Use these guides to understand published UK immigration requirements and questions to check. Confirm the current rule on GOV.UK and obtain regulated advice for your own circumstances.
The useful starting point
These routes solve different immigration problems
Nationality and journey purpose decide whether an ETA or visa is required. Neither permits ordinary UK employment.
Side-by-side
Key differences
Eligible nationalities who do not need a visa for the planned short visit.
Travellers who need a visitor visa or whose circumstances require one.
Advance digital permission to travel to the UK.
Entry clearance for permitted visitor activities.
Does not guarantee entry.
A visa also does not remove the border examination.
Only activities permitted under the relevant visitor framework.
Only activities permitted under the Visitor rules.
Confirm the current rules
Read both official route pages
Know when a guide is no longer enough
Eligibility assessments, evidence reviews, application preparation and representation should be handled by a suitably regulated professional.