- Some people may need a visa to visit, work or study in London.
- Visa-free travellers to the UK are required to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from April 2025.
- Most travellers can only enter the country as a visitor for a limited period.
- Information on travelling to London after Brexit can be found on the official UK government website.
Find all the details you need about UK visas, including how to apply and what's required to visit London.
Please be aware that the rules change regularly and it is your responsibility to ensure you have the latest information.
Essential information about travelling to London
Find out everything you need to know about travelling to London:
- Take a look at what you'll need to enter the UK.
- Get up to speed with what you can bring into the UK, from customs guidance to regulations about pets.
- Check out what documents need to be shown at the UK border if you're a European citizen, including information on national identity cards and passports after Brexit.
- Discover what documents you'll need to pack if you're planning on driving during your trip.
- Learn about accessing NHS healthcare while visiting the UK after Brexit.
For more information and advice for travellers, visit the official UK government website.
Do I need a visa to go to London?
You may require a visa to visit the UK. To find out whether you need a visa to visit London and how to apply, see the UK Visas and Immigration website or check with your local British Embassy or other diplomatic representative before you travel.
All eligible non-Europeans who do not need a visa are required to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK from 8 January 2025 and can apply from 27 November 2024. ETAs are then set to extend to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, who are required to have an ETA to travel to the UK from 2 April 2025. The cost is £10 per applicant.
The rules change regularly, so make sure to check you have the most up-to-date information for your trip.
Entry to the UK as a visitor is granted only for a limited period. If you plan to stay in London for longer, check the UK Visas and Immigration website for visa regulations and further details.
Do I need a visa to visit London from the European Union?
Following the UK's decision to leave the European Union, visa-free leisure travel to and from the UK is still in place for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.
To enter the UK, you must show the correct documents at the UK border.
Visiting the UK
EU, EEA or Swiss citizens:
- Irish citizens can still enter and live in the UK as they currently do.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can still travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without a visa – you can enter the UK with a valid passport.
- You cannot use your EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK.
- You can continue to use your national ID card to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025 if you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and/or meet a few other criteria.
Non-EEA family members of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen:
- You need a valid passport as well as an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, a UK-issued EEA family permit or a UK-issued biometric residence card.
Visit the UK Visas and Immigration website for the latest details.
Do I need a visa to study in London?
You may need a visa to study in London. Find more details on student visas on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
