Check if you need a UK visa: Information based on your answers

You may be able to come to the UK without a visa if you’re doing certain types of work or academic activities

If you’re travelling on or after 8 January 2025, you’ll need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

What you can and cannot do without a visa

You can come to the UK as a Standard Visitor for up to 6 months without a visa if you’re doing certain activities, such as:

  • going to meetings or conferences
  • doing academic research
  • doing certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) for UK-based organisations

You cannot:

  • do other paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
  • do a work placement or internship
  • sell directly to the public or provide goods and services

If you’re doing a permitted paid engagement, you must do it within one month of arriving. You can stay in the UK for up to 6 months, but cannot do any paid engagements after the first month.

Check the full list of business activities, academic activities or permitted paid engagements you can do as a Standard Visitor.

To research certain subjects at postgraduate level or above, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. If you do need one, you’ll need to get your ATAS certificate before starting your research.

You may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you have a criminal record or you’ve previously been refused entry into the UK.

What you need at the UK border

You must provide a valid passport or travel document. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.

You may also be asked to prove:

  • you’re eligible for the activities you want to do
  • you’ve arranged accommodation for your stay
  • you’ll leave at the end of your visit
  • you’re able to support yourself and your dependents during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)

Find out more about visiting the UK as a Standard Visitor.

The rules on what you’ll need to enter the UK may be different if you’re travelling from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

If you want to do other paid work in the UK

You must apply for a visa if you want to work:

If you want to work in arts or entertainment for 3 months or less

You do not need a visa for qualifying work if you’re coming to the UK for 3 months or less using the Creative Worker visa concession.

You must bring a certificate of sponsorship and evidence of savings to show officers at the UK border.

Your answers

Start again

What’s your nationality as shown on your passport or travel document?
Hong Kong (British national overseas)
Change What’s your nationality as shown on your passport or travel document?
What are you coming to the UK to do?
Work, academic visit or business
Change What are you coming to the UK to do?
How long are you planning to work in the UK for?
6 months or less
Change How long are you planning to work in the UK for?