You can travel to the UK without a visa for visits of up 6 months, but must satisfy the visa requirements when entering the UK.
When arriving in the UK, non-visa nationals will either;
- enter through an eGate, or
- present their documents to an immigration officer who will stamp their passport if all entry conditions are met.
All Non visa nationals must also have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travel.
Non-visa nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travel. An ETA is valid for travelling to the UK as a visitor on multiple occasions for up to 2 years or until passport expiry if sooner. Any visit should still be no longer than 6 months.
The ETA is connected to the visitor’s passport details, if the passport is changed a new ETA is required. The ETA allows travel to the UK border it is not the visa permission or ‘leave to enter’ allowing a stay in the UK; that is secured by being allowed to enter the UK e.g. by seeing a Border Officer or passing through an eGate.
For visa permission purposes it is advisable to carry relevant evidence to show the visitor requirements are met (e.g. evidence of purpose, availability of funds) in case requested. Entry to the UK from the Republic of Ireland is not always staffed and special provisions may then apply.
Certain non-visa nationals can use eGates on arrival in the UK without seeing a Border Officer. If the traveller holds no other visa or immigration permission they are deemed to have entered the UK as a Standard Visitor by passing through the eGate.
Visitors cannot:
- take paid or unpaid work (volunteering with a registered charity for up to 30 days is allowed)
- live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent and successive visits
- receive treatment on the National Health Service (NHS) services (unless it is an emergency)*
- receive public funds
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership
*Before leaving their home country visitors should consider taking out travel insurance which includes medical cover while in the UK.