🇬🇧United Kingdom Visa for Holy See (Vatican City) Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents
Holy See (Vatican City) passport holders need an approved eTA (electronic travel authorisation) before travelling to United Kingdom — a quick online pre-screening completed before departure, not a full visa.
ETA required (£20). Allows visit up to 6 months.
gov.uk ↗How Holy See (Vatican City) citizens apply for a United Kingdom visa
- → Apply online for the eTA before you travel; approval is usually quick. Apply here ↗
United Kingdom visa cost for Holy See (Vatican City) citizens
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
GBP 20
Fees checked 2 Jul 2026 · sourced from official government fee schedules
United Kingdom visa types
Standard Visitor Visa
Tourism, visiting family/friends, business meetings, short courses
Apply online at gov.uk. Most applicants will be asked to attend a visa application centre. Fee is £135 (as of June 2026). Also covers business visits, so the UK has no separate short-term business visa. Long-term Standard Visitor visas (2, 5 or 10 years) are also available at higher fees.
Apply here ↗Transit Visa (Direct Airside / Visitor in Transit)
Passing through the UK en route to another country
Two types: Direct Airside Transit visa (£41.50, remain airside without passing border control) and Visitor in Transit visa (£74.50, pass through border control and leave within 48 hours). Required for visa nationals changing flights in the UK, unless exempt under the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) scheme.
Apply here ↗Other United Kingdom visa categories (14)Hide other visa categories
These don't apply to a typical short visit, but cover other reasons people travel to United Kingdom. Eligibility varies by visa type — some are limited to specific nationalities, so check each one's conditions.
Student Visa
Studying a course at a licensed UK student sponsor for longer than 6 months
Requires a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a UK Visas and Immigration-licensed sponsor. Application fee £558 when applying from outside the UK (June 2026). Degree-level students aged 18+ can usually stay up to 5 years; below degree level up to 2 years.
Apply here ↗Child Student Visa
Studying at an independent (fee-paying) school in the UK, for children aged 4 to 17
For children aged 4-17 attending a licensed independent school. Requires a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Application fee £558 from outside the UK (June 2026). Children aged 4-15 must be sponsored by an independent fee-paying school. Decision usually within 3 weeks.
Apply here ↗Short-term study visa (English language)
Studying an accredited English language course lasting longer than 6 and up to 11 months
Only for accredited English language courses lasting 6-11 months (shorter courses use the Standard Visitor route). Fee £228 (June 2026). Stay is the length of the course plus 30 days, up to 11 months. Cannot be extended, switched, or used for other subjects.
Apply here ↗Skilled Worker Visa
Working in an eligible skilled job with a UK employer
Requires a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor paying at least the required salary threshold. Standard fee from outside the UK is £819 for up to 3 years or £1,618 for more than 3 years (June 2026); lower fees apply if the job is on the immigration salary list.
Apply here ↗Health and Care Worker Visa
Qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals and adult social care workers with a job offer from an approved UK health or care employer
A subset of the Skilled Worker route with reduced fees and exemption from the immigration health surcharge. Fee £324 (up to 3 years) or £628 (more than 3 years) as of June 2026. Requires a certificate of sponsorship from a Home Office-approved health or care employer. Decision usually within 3 weeks.
Apply here ↗Global Talent Visa
Recognised or emerging leaders in academia/research, arts and culture, or digital technology
No employer sponsorship required, but most applicants need endorsement from an approved body (or an eligible prestigious prize). Fee £766 total (£561 endorsement + £205 visa) as of June 2026. Grant up to 5 years at a time; leads to settlement after 3-5 years. Decision usually within 3 weeks from outside the UK.
Apply here ↗High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa
Recent graduates of a top global university who want to work or look for work in the UK without a job offer
For those who obtained an eligible qualification from a top-ranked university in the last 5 years. No sponsorship needed. Application fee £880 (June 2026). Grants 2 years (3 years for PhD holders); cannot be extended and does not lead directly to settlement.
Apply here ↗Graduate Visa
Post-study work for those who have completed an eligible UK degree on a Student visa
Unsponsored work route for recent UK graduates; applied for from inside the UK. Fee £937 (June 2026). Grants 2 years (18 months if applied on/after 1 January 2027), or 3 years for PhD holders. Cannot be extended and does not lead directly to settlement.
Apply here ↗UK Ancestry Visa
Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man who want to work in the UK
For Commonwealth citizens (also British overseas citizens/nationals and Zimbabwean citizens) able to prove a UK-born grandparent. Fee £726 (June 2026). Grants 5 years; holders can work without sponsorship and apply for settlement after 5 years. Decision usually within 3 weeks.
Apply here ↗Youth Mobility Scheme (Working Holiday)
Living and working in the UK for up to 2 years (age 18–30/35, select nationalities)
Available to nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Uruguay, Andorra, Iceland, India (ballot) and others via bilateral agreements. Fee £340 (June 2026). Base stay 2 years; Australian, Canadian and New Zealand nationals can extend by 1 further year.
Apply here ↗Family Visa (spouse/partner/parent/child)
Joining a spouse, partner, fiancé(e), child, parent or relative who is British or settled in the UK, for longer than 6 months
For partners, fiancé(e)s, children, parents and adult dependent relatives of British citizens or settled persons. Application fee £2,064 per person from outside the UK (£1,407 inside) as of June 2026. Partner route initial grant is typically 33 months from outside the UK; leads to settlement after 5 years. Decisions usually within 12 weeks from outside the UK.
Apply here ↗Marriage Visitor Visa
Coming to the UK to marry or register a civil partnership without intending to stay or settle
For those who will marry or form a civil partnership in the UK but do not plan to settle afterwards. Fee £135 (June 2026). Stay up to 6 months. Those intending to settle after marriage should use the Family visa (fiancé(e)) route instead.
Apply here ↗Standard Visitor Visa (private medical treatment)
Receiving private medical treatment in the UK for longer than 6 and up to 11 months
An extended Standard Visitor route for private medical treatment lasting up to 11 months. Fee £234 (June 2026). Requires evidence from a UK doctor/consultant, treatment details and ability to pay. Private treatment of up to 6 months uses the ordinary Standard Visitor visa (£135).
Apply here ↗Innovator Founder Visa
Setting up or running a business in the UK that is innovative, viable, and scalable
Requires endorsement from a UKVI-approved endorsing body. No minimum investment amount specified. Application fee £1,357 per person when applying from outside the UK (June 2026), plus endorsement fees. Valid 3 years, renewable; leads to settlement after 3 years.
Apply here ↗United Kingdom visa for Holy See (Vatican City) citizens — FAQ
Do Holy See (Vatican City) citizens need a visa for United Kingdom?
Not a visa, but yes — an approved eTA (a quick online pre-screening) is required before travelling.
What documents do Holy See (Vatican City) citizens need for United Kingdom?
A passport valid well beyond your planned stay (commonly three to six months, depending on the destination), proof of onward travel and funds, and any documents required for the specific United Kingdom visa category — check the official portal for the exact passport-validity rule.
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