LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS - Visa
What is a visa? (11/04/02)
If you are not a British Citizen or a citizen
of one the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, you may need an
entry clearance before you travel to the UK.
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 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.
To find out if you need an entry clearance,
go to Do I need a UK visa?
To get full information, go to UKvisas.