Visas: Always Use the Official Site (and Check Twice)

One of the most important jobs before any trip is checking whether you need a visa for each country you’re visiting. Do this early and give yourself plenty of time.

Never use a third-party visa service

When you apply, always use the official government website of the country you’re travelling to. Third-party visa services can charge you a fortune, and sometimes they charge you for a visa you don’t need, or for one that is free or costs very little when you apply directly.

Tip: Do it yourself, through the official channels.

Check two sources

• The UK government’s foreign travel advice.
• The official government website of the country you’re visiting. If it’s not in English, translate it with Google or Chrome.

Check early, then check again

Visa rules change all the time. It’s fine to look at the rules six months or a year before you travel to plan ahead, but check again one or two months before you go, when you come to apply, to make sure those rules still stand.

For example, China currently lets UK passport holders in visa-free for up to 30 days, but only until the end of 2026. I learned the hard way how much this matters: I was once refused boarding for China over a visa misunderstanding, even though I could have gone visa-free. Now I carry printed proof of anything that might be questioned at check-in.

And if your route has a stopover, check the transit rules for that country too.