People from certain countries, known as visa nationals, need an entry clearance to enter the UK for any reason; those from other countries need one only for some reasons: for example, to live as the wife or husband of a British Citizen.

Entry clearance is the formal term to describe the application process for visa nationals who wish to travel to the United Kingdom and for non visa nationals who intend a longer stay or to settle in the UK. The entry clearance certificate, more commonly called a visa, is placed in your passport or travel document.

The job of an entry clearance officer at a British mission overseas is to decide if you qualify for entry before you travel to the United Kingdom. Entry clearance officers work to strict rules and procedures. Go to the Immigration Rules and Diplomatic Service Procedures - Entry Clearance for further information.

If you have a valid UK visa, you will not normally be refused entry to the UK on arrival unless your circumstances have changed, you gave false information, or you did not tell the entry clearance officer important facts when you applied for your visa.

The visa tells the immigration officer at a UK port of arrival:

the purpose of your travel;

how long you can stay in the UK; and

the latest date that you can enter the UK. Normally, you may enter and leave the UK as many times as you like during the validity of your visa.