No, the U.K. government has not removed visa requirements for all visitors

By: Soham Shah
June 15 2023

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Context

A YouTube video uploaded by a channel called U.K. Immigration News on June 11, 2023, went viral on WhatsApp, claiming that the U.K. government has removed visa requirements for visitors from all countries in 2023. The video claims this move is to "streamline the Visa process, promote tourism, and facilitate easier access for those wishing to explore the U.K."

However, this is not true. 

In Fact

The video in question does not mention any specific policy change or a new rule or provide any sources for its information. It also does not give any reference links in the description. It merely claims that "The U.K. government has made a groundbreaking decision to eliminate the requirement of a visit visa for visitors."

We found no announcement that visitors do not need a visa on the U.K. Government website. The U.K. government site provides an exhaustive list of nations whose citizens need visas to enter or transit through the U.K. It also details the various types of visas one can avail to visit the U.K. 

The only relevant announcement we found was about the visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). On June 6, 2023, the U.K. government announced that visitors from the GCC and Jordan would soon be able to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme (ETA) that would cost just £10 instead of an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW), which had replaced visas. An ETA is a digital permission to travel for those visiting or transiting through the U.K. who do not need a visa for short stays or do not currently hold another U.K. visa. Before this, Gulf nationals had to pay £30 per visit under the current EVW scheme, and Jordanian nationals had to pay £100 for a visit visa. 

The scheme will come into effect for citizens of Qatar in October 2023 and for citizens of other GCC countries and Jordan in February 2024. The announcement also says there will be a "worldwide expansion (of the scheme) throughout 2024."

It is noted that nationals of several countries can visit the U.K. without a visa. According to the U.K. government website, this includes the U.S., all the nations in the European Union and the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and certain Commonwealth nations. According to the site, nationals of these countries can stay in the U.K. as a tourist for up to 6 months without a visa but must meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements.

The Verdict

We mark this claim as false as the U.K. has not removed visa requirements for visitors from all countries in 2023. Only the visa policy for GCC countries and Jordan has been changed.