is outsourcing visa applications to VF Services agency. The visa costs £30 for a six-month tourist visa. Passports are required to be valid for a minimum of six months.

 

Sri Lanka

Visas are issued on arrival to tourists staying 30 days or less. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your stay.

 

Nepal

Visas are required - with stepped fees, eg, £15 for 15 days, £25 or 30 days. Apply in person or by post to the Nepalese Embassy. Passports must be valid for a minimum of six months.

 

ASIA

Thailand

No visa needed for stays of up to 30 days. You'll need a non-tatty passport with six months' validity.

 

Malaysia

No visa needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports need six months' validity.

 

Singapore

No visa needed for stays up to 30 days stay. One quirk is that if you're six or more months pregnant, you must obtain permission to enter before travelling from the High Commission for the Republic of Singapore in London. You'll need at least six months' validity on your passport beyond your departure date.

 

Indonesia

Heading for Bali and beyond? A tourist visa can be obtained on arrival for 30 days, so long as you have six months remaining on your passport upon arrival.

 

Vietnam

You must apply in advance for a one-month tourist visa - unless your tour operator has made arrangements. Apply in person or by post to the Vietnam Embassy. Your passport needs six months' validity.

 

China/Hong Kong

You'll need a visa for China, but not Hong Kong - where you can stay for up to six months without a visa. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in person or by post - contact the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. Your passport must be valid for a further six months' on arrival.

 

Japan

No visa required for stays of up to three months - with a valid passport for the duration and an onward/return ticket. However, you will have to consent to be fingerprinted and digitally photographed during entry procedures.

 

 

SOUTH AMERICA

Mexico

No need for a visa but you will need to fill out a tourist card, obtained by completing an immigration form onboard your flight. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from date of entry.

 

Brazil

No visa required for stays up to 90 days - though you may need to show that you have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket. Six months' passport validity is recommended for some states, though 90 days is the official requirement.

 

Peru

A maximum stay of 180 days is permitted without needing to apply for a visa. Passports should have six months' remaining validity.

 

TROPICAL ISLANDS

Cuba

Visa required - and should be obtained ahead of travel. Contact the Cuban Embassy in London for further information. Passports must be valid for six months after departure from Cuba.

 

The Caribbean

No visa is required for short-stay visits to Antigua, Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica and many other island groups. Some require six months' left on your passport, though, so check the FCO site for individual requirements. If you're visiting the Dominican Republic, you'll need to buy a tourist card, available on arrival for US$10 or equivalent. More info is available from the Dominican embassy.

 

Maldives

You can get a tourist visa for up to 30 days on arrival in Maldives, provided you hold a valid return or onward ticket and have enough funds to cover your stay. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

 

Mauritius

A visa, normally valid for three months, will be issued on arrival. Passports are required to be valid for a minimum of six months and you'll need to show a return ticket.

 

Seychelles

No visa required but you will need a valid passport, onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds.

 

Fiona Cullinan writes about travel dress codes for holiday packing at What to Wear Where.

 

Further information

This information is correct at time of publication and for British passport-holders only. For the latest country-by-country advice, see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website

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