Things to know for travel with a British passport

The passport of the United Kingdom is one of the most desirable passports in the world, with a very high mobility score. It ranks 5th in the global passport ranking, offering UK nationals great traveling access.

With a British passport, you can travel visa-free to 109 countries. UK passport holders can also get a visa on arrival in 38 countries and an online visa to 34 countries.

The United Kingdom passport can be obtained after registration or naturalization. The application process takes place online, by post or post office check & send service, and by appointment.

Visa-free travel is an excellent opportunity for Britons to visit new places and make friends

Visa-free travel is an excellent opportunity to visit new places without having to worry about the issues of getting a visa.

You can explore things that you would never see if you were restricted to your home country. It's a way to learn about different cultures and customs and sample new foods and experiences.

As you don't have visa stress, you are more positive and open to communication, making new friends, and creating lasting memories.

Ways to apply for a British passport 

A British passport proves the status of the United Kingdom national, either after registration or naturalization.

You can apply for a passport of a United Kingdom citizen in one of the following ways:

  • online - the cheapest and easiest way, you should follow a guide explaining each step of the process;
  • post office check & send service - local post office will check your documents and send them to HM Passport Office by special delivery; you should pay an additional fee for this service;
  • post - you can send your application along with your supporting documents directly to the UKVI;
  • by appointment - the 1-day and 1-week fast services are only available upon appointment.

Why is it better to travel to visa-free countries

Traveling visa-free really makes the experience for British citizens a lot better:

  • they don't have to go to an embassy or consulate, do paperwork, or wait in lengthy queues;
  • they can spend saved time on making up an itinerary and saved money on souvenirs and attractions;
  • they get travel freedom, so they can travel without planning, have spontaneous trips, change the route, or extend their vacation.

109 countries for British passport holders to enter visa-free

Visa-free countries for a British passport:

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Cape Verde
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lesotho
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Namibia
  • Netherlands
  • Nicaragua
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam

Holders of diplomatic and special passports of the United Kingdom also have visa-free access to:

  • China (diplomatic passports);
  • Ethiopia (diplomatic or service passports);
  • Kuwait (diplomatic or official passports);
  • Mongolia (diplomatic or official passports);
  • Qatar (diplomatic or official passports and British Diplomatic Messenger or Queen's Messenger Passports);
  • the United Arab Emirates (diplomatic or official passports);
  • Zimbabwe (diplomatic or service passports).

Moreover, UK citizens can travel to 38 countries with a visa on arrival, and 34 countries with an online visa.

Visa on arrival countries

  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Comoros
  • Egypt
  • Gabon
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Iraq
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Lebanon
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Mauritania
  • Mozambique
  • Nepal
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tanzania
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Electronic visa countries

British citizens who want to travel to the US by air or cruise ship must obtain a valid electronic visa.

FAQ

How to find out if your destination is a visa-free country for your citizenship?

If your destination offers visa-free access, it will be on the visa-free countries list.

What should you do if your destination is not a visa-free country?

If your destination is not a visa-free country, you should select a visa type you are eligible for - an electronic visa, visa on arrival, or a regular visa.

What should you know before you travel to non-visa-free countries

There are a few things you should know before you travel to a non-visa-free country:

  1. Check the expiration date on your passport. Many countries require that you have a passport valid for at least six months after your planned arrival date.
  2. Make sure you have enough blank pages in your passport for any required visa stamps.
  3. Check the visa requirements and choose the visa option that is best in your case. Remember that visiting an embassy is not always mandatory - you may be eligible to apply for an online visa using your device.
  4. At customs, you must have a valid passport and a valid visa, as border officers will check them. Usually, it is not required to print out the visa, but it is still better to have a paper copy just in case.

Is it important to check the different visa requirements of your destination countries in advance?

Whether you're planning a quick getaway or a longer trip, it's always important to do your research on visa requirements in advance, as each country has its own rules and regulations.

Failure to obtain the proper visa can result in delays or even being denied entry altogether. By taking the time to research visa requirements before you travel, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip.

Bogdan T
2022-07-12

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