Entry clearance is permission to come to the UK that some people must obtain before they travel. Under the Immigration Rules it takes the form of a visa or an entry certificate, which may be electronic. If it states the purpose and conditions of the stay, it has effect as leave to enter.
Key points
- Visa nationals, and non-visa nationals coming for any purpose other than a visit of 6 months or less, must get entry clearance before they travel.
- You must be outside the UK and the Islands when you apply for entry clearance.
- Entry clearance takes the form of a visa or an entry certificate. Either may be issued in electronic form, which is now an eVisa.
- Entry clearance that states its purpose and conditions has effect as leave to enter, so you do not need separate leave on arrival.
- An immigration officer may cancel entry clearance if you arrive before it takes effect or enter for a different purpose than the one it states.
How entry clearance works
Entry clearance is the permission some people must have before they set off for the UK. Paragraph 24 of the Immigration Rules says three groups must obtain it in advance:
- a visa national
- a non-visa national, who is not a British or Irish national, coming for any purpose other than as a visitor for 6 months or less
- a British national without the right of abode, coming for a purpose for which the Rules require entry clearance
Anyone else who wants to know in advance whether they can be admitted may also apply for entry clearance.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
Entry clearance takes the form of a visa for visa nationals or an entry certificate for non-visa nationals. Either can be issued in electronic form.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK Today a successful visa application gives you an eVisa. UK Visas and Immigration stopped issuing visa vignettes (stickers) to successful new applicants on 1 July 2026.[4]Home Office, Updates on the move to eVisas Our page on the visa vignette explains the older sticker.
An application for entry clearance is considered under the same Rules that govern the grant or refusal of leave to enter. The decision maker is an Entry Clearance Officer instead of an Immigration Officer.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
Rules for applying
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Where you apply from | You must be outside the UK and the Islands when you apply. A visitor or short-term student application can be made to any designated post. Other applications are made to a designated post in the country where you live |
| When the application counts | It is not made until any required fee has been paid |
| What the decision is based on | The circumstances at the time of the decision |
These come from paragraphs 26 to 30 of the Rules.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK Paragraph 27 adds that an applicant in some family categories will not be refused solely because they turn 18 between applying and the decision.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
The GOV.UK guide for people applying to come to the UK sets out the practical steps. You check if you need a visa, prepare your evidence, apply online, give your fingerprints and photograph (your biometrics) and receive a decision. It usually takes between 3 and 12 weeks to get a decision. You should not book travel until you have a decision.[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK
The earliest you can apply is usually 3 months before your planned travel date for visit visas, 3 months before your employment start date for most work visas and 6 months before your course start date for Student and Child Student visas.[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK Settlement applications take up to 6 months and must be approved before you come to the UK. If you are given permission to settle, you must travel before your permission ends.[3]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Applying online and getting a decision
How it becomes leave to enter
An entry clearance that meets article 3 of the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000 has effect as leave to enter. It must state the purpose for which the holder will enter, and be endorsed with its conditions or with a statement that it has effect as indefinite leave to enter. The holder does not then need to apply for leave to enter on arrival.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
On arrival you must produce a valid passport or other identity document endorsed with your entry clearance. Where your entry clearance is in electronic form (an eVisa), you must produce a valid passport or other identity document.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK If you require entry clearance and cannot meet this requirement, you must not be granted leave to enter on arrival.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
Before you travel you need to sign in to your UKVI account to view your eVisa and check your permission. If you are issued a form for accompanying an eVisa, you will usually collect it at the visa application centre.[4]Home Office, Updates on the move to eVisas
An Immigration Officer may cancel entry clearance if the holder arrives before the day it becomes effective, or if they seek to enter for a purpose other than the one stated in it.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
The Rules use “leave to enter” and “permission to enter” for the same thing.[5]Home Office, Immigration Rules: introduction
Example
Rosa is a visa national and has a job offer. Her employer gives her a certificate of sponsorship with a start date in 5 months. She cannot apply yet, because the earliest she can apply for most work visas is 3 months before the start date. When she can, she applies online and attends a biometrics appointment. Several weeks later she gets her decision. She does not buy a flight until then.
Her entry clearance is an eVisa. Before she flies, she signs in to her UKVI account and checks it. On arrival she shows her passport. The entry clearance has effect as leave to enter, so she does not apply for leave at the border.
What people get wrong
People book flights before their entry clearance is decided. GOV.UK says you should not book your travel until you get a decision, and that UK Visas and Immigration will not reimburse travel costs if your application is refused or takes longer than expected.
That is the advice in the GOV.UK guide to applying.[2]Home Office, How to apply for a visa to come to the UK
A second mistake is arriving before the date the entry clearance starts. The Rules allow an Immigration Officer to cancel entry clearance if the holder arrives before the day it becomes effective.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK A third is using the entry clearance for a different purpose from the one it states. That can also lead to cancellation.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
The bottom line
Entry clearance is the permission you get before you travel, if the Immigration Rules require it. It must be applied for from outside the UK. When it states its purpose and conditions, it works as leave to enter on arrival. Apply early enough, wait for the decision before booking travel, and check your eVisa before you fly.
Common questions
Nearly. The Immigration Rules say entry clearance takes the form of a visa for visa nationals or an entry certificate for non-visa nationals. Both can be issued in electronic form. Entry clearance is the wider term for the permission.
Visa nationals, non-visa nationals coming for any purpose other than a visit of 6 months or less, and British nationals without the right of abode who come for a purpose that needs it. Others may apply to find out if they qualify.
No. The Immigration Rules say an applicant for entry clearance must be outside the UK and the Islands when they apply. From inside the UK you apply for permission to stay instead.
No. A national of a country listed in the electronic travel authorisation rules must get an ETA before travel unless they have entry clearance. Depending on your nationality and reason for coming, an ETA may be an alternative to a visa.
Sources
We cite the Immigration Rules, legislation and GOV.UK guidance directly. Rules change, so each source shows the date we last checked it.
- Home Office. Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. How to apply for a visa to come to the UK. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Applying online and getting a decision. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Updates on the move to eVisas. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Immigration Rules: introduction. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