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2,836 UK holidaymakers turned away from airports at two travel destinations

Travel experts say people are confused and think they only need a passport

Thousands of UK holidaymakers are being stopped at international borders and refused entry due to confusion around visas, permits, and entry requirements, new figures have shown/ Data obtained by Confused.com found that more than 2,800 British travellers were refused entry at the US and Australian borders between 2023 and 2025. 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). In Australia, 303 Brits were refused immigration clearance between 2023 and 2025.

The US figures show a sharp rise in recent years, more than tripling from 424 refusals in 2024. 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.

Incorrect documentation was behind over half of UK refusals at the Australian border. While some destinations now offer visa-free access, many still require certain permits or specific documentation to be allowed in the country.

Travellers often 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.

Further research suggests the problem is part of a broader lack of awareness and confidence among travellers. Half say they aren’t confident which countries require a tourist visa for entry and 54% say the visa application process is too complicated or confusing.

Over half of travellers cite visa fees as a deterrent.

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.

Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, said: “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.”

He added: “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.”

Destinations with visa requirements

European Union

  • Requirement: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) permit required for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period).
  • Cost: €20 application fee (exempt for under 18s and over 70s).

United States of America

  • Requirement: Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program.
  • Cost: $40 USD.

Australia

  • Requirement: eVisitor visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), valid for stays up to 3 months.
  • Cost: Free eVisitor visa, or a service fee of $20 AUD if applying via the ETA app.

China

  • Requirement: Temporary visa-free entry allowed for short stays under a policy running until December 2026.
  • Cost: N/A (Free during the temporary policy window).

India

  • Requirement: e-Visa or regular paper tourist visa (passport must be stamped upon arrival).
  • Cost: £25–£80 for an e-Visa (depending on duration); approximately £127 for a standard paper tourist visa.

Pakistan

  • Requirement: Tourist visa required prior to arrival; Intent to travel must be submitted at least 24 hours before departure to obtain a Visa Grant Notice.
  • Cost: Varies by visa type and duration (processing takes 7–10 business days).

Kenya

  • Requirement: Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) applied for online in advance (recommended at least 2 weeks prior to departure).
  • Cost: Approximately £16.

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Fans ‘crying’ over ‘insane’ Legend of Zelda movie trailer decision

Some fans claim Nintendo’s latest update about new film is ‘criminal’

Nintendo shared a huge update during a special presentation.

Fans have admit they are left in tears over an ‘insane’ decision regarding the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda movie. The adaptation is set to hit the big screen next year.

This afternoon (September 9) the popular games company behind the franchise hosted a special ‘Nintendo Direct’ in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the series. The main event for the presentation was the first reveal of gameplay for the upcoming remake of classic Nintendo 64 title, Ocarina of Time.

However, game designer Shigeru Miyamoto who helped create Legend of Zelda and other iconic series such as Super Mario Bros, Star Fox and Pikmin began the presentation by sharing the latest behind the film. He confirmed the release date of April 30, 2027 and also the title.

Unlike the game series, which usually utilises subtitles, the film will just be called The Legend of Zelda. Miyamoto told fans that they will “understand why it is called that” when they watch the movie for themselves.

He also explained that the film is a unique story that takes inspiration from plotlines and concepts from multiple titles across the series.

However, despite many predictions, there was no trailer or footage of the film itself shown. This did not sit well with many fans, who slammed the decision.

Several did not waste time in sharing their thoughts on social media. One posted: ” No trailer of the Zelda movie is insane to be honest.”

One agreed: “Holding a standalone Zelda direct and not having a movie trailer ready for it is absolutely insane.” Another added: “So there isn’t a Zelda movie trailer today… I mean it’s fine the movie isn’t out till April but this was the perfect time to release even just a glimpse.”

Someone else claimed: “No Zelda movie trailer is criminal I do have to say.” One person asked: “I thought we were having the Zelda movie trailer too?! What happened?!”

A person who tuned into the Direct commented: “I’m crying. No Zelda movie trailer, not even a teaser.”

Ahead of The Super Mario Bros Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Nintendo often shared cast and trailers during their Direct presentations. However, it was announced that future news about the Zelda movie will be shared via their app.

Some of the cast is known for the Zelda film including Benjamin Evan Ainsworth playing Link and Bo Bragason taking on the role of Princess Zelda . The title is set to feature Sam Neil’s final performance before his death but his role is still not known.

