Visas for Asian countries
Thailand
No visas are required for stays of up to 30 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from date of arrival. And make sure your passport is in good condition: entrance may be refused if it looks tatty or has any pages missing. If you plan to stay for longer than 30 days, you must get a visa before travel; for more details, contact the Royal Thai Embassy.
Malaysia
No visas are required for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from your date of arrival.
Singapore
No visas are required for stays of up to 30 days. Until recently, women who were more than six months pregnant were required to obtain permission before travelling - but the final decision on length of stay permitted now rests with the immigration officer on arrival. Prior entry clearance is still required if you intend to give birth in Singapore. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from your date of arrival.
Indonesia
Visas are required for all UK nationals: you can buy a 30-day visa upon arrival for US$35. This can be extended once for a maximum of 30 days by applying to immigration offices within Indonesia. A seven-day short stay/transit visa is also available in advance, from the Indonesian Embassy in London. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of departure from Indonesia.
Vietnam
A tourist visa is required. Due to the number of bogus companies in operation, it's advisable to purchase one in advance from the Vietnamese Embassy in London. Your passport must be valid for at least one month after the date that your visa expires.
China/Hong Kong/Macao
You'll need a visa for China, but not Hong Kong or Macao - where you can stay for up to six months and three months respectively without a visa. For China, further information is available from the Chinese Embassy in London. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your visa application.
Japan
No visas are required for stays of up to three months - provided your passport is valid for the duration of your stay and you can produce an onward/return ticket.
Visa information for...
...Europe
...North America
...Australia and New Zealand
...the Middle East
...African countries
...Indian subcontinent
...South America
...tropical islands
Further information
This information is correct at the time of publication and for British passport-holders only. For the latest country-by-country advice, see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website
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