UK Entry Clearance

We can advise you on your options to gain UK Entry Clearance with our Advice Package.

Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 for immediate help & assistance with your situation. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone or online.

Call Us

Read our 1983 reviews

Request a call back from our immigration experts

Benefits of Choosing IAS’ Immigration Lawyers

At IAS, we understand that every case and client is unique, so we provide bespoke assessment and support to each client. With us, you get a dedicated immigration lawyer who is dedicated to ensuring your application is successful. Enjoy the following benefits with IAS:

Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

A personalised Letter of Representation to help compile a compelling case for approval

Continued support from your lawyer in the event of any complications.

Services we Provide

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.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

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.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents will appear here.

Get clear, professional guidance for your immigration case.

Written by Immigration Advice Service

Ono Okeregha

Director – Immigration Advice Service

Ono Okeregha is the director of the Immigration Advice Service. He is a committed human rights and immigration lawyer. He was awarded the IoD North West SME of the year award and commended for his work in equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visas are for people – referred to as “visa nationals”, whose country of origin is a “visa national country”.

You can find a long list of visa national countries under Appendix A of the Immigration Rules. There are many different categories of UK visas available including Partner and Family Visas, Tourist or Visitor Visas, Worker and Student Visas, with many applications falling under the five-tier points-based system (Tier 1 Visas through to Tier 5) which forms the backbone of the UK Immigration regime.

These certificates are for people referred to as non-visa nationals. These are nationals of a specific list of non-visa national countries including the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

An EEA Family Permit is for family members of EEA (European Economic Area) nationals or Swiss nationals.

An exempt vignette is for people such as diplomats, who are exempt from the requirements of the Immigration Act 1971.

You will not need a visa if you hold a passport issued by the UK or any other country in the EEA or Switzerland. If you are a visa national you will need a visa before you come to the UK. If you are a non-visa national you:

might not need a visa if you want to come to the UK for up to six months; and
you will need a visa if you want to come here for more than six months.

If you are a non-European foreign national and simply want to transit through the UK on your way to another country you may not need a visa. If you arrive on a flight and depart on another flight without passing through immigration control, also known as transit airside, you do not need a visa.

You can also transit landside without a visa if you arrive on a flight, pass through immigration control but only remain in the UK for 24 hours (under the transit without visa concession). If you remain for 48 hours you will need a Visitor In-Transit Visa unless you are a non-visa national or hold a travel document issued by the UK government.

For more about the Visitor in Transit Visa

Here at IAS, we can assist with all applications for Entry Clearance to the UK, including any issues arising from a refusal to gain entry.

We understand the stress this can cause as well as how daunting it may seem, so we want to simplify this process for you.

One of our lawyers will work with you to:

assess your eligibility for Entry Clearance;
assess whether you need a UK sponsor and make arrangements for this if so;
perform a full document check to ensure that they are sufficient;
liaise with you in person, via phone or Skype at a time that suits you;
prepare a Letter of Representation to accompany your application. This letter details your case and its merits as well as referencing any UK immigration regulations which support your application for Entry Clearance;
liaise with the Home Office during your application process;
complete each part of your application form to the best standard.

What our clients are saying

Immigration Advice Service4.7

Based on 1984 reviews

Nesrine Shalabi

22 hours ago

My residency was renewed promptly and without glitches.

Stephanie Shoemaker

2 days ago

My experience with IAS has been fabulous so far Laura Christian was very helpful in taking the time to research what my options were based on my needs and wants can’t recommend her enough

Man Chung CHAU

3 days ago

Staff are nice, solicitors are reliable and helpful.

Tawanda Matonga

5 days ago

I spoke with Saima Jabeen about the areas where I needed assistance. She was very helpful and provided me with clear and useful information. I was satisfied with the support and guidance she provided.

