There are some visa exempted countries for the US and the UK, which means, these countries are granted entry into these respective countries without issuing a visa. This article is aimed at enlightening travelers who are looking to travel to the US and the UK in recent times.
However, other non-visa-exempted countries can avoid this restriction by being a second citizen of either the US or the UK.
Visa Exempted Countries for the US
The visa exempted countries for the US is applicable to 40countries participating in the visa waiver program, it is also available to citizens of the European Union (EU), although, countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus are required to have a US visa to gain entry.
Furthermore, entry into the US has to be in accordance with the B1/B2 visa for tourism, business, or treatment at their facilities. Visitation of family members and friends is allowed as well, however, study visas and work visas are prohibited under the program.
Do note that before entering the US with the visa waiver program, applicants must obtain permission to enter the country through the Electronic System of Authorization (ESTA). Once you are on the platform, fill out the form and pay a fee of $14.
These rules are not however just given on a platter, there are certain requirements needed of you by the US;
- There must not be any prior refusals into the US;
- No criminal record whatsoever;
- The purpose of travel must be any other purpose aside from work and study;
- Must have obtained the authorization to enter the US through the Electronic System of Authorization (ESTA);
- The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page;
- The passport must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner;
- Proof of living in the US in no distant time, alternatively, you can have a copy of your return ticket.
Read Also: How to Check Visa Status
Visa Exempted Countries
- Andorra;
- Australia;
- Austria;
- Belgium;
- Brunei;
- Chile;
- Croatia;
- Czech Republic;
- Denmark;
- Estonia;
- Finland;
- France;
- Germany;
- Greece;
- Hungary;
- Iceland;
- Ireland;
- Itlay;
- Japan;
- Latvia;
- Liechtenstein;
- Lithuania;
- Luxembourg;
- Malta;
- Monaco;
- Netherlands;
- New Zealand;
- Norway;
- Poland;
- Portugal;
- Republic of Korea;
- San Marino;
- Singapore;
- Slovakia;
- Slovenia;
- Spain;
- Sweden;
- Switzerland;
- Taiwan;
- United Kingdom
Visa Exempted Countries for the UK
The UK has exempted about eighty-seven countries to visit the UK and stay up to six months without a visa. Citizens of countries that are not in the European Union can arrive in the UK without a visa only when they are in transit to Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or the US and they must present their visas of the country they are heading to. If you arrive on a cruise ship you are only allowed twenty-four hours to stay in the country.
As earlier stated, citizens of non-visa-exempted countries can only be exempted from entry into the UK without a visa if they are second citizens of the countries participating in the program. The fastest way to get a second citizenship is through special state programs for investors.
The countries that are mostly known for the special state programs for investors are as follows;
- Malta;
- Antigua and Barbuda;
- Grenada;
- Dominica;
- St Kitts and Nevis;
- Saint Lucia.
Out of all these countries, malta gives the maximum opportunity. Maltese citizens visit and stay in the UK for 180 days visa-free, they also can stay in the US without a visa until the ESTA expires. ESTA is valid for two years. Maltese citizenship is obtained for exceptional services by direct investment also known as citizenship by Naturalization.
Naturalization means that the investor has to obtain a residence permit, maintain the residence permit for about three years, and then apply for citizenship. The minimum investment amount is 690,000 euros and will increase depending on the number of families. Each relative attracts an additional 50,000 euros.
Visa Exempted Countries
- Andorra;
- Antigua and Barbuda;
- Argentina;
- Australia;
- Bahamas;
- Barbados;
- Belise;
- Botswana;
- Brazil;
- Brunei;
- Canada;
- Costa Rica;
- Chile;
- Dominica;
- East Timor;
- El Salvador;
- EU countries except for Ireland;
- Grenada;
- Guatemala;
- Honduras;
- Hong Kong;
- Iceland;
- Isreal;
- Japan;
- Kiribati;
- Liechtenstein;
- Macao;
- Malaysia;
- Maldives;
- Marshall Islands;
- Mauritius;
- Mexico;
- Micronesia;
- Monaco;
- Namibia;
- Nauru;
- New Guinea;
- New Zealand;
- Nicaragua;
- Norway;
- Palau;
- Panama;
- Papua;
- Paraguay;
- Republic of Korea;
- Saint Kitts and Nevis;
- Saint Lucia;
- Saint Vincent and tje Grenadines;
- Samoa;
- San Marino;
- Seychelles;
- Singapore;
- Solomon islands;
- Switzerland;
- Taiwan;
- Tonga;
- Trinidad and Tobago;
- Tuvalu;
- USA;
- Uraguay;
- Vanuatu;
- Vatican City.
