PASSPORTS : Passport valid for whole period of the visit to the UK required by all except:

1. Nationals of EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland with a valid national ID card.

Note: (a) A passport is not required for travel between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. (b) Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:

(a) nationals listed in the chart above;

(b) nationals of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Kiribati, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

Note: Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay.

Types of visa and cost: Standard visit, student and visitor in transit: £36. One-year visit: £60. Two-year visit: £70. Five-year visit: £88. Ten-year vist: £150. Direct Airside Transit: £27. Fees are usually payable in the local currency and are subject to variation in both price and method of payment. Enquire at nearest High Commission/Embassy. Visa fees are not refundable.

Validity: Visit visas: Six months, one year, two years, five years or ten years; all visit visas are valid for multiple entries within the period of validity. Visitor in transit visas are not required by those continuing their journey to a third country by the first connecting aircraft within 24 hours, provided possessing confirmed onward travel documentation. Those in transit to another country, who will remain the the UK for no longer than 48 hours, will need a visitor in transit visa. A visit visa is required for any transit stay over 48 hours. Direct Airside Transit visas are required by certain visa nationals, even if not entering the UK or changing airports during transit. These countries are Afghanistan, China (PR), Colombia, Croatia, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Slovak Republic, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Application to: Nearest British Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission).

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Two passport-size photos (some nationals may require three photographs). (c) Completed application form (some nationals may be required to fill out an additional form). (d) Fee (postal applications must be accompanied by bank draft, postal or money order only). The supplementary documentaion required will vary depending on the type of application, however, in all cases it is advisable also to provide (e) evidence of funds (bank statements or pay slips). (f) letter of invitiation. (g) evidence of sponsors funds (if applicable).

Working days required: Dependent on nationality of applicant. Applications usually take between 24 hours and ten working days. Applications that are referred to the Home Office may take up to 13 weeks.

Temporary residence: Enquiries can be made at nearest British Consulate, Embassy or High Commission.