United Kingdom Visa Requirements, Fees & Application Guide
Most visitors need an e-Visa for United Kingdom — apply online and let HolidaySG handle it.
United Kingdom visa at a glance
- Government visa fee
- 16 GBP (increasing to 20 GBP from 8 April 2026)
- Processing time
- Usually within minutes; allow up to 3 working days
- Validity
- 2 years (or until passport expiry), multiple entries
- Maximum stay
- 180 days
- Visa required?
- Visa-exempt nationalities including Singapore citizens (required from 25 Feb 2026 for entry). NOT available to Indian passport holders.
Do you need a visa for United Kingdom?
Travellers from Ireland; UK residents with valid visas/permits. can generally enter United Kingdom without a visa. An e-Visa is available — SINGAPORE PASSPORT: NO visa needed - just a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), applied online/app in minutes, fee GBP 16 (rising to GBP 20 from 8 Apr 2026), valid 2 years. INDIAN PASSPORT: NOT eligible for the ETA - Indians must get a full UK Standard Visitor Visa via VFS Global before travel.. Visa-exempt nationalities including Singapore citizens (required from 25 Feb 2026 for entry). NOT available to Indian passport holders.
Who does NOT need a visa
Passport holders from Ireland; UK residents with valid visas/permits. do not require a visa for United Kingdom for eligible short visits. Always confirm your passport type and length of stay against the official source before travelling.
Reviewed against official government sources (GOV.UK — Home Office) · Last verified 19 August 2026 · HolidaySG — licensed Singapore travel agency (TA04014).
Official United Kingdom visa options
Verified from government sources · 19 Aug 2026UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Official fee: 16 GBP (increasing to 20 GBP from 8 April 2026)- Validity
- 2 years (or until passport expiry), multiple entries
- Max stay
- 180 days
- Time to verify
- Instant to minutes
- Time to approval
- Usually within minutes; allow up to 3 working days
- Processing time
- Usually within minutes; allow up to 3 working days
- Where to apply
- https://www.gov.uk/eta
Who needs it: Visa-exempt nationalities including Singapore citizens (required from 25 Feb 2026 for entry). NOT available to Indian passport holders.
Visa-free: Ireland; UK residents with valid visas/permits.
Required documents
- Valid passport
- A working email address
- A debit/credit card
- A digital photo / phone selfie taken in the app
Arrival card: None
Extra charges: None if applied via official UK ETA app / GOV.UK
Beware unofficial sites charging extra. Apply before you travel — airlines check ETA at boarding.
Source: GOV.UK — Home Office · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
Standard Visitor visa
Official fee: £135 for 6 months (from 8 Apr 2026; was £127); long-term 2/5/10-year visas cost more- Validity
- 6 months (or 2, 5, 10 years long-term)
- Max stay
- Up to 6 months per visit
- Processing time
- Standard 3 weeks after biometrics; priority services available
- Where to apply
- gov.uk online application + biometrics at a visa application centre (VFS Global in Singapore)
Who needs it: Non-exempt nationals: India, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria, most of Africa & Middle East.
Required documents
- Passport valid ≥6 months with blank pages
- Recent passport photo (white background)
- Confirmed return/onward flight
- Accommodation booking
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
- Completed online application
- Biometrics appointment
- Employment letter / business proof
- Evidence of ties to home country
- Travel itinerary; invitation letter if visiting family
Arrival card: None
Singapore residents apply via VFS Global Singapore.
Source: GOV.UK — Home Office · verified 16 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
Standard Visitor Visa
Official fee: 127 GBP (6-month); 2-yr approx 475 GBP, 5-yr approx 848 GBP, 10-yr approx 1059 GBP- Validity
- 6 months standard; 2, 5 or 10-year multiple-entry options available
- Max stay
- 180 days
- Time to verify
- At biometric appointment
- Time to approval
- Typically about 3 weeks (15 working days) standard; priority services faster
- Processing time
- Typically about 3 weeks (15 working days) standard; priority services faster
- Where to apply
- https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor
Who needs it: Visa-required nationalities including Indian passport holders travelling for tourism, visiting family/friends, business meetings or short courses.
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Recent digital photograph / biometrics at VAC
- Proof of funds (bank statements)
- Travel itinerary and accommodation
- Employment/business proof or ITR
- Invitation letter if visiting family/friends
- Cover letter
Extra charges: VFS Global service fee, optional priority/super-priority service, optional SMS and value-added services
Source: Official government source · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
Standard Visitor Visa
Official fee: 127 GBP (6-month); 2-yr approx 475 GBP, 5-yr approx 848 GBP, 10-yr approx 1059 GBP- Validity
- 6 months standard; 2, 5 or 10-year multiple-entry options available
- Max stay
- 180 days
- Time to verify
- At biometric appointment
- Time to approval
- Typically about 3 weeks (15 working days) standard; priority services faster
- Processing time
- Typically about 3 weeks (15 working days) standard; priority services faster
- Where to apply
- https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor
Who needs it: Visa-required nationalities including Indian passport holders travelling for tourism, visiting family/friends, business meetings or short courses.
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Recent digital photograph / biometrics at VAC
- Proof of funds (bank statements)
- Travel itinerary and accommodation
- Employment/business proof or ITR
- Invitation letter if visiting family/friends
- Cover letter
Extra charges: VFS Global service fee, optional priority/super-priority service, optional SMS and value-added services
Source: Official government source · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
Standard Visitor Visa
Official fee: 127 GBP (6-month); 2-yr approx 475 GBP, 5-yr approx 848 GBP, 10-yr approx 1059 GBP- Validity
- 6 months standard; 2, 5 or 10-year multiple-entry options available
- Max stay
- 180 days
- Time to verify
- At biometric appointment
- Time to approval
- Typically about 3 weeks (15 working days) standard; priority services faster
- Processing time
- Typically about 3 weeks (15 working days) standard; priority services faster
- Where to apply
- https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor
Who needs it: Visa-required nationalities including Indian passport holders travelling for tourism, visiting family/friends, business meetings or short courses.
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Recent digital photograph / biometrics at VAC
- Proof of funds (bank statements)
- Travel itinerary and accommodation
- Employment/business proof or ITR
- Invitation letter if visiting family/friends
- Cover letter
Extra charges: VFS Global service fee, optional priority/super-priority service, optional SMS and value-added services
Source: Official government source · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
United Kingdom visa — frequently asked questions
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United Kingdom travel & visa reading
Ready to apply for your United Kingdom visa?
HolidaySG handles the paperwork end-to-end — licensed Singapore agency (TA04014).
United Kingdom Visa Assistance
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