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Visa rules for United Kingdom

Of the 198 other passports, 1 can visit United Kingdom visa-free. 85 need an e-Visa or online approval before they travel and 112 need an embassy visa or can’t visit at the moment.

Visa-free1
Visa on arrival0
e-Visa or online85
Embassy visa or no entry112
Official siteGOV.UK: visit the UK
DataDataset 17 Feb 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026

Detailed guide for South Africans

Which passports can visit United Kingdom

Each country is coloured by what its passport holders need to visit United Kingdom. Hover over or tap a country for details.

What’s changed

ETA and visa fees

Visitors who don’t need a visa must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before they travel: £20 since 8 April 2026. The Standard Visitor visa costs £135.

Every passport, by entry type

Visa-free 1 passports

Europe

e-Visa or online authorisation 85 passports

Indian Ocean islands

Europe

Middle East

East Asia

Southeast Asia

South Asia

North America

Central America

Caribbean

South America

Oceania

Embassy visa, or not possible now 112 passports

Southern Africa

East Africa

West Africa

Central Africa

North Africa

Indian Ocean islands

Atlantic islands

Europe

Middle East

East Asia

Southeast Asia

South Asia

Central Asia and the Caucasus

Central America

Caribbean

South America

Oceania

Before you go

  • Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your trip, with 2 blank pages.
  • Carry a return or onward ticket, your accommodation details and proof you can pay for your stay.
  • Apply only on the official site: GOV.UK: visit the UK. Copycat sites charge extra.
  • Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate, especially if you travel from or through Africa or South America.
  • Airlines decide boarding with Timatic: check your route on the IATA Travel Centre.

Sources and checks

How current is this? Entry types come from an open visa dataset updated 17 Feb 2026, corrected where newer official notices show a change (checked 17 Oct 2026). Notes on this page were checked against the sources below. Rules change without notice: confirm with the embassy or official immigration site, and check your route on the IATA Travel Centre before you book.

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