Breaking Down The UK Visa Requirements For Work, Study & Tourism

The following persons are required to obtain entry clearance in advance of travel to the UK:

• a visa national (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-visitor-visa-national-list);
• a non-visa national (not a British or Irish national) who is seeking entry to the UK for any purpose, other than as a visitor, short-term student or creative worker seeking entry for three months or less; and
• a British national such as a British National (Overseas) without the right of abode who is seeking entry for a purpose for which prior entry clearance is required.

A person who requires entry clearance must on arrival in the UK either:

• produce to a Border Force Officer a valid passport or other identity document endorsed with a United Kingdom entry clearance 'vignette', issued to them for the purpose for which they seek entry, which must be valid; or