- UK travellers refused immigration clearance at the Australian border more than doubled in 2025, rising from 75 in 2024 to 155, with more people turned away in that single year than in the 2 previous years combined (148).
- Meanwhile, refusals of Brits at the US border more than tripled over the same period, rising from 424 in 2024 to 1,452 in 2025.
- Half (50%) of UK holidaymakers say they aren't confident they know which countries require a visa.
- Over 2 in 3 (67%) have felt stress, anxiety or confusion when applying for a visa, and nearly 1 in 5 (18%) say they've been put off visiting a destination because of the process.
- With visa rules becoming increasingly complex, Confused.com has launched a visa checker tool to help travellers quickly understand entry requirements, costs, and stay limits to avoid being turned away at the border.
Thousands of UK holidaymakers are being stopped at international borders and refused entry due to confusion around visas, permits, and entry requirements. This is often caused by complex rules that change frequently, and continue to catch travellers off guard.
New figures obtained by Confused.com reveal that more than 2,800 British travellers were refused entry at the US and Australian borders between 2023 and 2025.1 Data from U.S. Customs & Border Protection and the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs shows 2,836 Brits were denied entry across the two countries over the three-year period. More were turned away in 2025 alone (1,607) than in the 2 previous years combined (1,229).
In the US, the 2,533 refusals related to visa or travel-documentation requirements under the visa waiver programme (VWP)2. In Australia, 303 Brits were refused immigration clearance between 2023 and 2025, with the vast majority coming from a single year. Out of the 303 refusals, 155 were recorded in 2025, more than double the 75 refusals in 2024.
The US figures show a sharp rise in recent years, more than tripling from 424 refusals in 2024 to 1,452 in 2025. They also reveal who is most affected. Of the 2,533 Brits turned away, men made up more than two-thirds (1,745), while 18–35-year-olds were the largest age group (1,498). Nearly 100 under-18s were also refused, pointing to confusion that reaches beyond solo travellers and affects families too.
Incorrect documentation was behind over half of UK refusals at the Australian border. Of the 303 Brits refused immigration clearance over the three-year period, 189 (62%) were turned away for bogus documentation. These cases more than doubled from 43 in 2024 to 100 in 2025, driving much of the recent rise. A further fewer than 30 were refused for improper documentation over the same period.
And it seems that recent changes to international travel rules have made things more confusing. In the wake of Brexit, alongside evolving visa policies and shifting entry requirements worldwide, British travellers are facing an increasingly complex landscape. While some destinations now offer visa-free access, many still require certain permits or specific documentation to be allowed in the country.
Travellers often misunderstand this. They assume they can rely solely on their passport or arrange permits upon arrival, when in reality, permits can take time to process or come with additional costs. This leaves them at risk of being turned away at the border. Some popular destinations that require certain permits are listed below.
Visa / permits costs on popular destinations for UK tourists
| Country | Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
European Union
|
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) permit will be required for visa-free travel to most EU countries. The official start date has not been confirmed yet but it will be valid for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period).
|
€20 application fee
|
|
United States of America
|
The UK is part of the visa waiver programme. But you must have an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
|
$40 USD
|
|
Australia
|
You can usually obtain an eVisitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Permitted for up to 3 months.
|
Potential service charge of $20 AUD to use the ETA app.
|
|
China
|
Currently visa-free entry is allowed for short stays (e.g. tourism/business) under a temporary policy running until December 2026. After that, a visa will likely be required again unless extended.
|
N/A
|
|
India
|
You’ll need either a regular paper visa or e-visa. Check your eligibility to apply. Make sure you get your passport stamped.
|
From £25–£80 for an e-visa (depending on length). A standard paper tourist visa is around £127
|
|
Pakistan
|
You can apply for a tourist visa prior to arrival. Submit your intent to travel at least 24 hours before your planned trip to receive Visa Grant Notice. You must have an unexpired visa to leave Pakistan.