Nicholas Peasgood

7 days ago

Very positive professional experience. My immigration advisor Mariam Adebayo helped my wife successfully obtain her Spouse visa extension. At the very start we had a face to face meeting at their Oldham office to discuss our needs, explain the process and what evidence we would need. We later received a written confirmation of advice laying out everything from timeframes, fees and documentation needed. Through out we had video calls and regular emails for updates and when our input was needed, Mariam even uploaded all of the extensive evidence as part of the application process which I was very happy with as I know from my own experience this can take a while. I would definitely use IAS again, don't be fooled in to opting for cheaper options, I came to IAS after a poor experience with a different company and so came back as I'd had a good experience with IAS way back in the 90's so know that they have been around for a years. Thank you IAS Oldham and Mariam Adebayo.

Fatima Babar

7 days ago

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Abdul Mutee for everything he has done throughout my visa process. The past year was incredibly stressful, especially after facing two Canada visa refusals. During this difficult time, Abdul Mutee did not simply provide guidance; he actively worked on my case and supported me every step of the way when I felt overwhelmed and uncertain about my future. Thanks to his dedication, hard work, and continuous support, my UK visa has now been approved. This approval allows me to continue my education and pursue my dream of becoming a dentist. I truly believe that this achievement would not have been possible without his assistance and commitment. Abdul Mutee played a significant role in making this outcome possible, and I am deeply thankful for the relief, hope, and opportunity he has given me. His efforts have made a lasting impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for everything he has done. I will never forget the support, encouragement, and professionalism he showed throughout this journey. Abdul Mutee's help has made a real difference in my future, and I sincerely appreciate all of his hard work and dedication.

Elizabeth chuks

7 days ago

I had a great experience with Anna Claridge. She was professional, friendly and very helpful throughout our consultation. She explained everything clearly, answered all our questions and made sure we understood the options available to us. I really appreciate her support.

Sami Abdi

1 week ago

I would like to say a huge thank you to Lauren Blommel for all her help and support with my case. She has been absolutely amazing from start to finish. Lauren was very kind, professional and patient. She explained everything clearly and always made sure I understood what was happening. She worked very hard on my case and did everything she could to help me. I am extremely grateful for everything Lauren has done for me. I am very happy with the service I received and would definitely recommend Lauren to anyone who needs immigration advice and support. Thank you so much, Lauren, for everything. I truly appreciate all your hard work and support. I wish you all the best for the future!

Norrian

1 week ago

We like to express our deepest thanks to Saimah Razzap. She helped us through our immigration matter with total professionalism; she took the time to explain every step clearly, returned our calls and emails promptly when we contacted her, and, with this, we ultimately won our first case with a great outcome. We felt supported the entire time, and we highly recommend her services.

Anna Downie

1 week ago

I would highly recommend Jason Griffiths, he was incredibly understanding of our situation and had very constructive ideas.

Lee Mcpherson

1 week ago

Great service! efficient, quick and available to answer any queries! Our application went seamlessly.. I would highly recommend!

Claudia T

1 week ago

I used IAS for my first visa and I must say it wasn't a pleasant experience. We didn't receive all the information, we would find out about things along the way and it made it all very stressful even though the application was successful. We were a bit reluctant to do it again for the renewal but went for it anyway due to lack of time. Anne Liu was out caseworker and she was terrific! Super on top of the case! She would review the docs very quickly after we submitted it and would immediately tell us what would be missing. She made herself available when we needed her all the way up to the appointment. Definitely made the experience more stress free!

yu zheng

2 weeks ago

Alice Jackson

2 weeks ago

Anne has been nothing short of exceptional throughout mine and my husbands immigration query. From the very start, she was informative, diligent, understanding, compassionate and helpful. Any immigration matter is delicate and stressful for those involved and Anne met us with patience and kindness throughout, keeping us well informed and calm when everything felt tricky. We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better advisor and we are so grateful for everything that she did for us to get my husbands spousal visa approved. Her dedication and commitment proved enormously valuable and I will be welcoming my husband home tomorrow because of her. Without a doubt we will use her again in 2029 when required and we cannot recommend her enough for anyone going through a similar matter. Thank you Anne, from the bottom of our hearts, we will always appreciate you and remember your engagement fondly.

