Entry Clearance Guidance

These pages contain copies of instructions used by visa staff on the handling of entry clearance and visa applications made outside the United Kingdom (UK). The documents have been published here in accordance with the principles of openness in the White Paper of Freedom of Information, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and previous Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Please note that these are live documents and are constantly being reviewed and amended. The documents are for information only and no guarantee can be given as to their accuracy. In particular, it should be noted that the documents are guidance instructions and cannot be relied upon to determine the outcome of an individual application, which will be considered on its own facts.

Using the Entry Clearance Guidance web pages

The easiest way to navigate through the guidance is to use the 'You are here:' navigation path at the top of each page.

Most pages start with a full list of paragraph names highlighting content available within the guidance page. Within the guidance content you will also find internal links to other pages within this website or links to external websites, which open in a new browser window. Links to further information relevant to the guidance you are reading are listed on the right hand side of most pages including links to relevant documents.

Entry Clearance Guidance Index

Entry Clearance Basics (ECB)

Right of Abode (ROA)

Exempt (EXM)

Maintenance & Accommodation (MAA)

Medical Issues (MED)
Chapter 24 - Medical issues

Common Travel Area (CTA)

European Nationals & Schemes (EUN)

Visit & Transit (VAT)

Crew Members (CRM)

Study (STY)
Chapter 12 - Entry for studies
From 31 March 2009, students intending to study in the UK will have to apply for their visa under Tier 4 of the new Points Based System. Further information is available on our Tier 4 of the Points Based System - Policy Guidance. The guidance in Chapter 12 is to be used only for applications made on or before 30 March 2009 under Part 3 of the Immigration Rules.

Work (WRK)
Chapter 17 - Entry for employment: work permit contains guidance for work permit applications. From 27 November 2008 sponsored skilled workers with a job offer must apply under Tier 2 or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) of the Points Based System. Posts will continue to receive applications form work permit holders after this date.
Chapter 18 - Entry for non-PBS employment routes contains guidance for non-work permit employment. Some of these categories, which are highlighted in the chapter 18 index, will be closed to new applicants from 27 November 2008 and replaced by Tier 1(General) for Highly Skilled Workers, the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) or the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) of the Points Based System.