British Visa Requirements for Southeast Asia

Are you ready for your great Southeast Asian adventure?!

You’re probably not.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll have spent 90% of your travel planning scrolling through Instagram to find the best photo ops and watching videos on YouTube. And you are already well into your final 10%; frantically booking flights, searching for visa requirements and trying to remember whether you’re covered from your latest vaccinations.

If you are a United States citizen and y’all find yourself reading about the wrong country, skip over to the other blog post I wrote for Skyscanner; Southeast Asian Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens. Or you can make yourself a tea, subdue your inner emotions and continue reading this one for the thrills of feeling British.

Us Brits are fortunate enough to hold one of the most accessible passports when it comes to countries we can visit visa-free. However, that doesn’t mean we can pass through border control with ease, frolicking from one country to the next! There’s rules and visa restrictions that we need to take note of before we travel.

Luckily for you, I’ve compiled all of the information you’ll need to know about getting in and out of countries in Southeast Asia.

Last verified June 2026. Visa rules change often, so always confirm with the official FCDO travel advice and each country’s own immigration site before you book. Several of these countries now also require a free online arrival card (Thailand’s TDAC, Malaysia’s MDAC and Singapore’s SG Arrival Card), so complete it before you fly.

• Thailand - visa exempt for up to 60 days
• Vietnam - visa exempt for up to 45 days
• Cambodia - visa upon arrival for 30 days
• Laos - visa upon arrival for 30 days
• The Philippines - visa exempt for 30 days
• Singapore - visa exempt for 90 days
• Malaysia - visa exempt for 3 months
• Brunei - visa exempt for 90 days
• Indonesia - visa on arrival for 30 days
• Burma (Myanmar) - visa required for up to 28 days

A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Before we get started on country-specific visa requirements, take a note of the following requirements that apply to most, if not all immigration policies across Southeast Asia.

Passport Validity

From the date of entry into any country in Southeast Asia, your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months. If you have a passport due to expire within that timeframe, get it sorted before you travel!

If your passport is damaged, or if it has pages missing, there is also a chance that you will be refused entry. So remember to keep it in a safe place when you go jungle-trekking in Indonesia.

Proof of Onward Travel

Some airlines will refuse to board passengers who cannot provide evidence of a departure flight from your destination.

If you are a spontaneous traveller, like me, remember that some airlines offer free cancellations or flexibility within 24 hours of booking. So it is possible to book a flight just before you depart, then cancel your booking upon arrival!

Passport Photos

For visa applications both prior to traveling and upon arrival, you may be asked for passport sized photos that have been taken within the last year.

Keep the local immigration officials happy with your cool efficiency by carrying around around extra passport photos when crossing borders. Visa requirements can change without warning so, when in doubt, bring some extra photos with you!

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Thailand

Visa exempt for up to 60 days.

British tourists can visit Thailand for 60 days visa-free, whether you arrive by air or by land. This 60-day exemption has been in place since July 2024. One thing to watch: the Thai government has discussed cutting it back to 30 days, so double-check the current rule before you fly.

It is possible that you will be asked for proof of adequate finances for the duration of stay, usually 10,000 Baht per person (~£225). This can be in the form of cash, or a copy of your bank statement. They probably won’t accept cryptocurrency.

Vietnam

Visa exempt for up to 45 days.

British citizens can visit Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa (this exemption runs until March 2028). For a longer trip or multiple entries, get an e-visa online valid for up to 90 days: US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry, usually processed within 3 working days.

Cambodia

Visa upon arrival for 30 days from date of entry.

For US$30, you can get yourself a tourist visa on arrival at the Phnom Penh or Siem Reap international airports.

It is now standard practice for Cambodian immigration officials at airports to collect electronically scanned image of your fingerprints upon arrival, so don’t be alarmed when you are asked for your fingerprints! You will also need two passport sized photos.

Make sure your passport is stamped at the airport, and keep the departure form safe to avoid penalties on your departure.

Laos

Visa upon arrival, available at official ports of entry, for up to 30 days.

You can get a visa on arrival for around US$35 or Thai Baht 1,500.00. When you enter Laos, make sure you get an entry stamp in your passport. Not having a legitimate entry stamp could lead to arrest or a large fine.

If you are in the region, you can also enquire about long-stay visas from the Laos Embassies in Bangkok (Thailand) or Hanoi (Vietnam). Alternatively, you can get a visa by contacting the Lao Embassy in London.

It is highly recommended to avoid entry to Laos by boat or ferry, it also illegal and dangerous to swim from Thailand to Laos (just in case anyone was crazy enough to consider it). On a serious note, make sure you enter and exit Laos from the official ports otherwise you will be at risk of fines and even imprisonment.

The Philippines

Visa exempt for up to 30 days.

Unlike our U.S. cousins, we have special privileges when it comes to visiting the Philippines, we can enter without a visa for up to 30 days.

You can also get a tourist visa for stays of up to 59 days from the Philippine Embassy before you travel.

Once you land, my guide to getting around Cebu covers the transport worth using and where to go from there.

Singapore

Visa exempt for up to 90 days.

A sovereign city-state and island country where you don’t need a visa to enter for stays of up to 90 days! This generous exemption applies to both tourism and business visits.

If you are only passing through, my guide to Singapore covers what to do with the time.

Malaysia

Visa exempt for 3 months.

Similar to Malaysia’s smaller neighbouring country of Singapore, you can be permitted to visit for up to 3 months visa free!

However, there are a few rules you’ll have to adhere to. If you enter or exit Sabah or Sarawak, you must have your passport with you, even when arriving on domestic flights within Malaysia.

Despite tolerant visa restrictions, immigration authorities will not tolerate foreigners who overstay their welcome. So, make sure you organise your exit plans ahead of time and stick to your plans to avoid any unwanted fines and detention.

Indonesia

Visa on arrival for 30 days.

British citizens are no longer visa-exempt for Indonesia. You will need a Visa on Arrival, which costs 500,000 IDR (around £25) and is valid for 30 days. Buy it at the airport, or apply for the e-VoA online before you fly to skip the queue. It can be extended once, for a further 30 days, at an immigration office.

Bali also charges a separate tourist levy of 150,000 IDR (about £8) on arrival. Check the current rules and the official e-VoA link on the UK government’s Indonesia entry requirements page.

Brunei

Visa exempt for up to 90 days.

British nationals can enter Brunei for up to 90 days without a visa. Those who overstay can face strict penalties so make sure the entry stamp in your passport indicates the validity of your stay, and pay attention to it.

It is important to respect Brunei’s Islamic customs and social values before and during your stay. You will be subject to local laws and they can differ greatly from those in what we’re used to, so do your research beforehand!

Burma (Myanmar)

Visa required for up to 28 days.

Safety note: since the 2021 military coup, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to most of Myanmar, and against all travel to some areas. Check the FCDO travel advice before planning any trip.

A country in Southeast Asia bordered by India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, and China! You can acquire a visa by applying to the Government of Burma’s e-visa program. You’ll need to obtain an approval letter which will be valid for up to 90 days from the date of issue.

You will be required to display a valid visa at airports, train stations, and even hotels. Remember to keep your visa and your passport on you at all times as security checkpoints are common, especially outside of tourist areas.

Are you tired of debating Brexit? Why not travel to Southeast Asia, where you can almost guarantee that no-one care.

I definitely wasn’t prepared when I started throwing myself around the region in worryingly speedy and often costing more than Uber tuk-tuks. It kinda helps to be informed, so I hope I have informed you well.