The United Kingdom has released an updated list of countries whose citizens are required to obtain a visa before travelling to or transiting through the country.
The revised list, published on July 10, 2026, covers countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
Nigeria remains among the countries whose nationals must obtain a visa before entering the UK or passing through the country en route to another destination.
According to the updated guidance, citizens of the listed countries are required to secure the appropriate UK visa before travelling, depending on the purpose of their visit, whether for tourism, business, study, employment, family visits or transit.
The updated list includes the following countries and territories:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, China (People’s Republic of), Colombia, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Cyprus, Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini (Swaziland), Ethiopia, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Venezuela (non-biometric passport holders), Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
The UK government noted that nationals of these countries must comply with existing immigration rules before travelling to the United Kingdom or transiting through its airports where a visa is required.
The updated guidance forms part of the UK’s immigration policy and is intended to provide travellers with current information on countries whose citizens require entry or transit visas before travelling.
Prospective travellers are advised to confirm the specific visa category applicable to their journey before making travel arrangements, as visa requirements may vary depending on the purpose and duration of travel.
The UK authorities also encourage travellers to monitor official immigration guidance regularly, as visa policies are subject to periodic review and may be amended in response to changes in immigration regulations or bilateral agreements.