Roger Hall

2 weeks ago

Everybody at IAS has been professional and helpful. In particular my case worker, Elena Ampova simply could not have been more patient, friendly and approachable and knowledgeable. Nina and I found it difficult to supply information in the file formats required and Elena spent hours helping us. And the end result has been that my fiancée, Nina's visa application has been approved. Perfect service and a perfect result.

Julian Everett

2 weeks ago

Dina's explanations were clear and she took time to make sure we understood. The only small worry we now have is that there may be hidden fees which were not specified. However, I'm just checking that through an email.

Chaimae Dr

2 weeks ago

I received excellent advice from Safa Ali. She was patient, thorough, and took the time to make sure I understood everything. Highly recommended for anyone going through the asylum process.

Siraw KEBEDE

3 weeks ago

I have had amazing results in a short period of time with Lauren Blommel at Immigration Advice Services. She was very professional and supportive every step of the way, always answering my questions and addressing my concerns quickly. I am very happy with the service I received and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for immigration assistance.

Lili Ayele

3 weeks ago

I am extremely grateful for the excellent support and professional service I received from Immigration Advice Service, especially from my caseworker, Lauren Blommel. Lauren supported me throughout my asylum case and kept me informed and reassured during what was a very difficult and stressful process. Thanks to her professionalism, dedication, patience, and hard work, my case was handled with great care and I successfully received my refugee status. I truly appreciate everything Lauren has done for me and all the support she provided from beginning to end. I highly recommend Immigration Advice Service to anyone who needs immigration support. Thank you so much, Lauren, for your outstanding service and for helping me through such an important journey in my life. I will always be grateful.

Othman Khunji

3 weeks ago

I cannot recommend Mariam Adebayo at IAS highly enough. She supported me thoroughly from A–Z throughout my UK Global Talent Visa journey, ultimately helping me successfully obtain my visa through the Exceptional Talent route. From the very beginning, Mariam was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, patient, and attentive. She guided me through every stage of the process with clarity and reassurance, always making sure that my application was as strong and comprehensive as possible. What stood out most was how consistently she went above and beyond her dedication, responsiveness, and genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for me were evident throughout the entire journey. Thanks to Mariam’s exceptional support and hard work, I now have the incredible opportunity to continue developing and practicing my talent in the UK. This is a truly significant milestone in my professional and creative journey, and I am extremely grateful for the role she played in making it possible. Mariam is an outstanding caseworker and a true asset to IAS. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking immigration support, particularly those applying through the UK Global Talent route. Thank you, Mariam, for your dedication, guidance, and for helping turn this opportunity into a reality.

Roy Williams

3 weeks ago

Re: Kurshida Begum My wife and I cannot thank our immigration lawyer, Kurshida Begum enough for the professional help and support she gave us to obtain a successful outcome to my wife’s application for her extension visa. I would have no hesitation in recommending her services to anyone seeking help on immigration matters.

Scott Graham

3 weeks ago

Daniel Lugo Pino

3 weeks ago

Saima Maqsood was super helpful in my father's visitor visa application. Very communicative and supportive - we had low odds of a favourable outcome and yet with her guidance we were able to succeed.

Virginie

4 weeks ago

I had a good exchange with Saima Jabeen, she helped me and it was useful.

Peter Welch

4 weeks ago

My case worker Mariam Adebayo guided my fiancee, a Belarusian national and me on what documentation and translations were required and checked through everything at every stage. She then made the application on our behalf for a fiancee visa. The application was 100% successful with no other documentation required or any queries raised by UKVI. Mariam further assisted in getting our spouse visa after our marriage in May 2026. Again 100% successful. Mariam has been extremely thorough in every part of our fiancee and spouse visa. Everything went through without a hitch! I have no hesitation in recommending her. Peter and Teresa Welch.

We are the UK’s leading immigration specialists

IAA Accredited UK Immigration lawyers

We’ve had over 25,000 applications approved

We are open Mon–Fri, 8:30am–8pm & Sat–Sun, 10am–4pm.

How our UK Immigration Lawyers can help

At the Immigration Advice Service our lawyers specialise in a wide range of UK visas, nationality and asylum applications and have represented clients in various successful complex and high-profile cases.