Discover essential visa, passport, and medical information when planning visits to North East England.
Passport Information
Depending on your citizenship and where you are flying from, you may have to present a passport or identity document (ID) upon arrival to the UK. All passports and IDs must be valid for the entirety of your stay.
- EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can enter the UK with a passport, Irish passport card or, if eligible, an identity card issued by the EU, EEA or Switzerland
- Irish citizens may continue to use their national ID card.
- Nationals from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland will need a valid passport.
For up-to-date information please visit the GOV.UK website.
Visa Information
You may need a Visa to travel to the UK and it will depend on your reason for visiting and nationality.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can stay in the UK as a visitor for up to 6 months without a visa.
Irish citizens have no visa requirements and can travel to the UK.
Nationals from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
To check if you need a Visa go to GOV.UK website
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
From 8 January 2025, eligible non-Europeans need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for travel to the UK. This gives visitors permission to travel to the UK. It costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time, over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. More information on ETAs.
Medical/Emergency Services
If you require healthcare assistance during your stay here are some of the services you may need:
- Medical Emergency - Call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
- If not life threatening - Call NHS 111
- Ask a local pharmacist for advice
You will need to pay for some things such as eye tests, dental treatment and prescriptions, just like people who live in England. Find out more.
