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United Kingdom Visa Requirements
GOV.UK
£115Fee
3 weeksProcessing
6 monthsMax Stay
Standard VisitorTransitMarriageMedical
EU citizens now need a UK ETA (£10) — not this visa. Check eligibility before applying.
Visa Requirements by Country 2026: Free Official Guide
A quick overview of short-stay tourist & business entry rules for 16 popular destinations — fees, processing times and what you'll need. Apply only through official government links. Your exact rule depends on your passport, so always confirm for your nationality.
🛡️ 16 Countries · Government Sources Only · Verify before you apply
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Don't Pay Middlemen — Apply Directly via Government Websites
Third-party visa websites charge €50–€500+ extra for the same application you can do yourself for free. Every link on this page goes to an official government website. No agent can guarantee visa approval — only governments decide. Fees below are headline government rates and can change; always confirm the exact amount for your nationality and visa type on the official site before paying.
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Your visa rule depends on your passport
The cards below show the standard short-stay rules. Many travellers — including UK, EU, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders — are visa-exempt or use a cheaper travel authorisation. Check the exact requirement for your nationality with a free official checker.
The cards below show the standard short-stay rules. Many travellers — including UK, EU, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders — are visa-exempt or use a cheaper travel authorisation. Check the exact requirement for your nationality with a free official checker.
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United Kingdom Visa Requirements
GOV.UK
£135Fee (6-mth)
3 weeksProcessing
6 monthsMax Stay
Standard VisitorTransitMarriageMedical
One Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, family & business — £135 for 6 months (raised 8 Apr 2026), £506/2yr, £903/5yr. EU citizens need a UK ETA (£16) instead — not this visa.
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United States Visa Requirements
Travel.State.Gov
$185 + feesFee (B1/B2)
Varies widelyProcessing
Up to 6 monthsMax Stay
B1 (Business)B2 (Tourism)ESTA ($40)Transit (C)
B1 (business) & B2 (tourism) share the same $185 MRV fee. A separate $250 Visa Integrity Fee now applies on issuance for many applicants (VWP/ESTA and Canadians exempt). ESTA rose to $40. Verify your nationality on travel.state.gov.
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Schengen Area (EU) Visa Requirements
European Commission
€90Fee
15 calendar daysProcessing
90/180 daysMax Stay
Short-Stay (Type C)Transit (Type A)National (Type D)
€90 short-stay fee covers tourism & business alike. ETIAS (€20) launches Q4 2026 for visa-free nationals — not a visa. Apply at the embassy of your MAIN destination.
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Canada Visa Requirements
IRCC (Canada.ca) · eVisa
CAD $100Fee (TRV)
~17 daysProcessing
6 monthsMax Stay
Visitor Visa (TRV)eTA ($7)TransitSuper Visa
TRV covers tourism, family & business — CAD $100 (+ $85 biometrics). Most visa-exempt nationals instead need an eTA (CAD $7) to fly in.
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Australia Visa Requirements
Home Affairs · eVisa
Free–AUD $200Fee
1 day–4 weeksProcessing
3–12 monthsMax Stay
ETA (601)eVisitor (651)Visitor (600)
eVisitor (651) is free for EU passports and covers tourism & business. ETA (601) carries a small service charge; the paid Visitor (600) is the priced option. Confirm the exact fee for your passport on Home Affairs.
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Japan Visa Requirements
MOFA · eVisa
Free–¥6,000Fee
5 working daysProcessing
15–90 daysMax Stay
TouristBusinessTransiteVisa
Many nationalities are visa-free for short tourism/business stays. Where a visa is needed, single-entry is typically ¥3,000 (tourist) and fees vary by type. Japan eVISA is at evisa.mofa.go.jp.
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UAE (Dubai) Visa Requirements
ICP / GDRFA · eVisa
Free–AED 350Fee
3–5 daysProcessing
30–90 daysMax Stay
Visa on Arrival (free)eVisaTransit (96hr free)Golden Visa
Many Western passports get a FREE visa on arrival (30 or 90 days). Tourism & business visitors use the same eVisa/on-arrival routes; cost scales with duration and entries.
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Thailand Visa Requirements
MFA Thailand · eVisa
Free–THB 2,000Fee
3–5 daysProcessing
30–60 daysMax Stay
Visa ExemptionVisa on ArrivalTourist (TR)eVisa
Many nationalities enter visa-free for tourism. Business visitors generally need a Non-Immigrant visa (different fee). All arrivals should check the current Thailand Digital Arrival Card requirement.
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Türkiye Visa Requirements
MFA Türkiye · eVisa
Free–$60+Fee
~3 min (eVisa)Processing
30–90 daysMax Stay
e-VisaSticker VisaTransitVisa Exempt
The e-Visa is for tourism & business/trade trips; cost varies by nationality. Use the official evisa.gov.tr only — many lookalike sites overcharge.
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Singapore Visa Requirements
ICA Singapore · eVisa
SGD $30Fee
3–5 daysProcessing
30–90 daysMax Stay
Visa-Free EntryeVisaSG Arrival Card
Many nationalities are visa-free for tourism & business. Where a visa applies it is SGD $30. ALL travellers must file the free SG Arrival Card online before arrival.
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New Zealand Visa Requirements
Immigration NZ · eVisa
NZeTA + IVLFee
20–25 daysProcessing
Up to 9 monthsMax Stay
NZeTAVisitor VisaTransitWorking Holiday
Visa-waiver nationals (tourism & business) need an NZeTA plus the International Visitor Levy (IVL). Confirm current NZeTA and IVL amounts on Immigration NZ before travel.
