United Kingdom entry requirements for Australian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Smartraveller): Read the official visa text below
Passport validity (Smartraveller): Read the official text below
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – United Kingdom travel advice, section “Travel” · page updated 11 September 2026, still current at 18 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
Whether Australians need a visa for the United Kingdom and how long an Australian passport must be valid, as published by Smartraveller, the Australian Government's travel advice service, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: Canadian passport
Driving in the United Kingdom, do you need an international driving permit? Australian licence · Canadian licence
Do Australians need a visa for the United Kingdom?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The first official sentence does not match a wording we summarise.
Official text, “Visas and border measures”:
Each country or territory decides its own entry and exit rules, including health border screening measures. To find out what you need to enter a destination, ask their embassy, consulate or immigration office.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. The Australian government can't help you if you don't.
If you're travelling to the UK, seek guidance from the UK's Visa and Immigration Service on entry requirements.
If you plan to visit the UK for less than 6 months as a tourist or to transit, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
If you plan to stay longer than 6 months or for reasons other than tourism, you'll likely require a visa. You'll need a visa if you plan to do paid or unpaid work, volunteer or get married. Arrange this before you travel.
Dual Australian-British or Australian-Irish citizens are not eligible to apply for an ETA and may not be able to board a flight to the UK without a valid document. Check the UK's Visa and Immigration Service entry requirements for dual citizens for details on entry requirements.
Australian-British or Australian-Irish dual citizens are required to enter the UK on their British or Irish passport, or through a certificate of entitlement in another valid passport. These dual citizens are not able to be issued an ETA or other visa to enter the UK. The UK Government started enforcing these requirements from 25 February 2026.
As a temporary measure for dual Australian-British nationals who do not have a valid British passport, carriers (such as airlines or ferry companies) may allow travel if you have an expired British passport, issued in 1989 or later, and a valid Australian passport. The personal details on both passports must match. You may be asked to complete additional identity checks on arrival to verify your citizenship. You should contact your carrier before you travel to confirm whether these documents will be accepted for travel to the UK.
Dual Australian-British nationals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they need to urgently enter the UK.
The UK can refuse you entry without a visa, ETA, or evidence of British or Irish dual citizenship. Allow ample time before departure to ensure you have a valid document to enter the UK.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice.
Contact the UK High Commission for details about visas, currency and customs. For assistance with dual nationality, contact the UK Home Office. Australian Government officials can't help you change your UK visa status, expedite a UK passport or visa application, or facilitate your entry into the UK.
More information:
- Entering the UK: Before you leave for the UK
- Dual citizenship
- Visas and border measures
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
An ETA permits multiple visits to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over 2 years or until the holder's passport expires, whichever is sooner.
An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.
More Information:
- Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
Online Immigration Status (eVisa)
UK Visas and Immigration now issues eVisas rather than physical documents. eVisas have replaced the following physical documents:
- biometric residence permits (BRP)
- biometric residence cards (BRC)
- passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
- vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes.
More information:
- Online Immigration Status (eVisa)
- Form for accompanying an eVisa
- Entering and staying in the UK
Visa scams
Travellers have been scammed by private online visa services and travel agents.
Only apply for your visa through the visas and immigration website.
Also in the official “Travel” section:
Other formalities
You can usually use eGates on arrival in the UK (free of charge) if you:
- have a biometric symbol on the cover of your passport; and
- are aged 10+ with an Australian ePassport (10 to 17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult).
You don't need to complete a landing card.
Read the Guide to faster travel through the UK border, as these requirements can change at short notice.
Security
UK airports have extensive security screening. Allow extra time if you're flying to or transiting through the UK. Check UK Department of Transport for details.
Check the UK's hand luggage rules.
Contact your airline or travel provider for more details.
Brexit
The UK provides updated guidance on the implications of Brexit for issues such as travel, residency, education and employment. The latest information can be found on the UK Government website.
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – United Kingdom travel advice, section “Visas and border measures” · page updated 11 September 2026, still current at 18 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
How long must my Australian passport be valid for the United Kingdom?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The official sentence does not match a wording we summarise.
Official text, “Passport”:
Validity
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months before entering or departing. This includes for transit.
If your passport expires too soon, you might not be able to travel.
The Australian Government doesn’t make these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you go. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to get a new passport.
The same section also has Smartraveller's general notes (“Lost or stolen passport”, “Passport with 'X' gender identifier”), the same on every destination page: read them on the official page.
Official source: Smartraveller (Australian Government) – United Kingdom travel advice, section “Passport” · page updated 11 September 2026, still current at 18 October 2026 (Australian time) · checked on 17 October 2026 · Content from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (copyright notice). Changes: we quote excerpts unchanged and leave out some general notes; the short summaries are ours.
For Australian passport holders. These rules are published by Smartraveller, the Australian Government's travel advice service (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), for Australian citizens. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not an Australian Government site and is not endorsed by DFAT. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for the United Kingdom (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
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