Ukraine entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO advice): Valid for the whole stay (until the day you leave)
The FCDO words this as advice (“should” or “make sure”), not as a strict requirement: the full sentence is quoted below.
Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below
Official source: GOV.UK – Ukraine travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 2 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Ukraine, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Do I need a visa for Ukraine with a British passport?
We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it: its first sentence has conditions or a wording we do not turn into a one-line answer.
British Citizen passport holders can enter Ukraine without a visa for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Ukraine has confirmed that this policy will continue to apply to British citizens until 30 January 2027.
If you’re planning to stay in Ukraine for longer than 90 days in a 180 day period, you need to get a visa. For more advice contact the Ukrainian Embassy in London or Consulate General in Edinburgh.
More from the FCDO visa section (extensions, border checks and other cases)
Expired residence cards
If you have a temporary or permanent residence card that’s expired, you are still allowed to return to Ukraine. The expired document will remain valid while martial law remains in place and for 30 days afterwards. For more information see the Visit Ukraine website or contact the State Migration Service of Ukraine.
Visa overstays
If you need to extend your stay in Ukraine, check with the State Migration Service. If you overstay the 90 day allowance, you will be fined and may not be able to return to Ukraine for 90 days after leaving the country.
Official source: GOV.UK – Ukraine travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 2 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
If you’re travelling without a visa, your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. If you’re applying for a visa, your passport may need to have an additional period of validity. Check with the Ukrainian Embassy in the UK for further details.
Additional requirements at the border
At the border you will need to:
- complete an immigration card
- scan your fingerprints as part of biometric data collection at border crossing points if requested by the immigration officer
- have evidence of sufficient funds. You can show:
- cash
- bank cards with bank statements
- accommodation bookings
- tourist vouchers
- a letter of financial support from your sponsor
- return or onward travel tickets
You can find more information on:
- Ukrainian Embassy in the UK
- State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
Official source: GOV.UK – Ukraine travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 2 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Ukraine
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Different rules for other cases (official)
If you’re applying for a visa, your passport may need to have an additional period of validity.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 2 April 2026: “Updated information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and visa requirements ('Warnings and insurance' and 'Entry requirements' pages).”
- 15 January 2025: “Updated information on the specific limitations to in-country assistance to British nationals fighting in Ukraine and the extension of visa free entry for British nationals until 30 January 2026 ('Warnings and insurance' and 'Entry requirements' pages).”
- 10 January 2024: “Information on visa-free entry for British Citizen passport holders extended until 30 January 2025 ('Entry requirements' page).”
- 3 January 2023: “Updated information on policy for British citizen passport holders entering Ukraine without a visa ('Entry requirements' page).”
- 8 December 2022: “Addition of information on permanent resident cards that have expired after 24 February 2022 ('Entry requirements' page).”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Ukraine (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (Valid for the whole stay (FCDO advice))
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status