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South Korea Visa Requirements
Korea Immigration · eVisa
Free–variesFee
5–10 daysProcessing
30–90 daysMax Stay
K-ETA (waived)Visa-FreeTourist (C-3)eVisa
K-ETA is waived for visa-exempt nationals (tourism & business) until Dec 31, 2026 — enter without it. An e-Arrival Card is now required on entry unless you hold a valid K-ETA.
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India Visa Requirements
Bureau of Immigration · eVisa
$25–$100+Fee
3–5 days (eVisa)Processing
30–180 daysMax Stay
e-Touriste-Businesse-MedicalRegular Visa
e-Tourist and e-Business are separate products at different prices (e-Business is higher). Tourist eVisa fees also vary by season and nationality. Apply 4+ days before arrival.
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China Visa Requirements
CVASC
Varies by nationalityFee
4–5 daysProcessing
30–90 daysMax Stay
Tourist (L)Business (M)Transit (visa-free)Student (X)
Tourist (L) and Business (M) are separate visa types; fees differ by nationality (US applicants pay more). Several countries currently enjoy visa-free entry trials — check whether you need a visa at all before applying.
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Brazil Visa Requirements
Itamaraty · eVisa
~$80–$160Fee
5–15 daysProcessing
90/180 daysMax Stay
e-Visa (VIVIS)TouristBusinessTransit
e-Visa applies to US, Canadian & Australian citizens for tourism and business. Confirm the current fee for your nationality on the official VIVIS portal.
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South Africa Visa Requirements
Home Affairs SA · eVisa
Free–variesFee
5–15 daysProcessing
30–90 daysMax Stay
Visa-Free EntryeVisaVisitor VisaTransit
Many nationalities are visa-free for short tourism/business visits. Where a visa applies, use the official eVisa portal; fees vary by type and nationality.
Before You Travel: The Quick Essentials Checklist
Whatever your nationality, these are the things that actually stop people at the gate or the border. Run through them before every international trip.
1
Check your passport validity
Most countries require 3–6 months' validity beyond your departure date, and some need blank pages. Renew early — this is the #1 avoidable reason people are turned away.
2
Confirm the rule for YOUR passport
The cards above are general. Your nationality decides whether you need a visa, a cheap travel authorisation, or nothing. Check by your passport with TravelDoc →
3
Apply early — and only on official sites
Allow 4–8 weeks for visas needing an embassy appointment; eVisas are faster but still leave a few days' buffer. Use the green official links on this page, never a paid middleman.
4
Have your proof of onward travel & funds
Many borders ask for a return/onward ticket, accommodation booking, and evidence you can support yourself. Keep these accessible — digital and printed.
5
Know the new entry systems
The EU's biometric EES is now live at Schengen borders, and ETIAS (€20, for visa-free visitors) is expected in Q4 2026. Allow extra time for first-time biometric checks.
6
Re-verify within 2 weeks of travel
Fees and rules change often (and did again in 2026). A quick final check on the official site avoids nasty surprises at check-in.
How to Avoid Visa Scams When Checking Visa Requirements by Country
🔒 Use Official Government Sites Only
Official visa websites end in .gov, .gov.uk, .gc.ca, .go.jp. If a URL looks different, it's likely a third-party charging extra.
💰 Know the Real Visa Fee
Check the official fee on the government website before paying anyone. Fees often differ between tourist and business visas — and by nationality. If a site charges more, you're paying a middleman.
❌ No Agent Can Guarantee Approval
Only government immigration officers approve visas. Any agency promising guaranteed approval is not being honest.
⏰ Apply 4–8 Weeks Before Travel
Most applications are straightforward with enough time. Apply well before your departure date.
📋 Prepare Strong Documents
The number one reason for rejection is incomplete paperwork. Have bank statements, employment letter, itinerary, and accommodation proof ready.
🌐 Verify Before You Fly
Visa rules and fees change frequently. Always verify on the official government website within 2 weeks of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visa Requirements by Country
Use official government websites: GOV.UK for the UK, travel.state.gov for the US, canada.ca for Canada, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for Australia. All are free or charge only the official fee.
Often not. Some countries use one visitor visa for both (the UK, US B1/B2, Canada and the Schengen short-stay all charge the same regardless of purpose), but others price them separately — India's e-Business visa costs more than its e-Tourist visa, and China issues distinct L (tourist) and M (business) visas. Always check the specific visa type for your trip.
A valid passport (6+ months validity), application form, passport photos, proof of accommodation and return flights, bank statements, travel insurance, and evidence of ties to your home country.
Türkiye, India, Australia, Japan, Thailand and others offer eVisa or visa-free entry for many nationalities. The UAE offers free visa on arrival for many passports. South Korea has waived K-ETA for visa-exempt nationals through Dec 2026. Always check your own nationality on the official site.
Only use official government websites with URLs ending in .gov, .gov.uk, .gc.ca. Know the real fee before paying. No agent can guarantee approval.
Keep all documentation. If your flight was delayed 3+ hours or cancelled and the cause was within the airline's control, you may be entitled to up to €600 per passenger under EU261/UK261 — separate from any visa issue.
✈️ Good to Know Before You Fly
Visas aren't the only thing that can derail a trip. If a flight is delayed 3+ hours, cancelled, or you're denied boarding — and the cause was within the airline's control — passengers on EU/UK flights can be owed up to €600 each under EU261/UK261, plus reimbursement of proven expenses. It's worth knowing your rights before you go. SkyAid handles these claims on a no-win, no-fee basis if it ever happens to you.