The United Kingdom has released an updated list of countries whose citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to or transiting through the UK, with Nigeria among the 72 nationalities affected by the latest immigration guidance.
The revised rules, published on July 10, 2026, reaffirm the UK’s visa requirements for travellers from dozens of countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
Under the updated guidance, nationals of the listed countries will not be allowed to enter the UK—or, in some cases, even transit through British airports—without first securing the appropriate visa in line with UK immigration regulations.
The UK authorities said the updated guidance applies to both visitors planning to enter the country and certain passengers making connecting journeys through British airports, depending on the nature of their travel and any applicable immigration exemptions.
Officials advised intending travellers to confirm their visa requirements before booking flights or making travel arrangements to avoid being denied boarding or refused entry.
For Nigerian travellers, the updated guidance means a valid UK visa remains a mandatory requirement before embarking on any journey to Britain, whether for tourism, business, education, family visits or other approved purposes.
The revised list also includes citizens from several other African countries, alongside nations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
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Countries Listed Under The Updated UK Visa Requirements
The countries and territories include:
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
Ethiopia
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Honduras
India
Iran
Iraq
Côte d’Ivoire
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Kosovo
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Malawi
Moldova
Mongolia
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Pakistan
Palestine
Russia
Rwanda
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Saint Lucia
Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Uganda
Venezuela (non-biometric passport holders)
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Yemen
Zimbabwe
The UK government urged prospective travellers to consult the latest immigration guidance and ensure they possess the appropriate travel documents before departure, noting that failure to comply with visa requirements could result in denied boarding or refusal of entry at the border.