The Legend of Zelda will release in cinemas April 30, 2027.

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‘I tried 3 ways of learning a new language for my holiday – one was the easiest’

Milo Boyd wanted to see how best to learn a bit of Spanish before heading on holiday, putting Preply, Rosetta Stone and Battersea Spanish language school to the test

“¿Hola, qué tal?”

Cue a string of mysterious words from the cheery bartender I’d nervously tested out my very limited Spanish on. When she stopped speaking, I took that to be my turn.

“¿Me puede dar tres cervezas y tres tortillas?”

After the bartender looked confused for a moment, a miracle happened. Three beers and three tortillas arrived. If you’ve ever spent time learning a language, then you’ll know how toe-curling it can be to try it out, in the wild, for the first time.

Without an expert tutor to pick through your dodgy accent or an encouraging classmate to wait patiently while you remember what the Spanish word for ‘I’ is (yo, incidentally), it’s easy for it all to fall apart.

And on several occasions during my week in Bilbao, it did. Fumbled orders turned to English halfway through; garbled questions were met with blank stares. But when it works, it’s a fantastic feeling that almost lets you forget all the traumatic memories of KS3 French lessons.

If you do want to pick up a bit of a language before heading on holiday, how best to go about it? I put three different ways of learning to the test and found one clear winner.

The evening classes

It’d been ten years since I was last in a classroom, and I was nervous. Would my classmates like me? Would they all be really young? Would they all already know Spanish for some reason?

It’s certainly daunting going back to school, all these years on, however shiny your new pencil case is. Battersea Spanish could not have done a better job of easing me through the first-day jitters.

The South London school bills itself as a cultural hub where learners can immerse themselves in Spanish film nights, cava and conversation sessions in the on-site bar, a Spanish book club, live flamenco performances and much else.

In the first session of the term, learners get a free glass of wine, which really helps get things going. I love this way of learning. The teachers are warm, encouraging and just strict enough that you make sure to do your homework, while my classmates were lovely. Committing to an hour and a half each week, along with an hour of revision, means progress feels gratifyingly quick.

The downside? Getting there! Having to travel somewhere after work is a slog, especially on the cold winter evenings, but well worth the journey.

The app

Duolingo. Babbel. LinQ. Pimsleur. There are now almost as many language-learning apps as there are languages. Having previously spent too much time with the green owl, I gave Rosetta Stone a go.

The interface is a little simpler and more classic-feeling than Duolingo, but I prefer it. Learners choose a category (shopping, travel, food and drink, etc.) and are then shown stock photos of people doing something, with a description alongside.

‘Como comida’ is written next to a photo of someone eating food, with the words spoken out loud. Rosetta Stone works through repetition, having the learner listen to, read, and speak versions of a sentence several times, adding new words along the way.

For me, it’s a perfect app. None of the bells, whistles and premium add-ons that make language learning feel like you’re playing Angry Birds. Just straightforward, comprehensive, and vocabulary-expanding.

The downside? These apps are great if you’ve already got a bit of the language and want to expand it, or are naturally confident when trying them out. Otherwise, the move from private learning on your phone to real-world experience can be particularly daunting.

The tutor

Sitting on a bench in my local park, the summer morning sun lighting up the duck pond, I flicked open Preply and Lucia appeared. We chatted for 40 minutes, with her leading me through the words for family members and basic questions you might get asked at a party.

The major strength of one-on-one tuition is the extra time and attention you get to root out little issues before they grow into big ones, and to put everything you’ve been learning over the past week into practice. Taking a language from the textbook page into real life is probably the best, quickest way to make it stick, while building a rapport with a tutor can turn lessons from a dutiful slog to a fun cultural exchange.

From my experience, Preply tutors are lovely and affordable.

The downside? I have one major issue with Preply. It’s one that has made me start and then cancel a learning plan on three separate occasions. Preply requires learners to buy blocks of at least four hours, which get renewed on a 28-day cycle. While this encourages commitment and regular learning, the lack of flexibility is frustrating, as is the cycle length. If you start a subscription the day after payday, next month it will fall two days before. For anyone balancing a household budget, this is a big downside.

The verdict

For me, nothing beats in-person classroom learning. The accountability it requires is key to learning a language; the social scene it offers makes learning fun; and the combination of reading, writing, speaking and listening means all bases are covered.

