It is the responsibility of the sending State to ensure that all persons travelling to the UK have a valid passport and, if required, the appropriate visa to enter the UK border.
Information on which country nationals require a visa, if a visa is needed for transit and how to apply for a visa can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Exempt Vignettes
Some visa nationals including diplomats, Government Ministers on official business, specified International Organisation employees and Heads of State may be ‘exempt’ from the UK’s immigration control and can apply for an ‘Exempt Vignette’ visa which is issued free of charge. Further details about who is eligible for exempt status can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/exempt-vignette
Please note:
- those who hold an Exempt Vignette will still be examined at the UK border to determine their exempt status.
- an Exempt Vignette can help avoid delays when travel to and entering the UK, but is not a requirement.
Please refer to Protocol Directorates recent Note Verbale on Exempt Vignettes: NV A212-23
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Those travelling to the UK or transiting through the UK who currently do not need a visa for short stays in the UK, or do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling, will soon need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This will primarily impact short term non-visa national visitors.
This is a new requirement that gives permission to travel to the UK, and it is electronically linked to the traveller’s passport. Those who are currently exempt from immigration control will not be required to obtain an ETA.
It will launch for Qatari nationals from 25 October 2023 and from 1 February 2024, the scheme will be introduced for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The scheme will be rolled out to other non-visa national counties such as the EU, America, Canada etc throughout the remainder of 2024, exact timings will be confirmed shortly. Further details of the scheme can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
Mission Enquiries
UKVI has a team that can liaise with Missions about visa enquiries of inward visitors and staff connected to the Mission UKVIembassyteam@homeoffice.gov.uk