Guidance on visiting the UK

Guidance 17th August 2026

ASC welcomes speakers and delegates to our events from around the world. This page provides some useful guidance to visitors wishing to coming to UK to attend one of our events.

Do I require a visa to visit the UK to attend or speak at a conference?

While ASC cannot provide advice on matters such as visas and immigration, we are happy to share some basic information and refer you to the relevant pages in the UK government website where you can check your own situation and apply for the relevant documents you may need to travel to the UK.

This helpful page on the UK Government website contains all the information you need to determine what kind of travel documents you will need to enter the UK. Or simply go to gov.uk, the UK government website and search for “visiting the UK”

Visa or ETA?

Attending one of our events either as a delegate or a speaker is considered business travel.

If you are not a UK or Irish citizen, have settled status or other rights to reside in the UK, then you either need a visa or an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) to visit the UK now.

You can check if your need a visa by using this link to the UK Visa and Immigration webpages.

  • ETA. If you are from one of the many countries where the UK has agreed visa-free travel, you do not need a visa for up to 6 months of business travel. Instead you must have an Electronic Travel Authorisation or ETA, which you apply for online. It is normally issued immediately, but can take up to three days. It costs £16 and is valid for all your travel for 2 years, so long as your passport remains valid.  Apply for an ETA here.
  • VISA. If you require a visa, you can apply for this online from the same webpage. The process for a Standard Visa for a business trip takes around three weeks. The fee for a standard visa is (in 2025) £127.00.

Countries where travel on an ETA is permitted include all the EU and EEA member states, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Mexico and others.

ETAs do not apply to holders of UK or Irish passports, UK residents with settled status or right to remain.

You do not need an ETA if you are travelling on a visa.

Some other useful tips

  • Check you have at least 6 months validity on your passport on the day you plan to enter the UK.
  • Avoid websites that offer services to obtain either an ETA or UK visa for you and charge a premium fee for doing no more than you can do on the official UK website. These may appear as a sponsored search link.
  • Have the details of your booked accommodation and return travel out of the UK when you arrive at the border, in case you are asked.

It is the responsibility of all participants attending an ASC event to ensure they have the relevant authorisation and documentation. We are unable to assist in this process.