Visitors to the UK who do not already hold a valid immigration permission, for example as a Skilled Worker, will generally need to obtain either an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a Visitor visa before travelling to the UK. The type of permission required will depend primarily on the individual’s nationality, but other factors such as criminal convictions will also have an impact.

Failure to secure the appropriate permission before travel may result in an individual being refused entry to the UK. We have set out below an overview of the current Rules for each category of visitor.

Electronic Travel Authorisation

Non-visa nationals such as those from the EU, Canada and Australia, will usually require an ETA before travelling to the UK.

ETA applications can be submitted directly from the UK ETA app or via the GOV.UK website, with the following information and documents required to progress the application:

- Valid passport;

- Email address;

- Personal details such as address and any criminal convictions; and

- Credit/debit card.

An ETA costs £20 and once granted, will be valid for a period of 2 years (permitting travel to the UK for visits of up to six months at a time). Although decisions on ETA applications can take up to 3 working days, most visitors will receive a decision instantly.

Where an ETA application is refused, for example due to issues with criminality, a visitor may still apply for a full visitor visa per the below. Such applications will require specialist advice, however, in addition to extensive evidence.

Visitor Visas

Nationals of countries designated by the UK as ‘visa national’ countries, such as those from India, South Africa and Nigeria, are not eligible to apply for an ETA and must instead obtain a full visitor visa in advance of travelling.

Visitor visas require detailed applications which cost upwards of £135 depending on the length of visa requested. Decisions are typically issued within three weeks of the applicant enrolling their biometrics, however subject to availability (and an additional fee), priority services may be available to reduce the decision-making time to five working days.

Once granted, visitor visa holders are subject to the same restrictions as those holding an ETA. Visits must therefore last no longer than 6 months and visitors must not engage in any prohibited activities (such as taking up employment) whilst in the UK. For further details on the activities visitors are permitted/prohibited to undertake in the UK, please contact the Immigration team at CG.

Dual British Citizens

As of 25 February 2026, dual British citizens are only permitted to travel to the UK on a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) confirming their Right of Abode in the UK. Prior to this date, such individuals could travel to the UK on an overseas passport and undergo enhanced border checks when arriving in the country to evidence their British nationality.

Now, British dual citizens who do not present the correct documentation when travelling to the UK may face serious disruption and could be denied boarding and entry to the country. With overseas British passport and CoE applications taking on average three weeks to process, and currently costing £102 and £589 respectively, British dual nationals must plan ahead to limit disruption. 

It is important to note that Irish citizens (including dual British-Irish citizens) are excluded from the above and can continue to travel to and enter the UK using their Irish passports.

If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this article in further detail, please contact the Immigration team at CG.