UK Entry Clearance Guide

Entry clearance is the technical description for obtaining a UK visa.

This guide is divided into the sub categories:

1. UK Entry clearance for visitors
2. UK Entry clearance for work permit holders
3. UK Entry clearance for the dependants of work permit holders
4. UK Entry clearance for Sole Representatives, Investors, Entrepreneurs and their dependants

UK Entry clearance for visitors

If you wish to enter the UK as a visitor, either for business or pleasure, the first question to ask is: Do I need to get a visa in advance?.

Generally, most people travelling on passports issued by Western countries do not need to obtain a visa before entering the UK as a visitor – they can simply fly (or sail) to the UK and will be granted a visit visa at the port of entry. Nationals of the countries listed below (generally referred to as visa nationals); need to obtain a visa before travelling and should apply entry clearance at a British Embassy or Consulate in their country of citizenship or usual residence:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, People's Rep. of, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of, Congo, Republic of, Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (Dem. People's Rep), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia & Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vatican City (service & emergency passports only), Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

NB This list changes from time to time. Please confirm details with your local consulate before travelling.

In order to make a visa (entry clearance) application at a British Embassy or Consulate, you will need to present.

• Form VAF1 - download from the UK government website.
• 2 recent photographs (passport photo size).
• The relevant fee.
• Your Passport (which should be valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of entry).

UK Entry clearance for work permit holders.

If you wish to enter the UK as on a work permit for more than six months, you MUST apply for entry clearance. You only don't require entry clearance if you are a non-visa national and will be working in the UK for less than six months. Most every work permit holder will need to obtain a visa before travelling and should apply for entry clearance at a British Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or usual residence:

In order to make an entry clearance application at a British Embassy or Consulate, you will need to present.

• Form VAF1 - download from the UK government website.
• 2 recent photographs (passport photo size).
• The relevant fee.
• Your original work permit.
• Your Passport (which should be valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of entry)
• A letter from your employer confirming your appointment.
• A medical certificate.

UK Entry clearance for the dependants of work permit holders

If you are the spouse or dependent child of a work permit holder then you will also need to apply for entry clearance along with the principal applicant, if you intend to travel with them to the UK for more than six months. You will need to present the same completed form, photographs and fees as above, along with your passport at a British Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or usual residence. You will also need to provide evidence of your relationship to the main applicant, i.e. by providing a marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.

UK Entry clearance for Sole Representatives, Investors, Entrepreneurs and their dependants

If you intend to enter the UK as a Sole Representative, Investor or Entrepreneur then you need to apply for entry clearance at a British Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or usual residence. You will have to submit the following documents:

• Form VAF1 - download from the UK government website which you have filled in correctly. You can include any dependants under 16 years old, who are included in your passport and travelling with you, on your form. Older dependants should fill in separate forms.
• Your passport or travel document.
• Two recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photographs of yourself.
• The relevant visa fee.

Details of your investment portfolio showing that you intend to invest not less than £750, 000 of your capital in United Kingdom Government bonds or in share capital or loan capital in active and trading United Kingdom registered companies other than property companies.