How long can I stay in the UK without a passport?

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.



You generally cannot stay in the UK for any amount of time without a valid passport, as of February 25, 2026. Following the full rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, almost all visitors (except British and Irish citizens) must present a valid passport and a pre-approved ETA to enter the country. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens, who previously could enter using just a national ID card, are now required to use a digital passport for all border crossings. For those with valid immigration status or a visa, the stay duration is typically capped at six months for standard visits. If you are a dual British citizen without a valid UK passport, you may face significant delays and identity checks at the border, as nationality must be verified before entry is granted, effectively ending the era of "passport-free" travel for most.

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