|
Fees vary based on visa type and duration, with processing taking 7–10 business days
|
|
Kenya
|
You must apply online for electronic travel authorisation in advance of travel. The local authorities recommend applying at least 2 weeks before your departure.
|
Around £16
|
Further research is based on a survey of 2,000 UK passport holders who go on holiday abroad at least once per year. The findings suggest the problem isn't just isolated incidents but part of a broader lack of awareness and confidence among travellers. Half (50%) admit they aren't confident which countries require a tourist visa for entry. This comes as 54% say the visa application process is too complicated or confusing, with over a third (37%) lacking confidence in navigating it altogether.
For those who have applied for a visa before, more than 2 in 3 (67%) reported experiencing negative emotions during the process, including stress (53%), anxiety (46%) and confusion (45%). In some cases, this frustration is enough to change travel plans entirely, with nearly 1 in 5 (18%) saying they’ve been put off visiting a destination because of the visa process. Cost and confusing rules are also major barriers. Over half of travellers (57%) cite visa fees as a deterrent, while 2 in 5 (40%) are discouraged by unclear requirements, raising concerns that many may delay applications or travel without fully understanding what is needed.
As a result, even well-planned holidays can quickly unravel. From missed trips to wasted spending, the consequences of getting it wrong can be both financially and emotionally costly.
To help, Confused.com has launched a new visa checker tool, designed to help UK travellers quickly understand the entry requirements for their destination before they travel. The tool provides clear, country-specific guidance on whether a visa is required, alongside key information on application processes, helping holidaymakers avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary stress.
Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, comments:
“Being turned away at border control is something no traveller expects, but it’s a real risk if you’re unsure about the entry requirements for your destination. Visa rules can be complex and vary between countries, so even small mistakes can result in people being refused entry and losing out on their holiday. And it's worth knowing that if you're refused entry, it may not be covered by standard travel insurance. Insurers may treat refusals as a preventable risk rather than an unforeseen emergency. This means you could be left to bear the cost of return flights and non-refundable bookings yourself.
“That’s why we’ve launched our travel visa checker, giving people a quick and simple way to check visa requirements, stay limits and any associated fees before they travel. It’s designed to remove confusion and help holidaymakers feel more prepared
“Visas are just one part of getting ready for a trip. Travellers should also check their passport validity, make sure they have appropriate travel insurance and understand what it does and doesn't cover, and keep important documents and emergency contacts easily accessible to avoid any last-minute issues.”
-ENDS-
Unless otherwise stated, all research was carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Confused.com of 2,000 UK passport holders who go on holiday abroad at least once per year. This was conducted between the 11th and 18th February 2026.
1. Figures were collated by Confused.com from data and statistics from the CBP Office of Field Operations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and from the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs, requesting the following information:
a. Please provide the number of UK nationals who were refused entry at the US/Australian border due to visa or other entry-rule requirements in the calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025.
b. Please provide the reason recorded for which UK nationals have been refused entry in the calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025.
2. All individuals included were recorded as having attempted to enter, or been refused entry to, the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) of which the United Kingdom is a member. For the purposes of this, “denied entry due to visa reasons” refers specifically to cases where an individual was refused entry to the United States due to missing, invalid, or inappropriate visa or travel documentation for tourism. This includes cases recorded under INA §212(a)(7)(B)(i)(II) (nonimmigrant without valid documentation), and administrative non-criminal classifications.
Media information
Confused.com press office
chloe.walters@confused.com
katharine.adair@confused.com
pressoffice@confused.com
About Confused.com
Launched in 2002, Confused.com was the UK’s first digital marketplace for car insurance and is one of the leading brands in the sector, generating over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the years to include home insurance, van insurance, motorcycle insurance, and car finance comparison, as well as a number of tools designed to save consumers money.
Confused.com is not an insurance company or lender. It provides an objective and unbiased service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com’s service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators. Confused.com is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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