The UK visa policy allows visa-free entry for up to six months to citizens of several countries, most of which are EU and Commonwealth states. If you are not from the countries included on the visa-exemptions, then you will have to apply for a standard UK tourist visa.

Whether the UK tourist visa is "free" depends entirely on your nationality and the new 2026 entry requirements. For citizens of about 85 countries—including the USA, EU, Australia, and Japan—traditional tourist visas are not required for stays up to six months. However, as of February 25, 2026, all "visa-free" visitors must now obtain a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they can board a flight to the UK. This ETA costs £10 (approx. $13 USD) and is valid for two years or until your passport expires. For citizens of countries not on the "visa-free" list—such as India, China, or Russia—a standard "Standard Visitor Visa" is required, which in 2026 costs approximately £115 for a 6-month stay. It is a high-fidelity requirement to apply for either the ETA or the visa well in advance of your travel, as airlines are strictly required to check for these high-fidelity digital permits before allowing you to board your aircraft, effectively ending the era of completely "free" and spontaneous entry for most international travelers.