Destinations that need a visa for travel (and how to avoid a visa rip-off)

Dreaming of an adventurous holiday to a far-flung, trip-of-a-lifetime destination? We don’t blame you. But the further you go (think Australia, India and the USA), the more likely you are to need a visa for travel.

With US ESTA fees increasing this month, Vietnam expanding the validity of their e-Visa, and Cuba transitioning to a new e-Visa system, knowing which destinations require a visa – and how much it will cost you – is getting harder to keep track of.

Unfortunately, there are fraudulent websites out there looking to capitalise on this. These sites offer fake visa services that charge well over what’s necessary. For example, we have found charges of up to £75 on top of the normal visa fees for doing nothing other than directing you to the correct website.

To help prevent you from becoming a victim of these sites, we look at the popular holiday destinations that require a visa for travel, and the correct process and costs for travellers with a full British passport.

USA

ESTA – US$21 (£16) / US$40 (£30)

The visa waiver scheme for trips to the US, including the holiday favourites of Florida, New York and Las Vegas, is known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) and has been in place for many years.

However, many holidaymakers get caught out by spurious websites charging over the odds – and which may not even give you the correct documentation for arrival in the US. Use the official site below only.

It’s also recommended that you purchase your visa when you book your holiday but if this is not possible, you must apply no later than 72 hours before departing for the US or you may be denied boarding.

The length of trip permitted under ESTA visas is 90 days. Once issued, the ESTA is valid for two years and allows multiple trips into the USA without the need to buy a new visa. If your passport expires in this time, you will need to reapply. Passports need to be valid for the duration of your intended stay.

From 30 September 2025, US ESTA fees will increase from $21 to $40. Any Brits without an ESTA who are planning to travel to the US soon should consider applying now. Note that your application will need to be submitted and approved by 30 September to lock in the $21 rate. The official website advises that approval typically takes under 72 hours.

Apply on the official website here.

Vietnam

No visa required

It’s the perfect time to really explore Vietnam – as of March 2025, the Vietnamese government announced the extension of visa-free travel for citizens of twelve countries, including the UK.

Brits do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for visits of up to 45 days. Passports must have two blank pages and be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of your arrival.

For longer stays, you will need to apply for an e-Visa. Find more details on the official website here.

Thailand

No visa required

British citizens do not need a visa to enter Thailand for visits of up to 60 days.

Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in Thailand and have a minimum of one blank page. You may also need to show proof of onward travel.

You can apply to extend your stay for an additional period of up to 30 days while in the country.

As of 1 May 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand are required to fill out a Digital Arrival Card online before arrival. Find more information on the official website here.

India

e-Tourist Visa – From US$10 (around £8)

India’s electronic visa service (the e-Tourist Visa) is an easy process for Brits visiting the country – great news if you’re after a winter sun holiday to Goa or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to visit the Golden Triangle.

There are three e-Tourist visas for India available from the UK: 30 days, 365 days or 5 years. The scheme is designed for shorter visas to be approved quickly.

Apply for a visa for all Indian tourist trips arriving at one of 31 airports including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Goa. You can apply for a visa as late as four days ahead of your arrival and up to a maximum of 120 days ahead of your trip date.

You can stay 30 days under the short-stay e-Tourist visa; with the longer-term visas, you’re allowed up to 180 continuous days.

Passports will need to be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of your arrival in India and have two blank pages for your visa.

Apply on the official website here.

Canada

eTA – CAD$7 (around £4)

Brits will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in order to enter Canada. The scheme acts similarly to the ESTA visa waiver programme for the US; the official website advises that you apply before you book your travel to Canada.

You’ll need a valid eTA code in order to complete your check in, whether Canada is your final destination or you are only flying through in transit. The eTA is electronically linked to your passport and will last for five years or until your passport expires.

The eTA generally allows you to stay in Canada for up to six months, but this is determined by a border services officer at the port of entry. Passports need to be valid for the duration of your intended stay.

Apply on the official website here.

Australia

eVisitor – Free

Australia's excellent eVisitor visa scheme is easy to use, though you must apply from outside the country. Be aware that airlines charge for this service, so do it yourself using the official website below.

With the eVisitor scheme, you can stay in Australia for up to 90 days at any single time, allowing for multiple entries within twelve months. Passports need to be valid for the duration of your intended stay.

Apply on the official website here.

Cuba

e-Visa – £20

Planning a trip to Cuba? You’ll need to get an e-Visa before departing the UK.

As of July 2025, Cuba’s electronic visa system replaced the paper Tourist Card. Current Tourist Cards will only be valid up until 31 December 2025.

You should apply for a visa online via the official e-Visa Cuba website. You will need your passport details and a valid email address. Once approved, you’ll receive an electronic code that you’ll need when filling in your advance passenger information on the DViajeros website. This will generate a QR code that must be presented at immigration upon arrival in Cuba. The e-Visa will be linked to your passport.

