Visa policy of the United Kingdom
The visa policy of the United Kingdom is the policy by which His Majesty's Government determines visa requirements for visitors to the United Kingdom, and the Crown dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man and those seeking to work, study or reside there. All intended entrants must obtain a visa unless they are exempt. The UK operates its own visa policy and maintains the Common Travel Area with the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. British Overseas Territories generally apply their own similar but legally distinct visa policies. The United Kingdom was a member of the European Union until 31 January 2020, and EU/EEA/Swiss citizens enjoyed freedom of movement to the UK until the transition period ended on 31 December 2020. Visa policy map Visa exemptions The following persons can enter the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man without a visa: As of right British nationals: British citizens British subjects with the right of abode in the United Kingdom Irish citizens Non-visa nationals Nationals of the following countries and territories are visa-exempt for credibility-assessed stays in the UK of no longer than 6 months (or 1 month for permitted paid engagements): Non-visa nationals greeted by UK immigration officers arriving from outside the Common Travel Area are credibility-assessed as to grant of entry: "leave to enter". If granted for a regular visit they, excluding seven nations, receive a passport stamp in their passport at the UK Border Force entry checkpoint stating 'Leave to enter for six months: employment and recourse to public funds prohibited'. The exception covers nationals who are admitted, or admissible, by the ePassport gates system. These generally do not receive a passport stamp. Those who entered using the Iris Recognition Immigration System (which was in operation from 2004 to 2013) did not receive a passport stamp. Since 20 May 2019, Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, Singaporean, South Korean and United States citizens seeking the above, most common, form of entry generally receive no passport stamp, regardless of whether they use an ePassport gate or a staffed control desk. Three categories of their applicants for entry must go to a staffed control desk, for their passport will receive the relevant stamp(s): on a permitted paid engagement; or with a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting) Certificate of Sponsorship (for up to 3 months); Instead of endorsing a passport stamp, UK Border Force officers are permitted to grant leave to enter by fax or e-mail. They may also grant this orally (including by telephone) to a non-visa national seeking to stay as a visitor for up to 6 months. They, in general, have no power to do so where it has been conferred by another Common Travel Area border official. In the case of certain general aviation flights travellers may sometimes not be inspected by the UK Border Force on arrival (depending on the risk assessment per the travellers' information submitted in advance via the General Aviation