It is not mandatory for stays of less than six months. You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work. Citizens will soon have to apply for a permit before traveling to the UK and pay a small fee to enter as part of the country's next electronic travel authorization program. The new scheme shouldn't put too much of a burden on your trip planning.
The application process is expected to be quick and simple, according to officials. The typical time for the approval process will be between 48 and 72 hours. Any error in your request could delay the processing time or cause a rejection. Once approved, you can stay in the UK for business or tourism purposes for up to six months.
Short-term studies and medical treatment are also valid purposes. According to officials, the fee will be small, but the exact cost has not yet been announced. The authorization is likely to be valid for two years and will allow several trips to the UK. The permit will be confirmed before the trip and airlines will review people's forms, whether printed or digital documents.
Showing up without permission to travel can result in a penalty. The Nationality and Borders Bill will also make it a criminal offence if someone uses deception to try to obtain authorization. To enter the United Kingdom, all US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African citizens must have a valid passport for the duration of their stay. A passport will allow you to stay in the country for up to 6 months.
The immigration officer may also want to see proof of your intention to return to your point of origin (usually a round-trip ticket) and of visible means of support while you are in Great Britain (credit cards accepted). If you plan to fly from the United States or Canada to the United Kingdom and then to a country that requires a visa (India, for example), you must obtain that visa before arriving in Great Britain.
