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


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.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.
Contact us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or make an enquiry online for Entry Clearance Advice which is tailored to you.


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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.