With an e-Visa, you’re allowed to stay for up to 90 days on a single entry, with the possibility of extending for an additional 90 days.

To enter Cuba, your passport needs to be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival and three months from the date you leave the country. You will also need to show proof of return or onward travel.

Apply on the official website here.

Cambodia

e-Visa – US$30 (around £22)

If you’re visiting or travelling through Cambodia you will need to apply for an e-Visa either online or via the official e-Visa app before you travel. Allow at least three business days for your e-Visa to be processed and to receive the approval letter. You will need to show your e-Visa certificate at immigration upon arrival.

An e-visa is valid for three months and can be used for a single entry of up to 30 days. You must ensure your passport is stamped on arrival and keep the departure form you will be given.

Passports need to be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of your arrival in Cambodia. It’s worth noting that your entry may be refused if your passport is damaged or has missing pages. Apply on the official website here.

You must also complete an electronic Arrival Card if you are entering Cambodia via Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville international airports. It’s free and must be submitted within seven days prior to your arrival. Apply for an e-Arrival Card here.

Egypt

e-Visa – US$25 (around £19)

Travellers heading to one of Egypt’s South Sinai resorts (that’s Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba) will not need a visa for stays up to 15 days. Instead, you’ll receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. If your trip extends this time frame or you intend to travel outside of the resort areas, you must apply for a visa in advance.

For everyone else, you’ll need to apply for a visa. Apply online via the official e-Visa website (recommended) or from your nearest Egyptian consulate.

An e-Visa entitles you to a maximum three-month stay on a single entry. Passports need to be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of your arrival in Egypt and have at least one blank page.

Apply on the official website here.

New Zealand

NZeTA – From NZD$17 (around £8)

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) – a visa waiver – is your ticket to discovering Maori culture and Middle Earth. But it’s not the only requirement: you’ll also need to fork out for the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) when you apply. As of October 2024, the fee costs NZD$100 (around £44).

The NZeTA costs NZD$17 (around £8) if you apply via the free app or NZD$23 (£11) online, is valid for up to two years, and allows for multiple entries. You should allow up to 72 hours for processing.

On arrival, keep your documents handy as you may need to prove you meet the visa-free entry criteria at airport immigration. This can include showing an onward ticket and having sufficient funds to support you for the duration of your stay in New Zealand. Full details on entry requirements can be found on the FCDO website.

The maximum length of trip permitted with the NZeTA is six months. Passports need to be valid for a minimum of three months from the date you intend to depart New Zealand.

Find out more and apply on the official website here.

Sri Lanka

ETA – US$50 (around £37)

Following the suspension of a new e-Visa system in August 2024, Sri Lanka has reinstated its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) visa for all tourists.

With an ETA, you can remain in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days; it also allows two entries into the country within this period. An approval notice should be issued within 24 hours of application. Apply for an ETA on the official website here.

Passports need to be valid for a minimum of six months from the date you arrive. You may be required to show a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay.

In July 2025, the Sri Lanka government confirmed that a new visa-free policy will be introduced for UK tourists visiting for up to 30 days. A roll-out date is yet to be announced. You can find the latest information on the official website here.

Tanzania

Tourist Visa – US$50 (around £37)

To enter Tanzania (mainland and Zanzibar), you must have a Tourist Visa.

You can apply for this online in advance of travel via the e-visa website or on arrival at a main entry port. You’ll need proof that you meet immigration requirements to hand if you choose the latter. You can no longer obtain one from the Tanzanian High Commission in London.

You may also need to provide proof of your return or onward flight ticket upon arrival into the country.

With a Tourist Visa – whether you apply online or on arrival – you can stay for up to a maximum of 90 days on a single entry. Passports need to be valid for a minimum of six months from the date you arrive in Tanzania and have one blank page. Apply on the official website here.

As of October 2024, Zanzibar introduced mandatory travel insurance, which requires all foreign visitors to obtain a policy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) to cover the duration of their stay. You can find more information on the Visit Zanzibar website here.

Our visa top tips

• When planning and booking a trip, always check to see if you need a visa for travel and the length your passport needs to be valid for. British Nationals can do that by visiting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.
• Check your passport will be in date when you travel – follow our advice on how to renew your passport.
• Find out if you need blank pages in your passport for visas.
• Plan time to apply for your visa – every country has different requirements so the earlier you plan, the easier it is.
• Use official sites only or trusted companies who specialise in obtaining visas on a fast-track basis.
• When applying, keep copies of all documents and track your application.
• When you receive your visa, photocopy it and travel with this copy in case your passport is lost or stolen. It’s wise to also keep details of the visa number in your mobile phone, plus a photo of the document for easy access.
• If you are travelling with the intention of working, or for prolonged periods, you may need to apply for specialist visas. Check the official website of the country you are travelling to.
• Note that people with any form of criminal record may need to apply for a visa in person. Check the visa website of the country you are travelling to.

*Please note: All prices and information correct as of 18 September 2025. Always check the latest information on official websites before applying for a visa.