If you’re going to learn a language, why not commit and really throw yourself into it? Battersea Spanish is based in London only, but there are plenty of similar schools across the UK, whichever language you’re learning.

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WIN an all-inclusive Caribbean holiday for two!

Escape to Jamaica for 7 nights with a stay at the stunning 5* Sandals Ochi in Ocho Rios.

We’re giving Premium subscribers a chance to enjoy a luxury five-star holiday for two in Jamaica!

The lucky winner can look forward to relaxing at the five-star Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in a standard room on an All-Inclusive basis, surrounded by tropical gardens, beautiful pools and that unmistakable laid-back Jamaican atmosphere. Spend your days soaking up the sunshine, enjoying the resort’s restaurants and bars, or simply relaxing with a cocktail in hand.

The prize will also include round-trip flights from London (via Miami) as well as resort transfers to and from the airport.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the holiday of a lifetime! To enter, simply fill out your details using the form below. This competition is open until 23:45pm on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

If you are unable to view the form below, please click here.

Terms and Conditions:

This competition closes at 23:45pm on Sunday, October 4, 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all submissions after the closing date and will be contacted by email within 7 days to arrange their prize. The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize. Failure to respond at this time will result in forfeiture of the prize/pick of another winner. The prize is non-transferable. The prize is a 7-night all-inclusive holiday for two to Jamaica. Flights will be from a London airport. This competition is only open to Premium/Plus/Gold Star Subscribers only. The winners’ details will be used to administer the competition and will be shared with the company’s prize fulfilment partner, Prizeshark to fulfil the prize. Prizeshark will contact the winner to further liaise on the fulfilment of the prize (please make sure all entry details provided are correct). The winners’ details (name and location) will also be published. Upon entering this competition, there is an option to opt in to receive various newsletters sent via email. If you do opt in, you will receive these newsletters in accordance with their sending schedule, for those who do not opt in to receive any email newsletters, your data will be solely used for the administration of this competition. By entering this competition, you are permitting Reach plc to use your personal data to contact you to arrange prize fulfilment only. Entry to the competition is restricted to one entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Automated entries, bulk entries or third-party entries will be disqualified. This competition is open to UK residents only. This competition is open to people over the age of 18, with the exception of employees of the promoter, their families, agents and anyone else connected with this promotion. This competition is syndicated across the following Premium Apps: Mirror+, Daily Express, Gold Star, Daily Record, MEN, Liverpool Echo, Wales Online, Chronicle Live, Birmingham Live, Belfast Live, Yorkshire Live, Bristol Live, Leicestershire Live, the Sentinel and Nottingham Post. By entering a competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions. Entry implies acceptance of these rules. These terms and conditions shall be governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes arising under these terms and conditions.

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UK woman moving to Australia ships her clothes for £4 thanks to Vinted

Beth Hackman came across the idea by accident

A British woman shipped 8kg of clothes from her wardrobe to Australia for £4 – using a Vinted hack.

Beth Hackman, 25, moved the 10,000 miles from Windsor in Berkshire to Sydney with her partner, Nathan Riley, 25, while travelling in the region from March 2026. The physiotherapist moved with just two large rucksacks worth of clothes, but realised she needed more.

Instead of spending a fortune buying new clothes or on shipping, she downloaded Vinted to see if she could see what her mum, Mel Belsdon, 49, was selling, as she was an avid poster on the app. She then realised she could ship the clothes for free as part of Vinted’s launch in Australia.

Beth FaceTimed her mum so she could buy four bundles of her own clothes for £1 each as her mum listed them, so they didn’t get nabbed by anyone else.

All four 2kg parcels, within the confines of Vinted’s weight limit, arrived within nine days.

Beth said: “It was such a good hack to discover! I could literally picture the clothes I wanted to wear in my wardrobe back home and really didn’t want to have to waste money on new ones.

“I had just redownloaded Vinted on my phone with its location now showing as Australia and it came up saying there was no shipping fees for packages from the UK.

“I couldn’t believe it was true and immediately worked with my mum to get it sorted.

“All my stuff ended up arriving just over a week later on my birthday, which was just perfect.”

Vinted has since removed the free shipping in Australia, with the average parcel now costing £1.50 ($3.03 AUS) to deliver.

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