Technical Notice - Reminder Concerning Visa Arrangements - 558/2026

NOTE: This technical notice does not apply to Gibraltar Identity cardholders, Gibraltar Civilian Registration cardholders or other British citizens.

1. Impact of Treaty Arrangements

Details with respect to the impact of the treaty arrangements on immigration arrangements and the crossing of Schengen external borders were published on 26 February 2026, on the Government's Treaty website FAQs, upon publication of the text of the treaty.

The purpose of this Technical Notice is to remind and update the public with respect to arrangements concerning visa requirements with respect to the entry into Gibraltar by visa-requiring third country nationals.

This Technical Notice will cover only certain aspects relating to the above which HMGoG seeks to underline. To obtain a fuller picture on the impact of the treaty arrangements on immigration matters generally, the public should refer to the FAQs.

2. Visa requirements with respect to the entry into Gibraltar by visa-requiring third country nationals

As is the case between all Schengen states, Gibraltar has agreed to align its short stay visa policy (for stays of 90 days in any 180 days) with that of the Schengen Area. In the same way that the short stay visa policy of the Schengen States is homogenised to allow immigration control free movement across the internal borders of the Schengen States, this is a necessary element of the treaty which allows for there to be no immigration controls between Gibraltar and the Schengen Area.

This leads to a number of consequences:

• Gibraltar will align its list of non-visa requiring third-country nationalities with that of the EU over time. The list is extensive, and it comprises over 60 visa-exempt passport jurisdictions including the USA, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Israel and the United Kingdom. A full list of visa-exempt passport jurisdictions is appended to this Technical Notice.
• Gibraltar will align its list of visa-requiring third-country nationalities with that of the EU over time.
• Gibraltar will no longer operate exemptions linked to a person's immigration status in the UK e.g. the exemptions we currently apply with respect to visa-requiring third country nationals who are resident in the UK or have been issued with a UK visa.
• Neither will Gibraltar operate any other exemption that is not consistent with Schengen policy on visas.
• Gibraltar will recognise, as valid for entry into Gibraltar, Schengen short-stay visas issued by any of the Schengen States.
• The Schengen States will no longer require a Schengen short-stay visa from any person legally resident in Gibraltar. This will be of particular interest to persons legally residing in Gibraltar who have normally required a visa in order to travel to the Schengen Area (e.g. Indian or Moroccan nationals).
• Gibraltar will reciprocate with respect to persons legally resident in a Schengen State.

So, in relation to visas, what will be required from visa-requiring third-country nationals (therefore, not UK citizens) who wish to visit Gibraltar?

In addition to fulfilling other entry conditions applicable, such persons will be required to be in possession of a Schengen short-stay visa. To obtain one, an application would need to be made to the appropriate Schengen authorities. Where the main purpose of the visit is to stay in Gibraltar, the treaty allows Spain, as the neighbouring Schengen State, and whose Schengen territory will actually be crossed by the traveller, and with access to Schengen information systems that shall issue the visa. However, if a visit includes destinations both elsewhere in the Schengen Area (e.g. Portugal) and Gibraltar, and Gibraltar is not the main destination, the visa will be issued by the Schengen State competent to do so in accordance with Schengen rules (e.g. Portugal in this example if Portugal is the main destination).

Separately, and a point that is important for shipping agents and port operators to note, exemptions from visa requirements will apply to civilian sea crew members, when they land to board a ship or go ashore to transit to another country, provided they hold a seafarer's identity document issued in accordance with the International Labour Organisation Conventions No 108 of 13 May 1958 or No 185 of 19 June 2003 or the International Maritime Organisation Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic of 9 April 1965.

Closure of the UK Visa Application Platforms

As a result of the arrangements described above, the existing UK visa application process for travel to Gibraltar ceased operations on 8 July 2026 in preparation for the implementation of the new arrangements on 15 July 2026.

Therefore:

• It is no longer possible to apply for a UK visa to travel to Gibraltar.
• UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) will no longer accept new applications for Gibraltar.

New arrangements from 15 July 2026

From 15 July 2026, the arrangements described in this Technical Notice will apply.

Applications for Schengen short-stay visas will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Schengen Visa Code and will be examined by the competent consular authorities of the relevant Schengen State or by their authorised visa application centres.

Advice to Prospective Travellers

If you are planning to travel to Gibraltar from 15 July 2026 for any purpose, including work, and require a Schengen short-stay visa, you are strongly advised to:

• Acquaint yourself with the procedures for applying for a Schengen short-stay visa from your country of residence.
• Allow sufficient time for visa processing before making any travel arrangements.
• Refrain from making non-refundable travel bookings until the appropriate visa has been obtained.

4. Further Information

For official updates and further guidance, please visit: https://www.treaty.gov.gi/

Alternatively, enquiries may be directed to:

Department of Immigration and Home Affairs Email: [email protected]

or

The Gibraltar Borders and Coastguard Agency Email: [email protected]

Appendix: List of Third Countries Whose Nationals Are Exempt from the Requirement to be in Possession of a Visa