UK Entry Clearance

What is UK Entry Clearance?

People come to the UK for many different reasons including to visit family or friends, as a tourist, to work or to study, or with the intention of settling here temporarily or permanently. If you are a foreign national under UK Immigration Rules you may need to be granted Entry Clearance from the UK Home Office before you can enter the UK to do these things.

Where you do need Entry Clearance you must make an application to the department of UK Visas and Immigration established at a British Embassy or High Commission in your country of residence prior to travelling.

Our lawyers are experienced in offering UK Entry Clearance advice, as well as helping many foreign nationals successfully apply for Entry Clearance into the UK. One of our dedicated immigration lawyers can work with you to individually assess which type of Entry Clearance is right for you.

You can get in touch with our London, Manchester, or Birmingham immigration lawyers, or use the office finder to find the closest branch to you.

Who needs UK entry clearance?

Generally speaking, all visa-required nationals require entry clearance in the form of a valid visa in order to enter the UK. This applies to any visa-required national coming to the UK, regardless of the purpose or duration of visit.

Non-visa required nationals also require entry clearance if entering the UK with the intention of staying for longer than 6 months, or for any purpose that requires entry clearance under the immigration rules.

Non-visa required nationals coming to the UK as temporary visitors, i.e. for tourism, also technically require entry clearance when arriving at the border and can be granted clearance upon presenting a valid passport or travel document.

Stateless persons or those travelling with a document other than a national passport also require entry clearance.

What documents prove entry clearance into the UK?

Proof of entry clearance can be evidenced by a physical sticker or ‘vignette’ placed in your passport. This will contain information such as the length of your stay, the conditions of your stay and and any restrictions.

If you have not been granted entry clearance through a sticker in your passport and through electronic means, you only need to present your passport at the border and the border force officer will verify your valid entry clearance by scanning your passport.

What is the difference between entry clearance and a UK visa?

The terms entry clearance and visa can sometimes be used interchangeably.

In essence, all UK visas can be considered a valid form of entry clearance, but entry clearance can also encompass other documents or forms of clearance to enter the UK, such as entry certificates or proof of permanent residency in the UK.

How do I apply for immigration clearance?

The application for Immigration Clearance can be very time-consuming. It is a strict process involving accurate detail in the application form, as well as the relevant fee and documents which vary depending on which visa you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a Work Permit Entry Clearance, you will need to include a valid Work Permit document in your application.

Due to the fees which are incurred with the application, you need to ensure that you fill everything in, correctly. It is an especially lengthy process if errors are made at this stage of Entry Clearance.

The main documents you will need to provide with an application for Entry Clearance are:

• your passport;
• travel documents;
• documents relating to your immigration history;
• documents relating to your identity (for example your Birth Certificate); and
• a small passport photograph.

Having the correct documents is very important when making any immigration application, as these documents provide evidence of your suitability to stay in the UK.

If you do not provide the proper documents to support your application, it may be subjected to a Burden of Proof and refused.

How can IAS help?

We have a team of immigration experts who are the best in their field and are ready to offer you accurate and comprehensive Entry Clearance advice. One of our highly-equipped lawyers can work with you to individually assess your options and find the best form of Entry Clearance for you.

We can help you find the right UK visa for you and guide you through each step of your application. One of our lawyers will assess your eligibility and perform an extensive document check. He/she will also prepare a full Letter of Representation to accompany your application. This letter will detail your case, its merits and any UK immigration laws relevant to your application. Your lawyer will also complete your application form to the highest standard.

You can get in touch with our specialist London, Manchester, or Birmingham immigration lawyers, or use the office finder to find the closest branch to you. Alternatively, you can use our online contact form or by calling +44 (0)333 414 9244 to speak with an immigration lawyer now. Or, see our FAQs below for more information.