Leave to enter is the permission, under the Immigration Act 1971, that a person who is not a British citizen needs to come into the UK. It can be for a limited or an indefinite period and may have conditions. An immigration officer can give it on arrival, or entry clearance can have effect as leave to enter.
Key points
- Under the Immigration Act 1971 a person who is not a British citizen must not enter the UK unless given leave to do so.
- Leave to enter can be limited or indefinite. Limited leave can carry conditions, for example on work, study and public funds.
- Entry clearance that states its purpose and conditions has effect as leave to enter, so no separate leave is needed on arrival.
- The Immigration Rules also call it permission to enter. The two terms mean the same thing.
- Leave to enter will usually lapse if you go to a country outside the Common Travel Area, unless it was for over 6 months or came from entry clearance (other than a visit visa).
How leave to enter works
Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1971 sets the starting point. A person who is not a British citizen must not enter the UK unless given leave to do so. Leave to enter may be given for a limited or an indefinite period.[1]UK Parliament, Immigration Act 1971, section 3: General provisions for regulation and control
The Immigration Rules repeat this. They say a person who is neither a British citizen nor a Commonwealth citizen with the right of abode, nor entitled to enter or remain under section 3ZA of the 1971 Act, requires leave to enter.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK Section 3ZA covers Irish citizens, and the Rules say that, in general, they do not need leave to enter or remain.[3]Home Office, Immigration Rules: introduction
The Immigration Rules also use the words “permission to enter”. They say this has the same meaning as leave to enter.[3]Home Office, Immigration Rules: introduction
When you arrive, your identity document will be checked at the port or airport to make sure you are allowed into the country.[4]Home Office, Entering the UK You must produce a valid passport or other document that establishes your identity and nationality, and give any information the officer needs to decide whether you need leave and on what terms.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
How leave to enter is given
There are several routes to leave to enter.
| Route | What the Immigration Rules say |
|---|---|
| Entry clearance | An entry clearance that states the purpose of entry and its conditions has effect as leave to enter. The holder does not need leave on arrival |
| Leave on arrival | A person who is not a visa national, seeking leave on arrival for up to 6 months for a purpose that does not need prior entry clearance, may be granted up to 6 months |
| Indefinite leave | A person may be given indefinite leave to enter. See our page on indefinite leave to enter |
| Leave given from outside the UK | An immigration officer may give or refuse leave to enter to a person who is outside the UK, but is not obliged to consider an application from someone outside the UK |
All four rows come from Part 1 of the Immigration Rules.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK If you need entry clearance you must get it before travelling.
Time limits and conditions
Leave to enter can be for a limited period. When an immigration officer admits a person, he or she may give leave for a limited period and impose conditions. The Rules list conditions that restrict employment or occupation, require the person to support and accommodate themselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds, require registration with the police and restrict studies.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK Section 3 of the Act sets out a longer list. It also includes conditions to report to an immigration officer or the Secretary of State, and a condition about residence.[1]UK Parliament, Immigration Act 1971, section 3: General provisions for regulation and control
The time limit and conditions are made known to the person by written notice, or by endorsement in their passport or travel document, or in another manner the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000 permits.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK The Rules add that it is an offence knowingly to remain beyond the time limit or to fail to comply with a condition.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK See our page on no recourse to public funds for what that condition means.
When leave to enter ends or is cancelled
Leave to enter or remain will usually lapse when the holder goes to a country or territory outside the Common Travel Area. This does not happen where leave was given for a period of more than 6 months, or where it came from entry clearance other than a visit visa.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK The Common Travel Area is the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland. A person examined for immigration control when entering it does not normally need leave to enter any other part of it.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
If someone arrives with leave that is already in force, an immigration officer may cancel it or suspend it until an examination is completed. An immigration officer cannot refuse leave to enter or cancel leave on his or her own. The authority of a Chief Immigration Officer or an Immigration Inspector must be obtained.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK See our page on cancellation of leave.
Example
Dev is not a visa national. He wants to visit the UK for 3 months. A visit of 6 months or less does not need prior entry clearance, so an immigration officer may grant him leave to enter on arrival for up to 6 months. He has already got the electronic travel authorisation that applies to his nationality. He leaves the UK for a country outside the Common Travel Area after 4 weeks. His leave was for 6 months or less and did not come from entry clearance other than a visit visa, so it will usually lapse when he leaves.
Mina has an entry clearance as a Skilled Worker. It states the purpose of her entry and its conditions, so it has effect as leave to enter. She does not need to apply for leave at the border.
What people get wrong
People assume that a visa and leave to enter are separate things they must obtain one after the other. The Immigration Rules say that an entry clearance that states its purpose and conditions has effect as leave to enter, and the holder does not need leave on arrival.
That rule is in paragraph 25A of Part 1.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK
The second mistake is about leaving and returning. Leave that was for 6 months or less, and that did not come from entry clearance other than a visit visa, will usually lapse when you go outside the Common Travel Area.[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK You should not assume it will still be in force when you come back.
The bottom line
Leave to enter is the permission a non-British citizen needs to come into the UK. It comes from the Immigration Act 1971 and the Immigration Rules. It can be limited or indefinite, and it can carry conditions. For many people it arrives in advance as entry clearance. For others an immigration officer gives it on arrival. The Rules call it permission to enter as well.
Common questions
The Immigration Rules say a person who is neither a British citizen nor a Commonwealth citizen with the right of abode, nor entitled to enter under section 3ZA of the 1971 Act (which covers Irish citizens), requires leave to enter.
Yes. The Immigration Rules say permission to enter has the same meaning as leave to enter under the Immigration Act 1971.
Not if your entry clearance states the purpose of your stay and its conditions. The Immigration Rules say it then has effect as leave to enter, and you will be treated as arriving with leave that was given before arrival.
Yes. If you arrive with leave that is already in force, an immigration officer may cancel it. The authority of a Chief Immigration Officer or an Immigration Inspector must always be obtained.
Sources
We cite the Immigration Rules, legislation and GOV.UK guidance directly. Rules change, so each source shows the date we last checked it.
- UK Parliament. Immigration Act 1971, section 3: General provisions for regulation and control. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Immigration Rules part 1: leave to enter or stay in the UK. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Immigration Rules: introduction. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Entering the UK. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