Applying from overseas

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

In many cases, nationals of countries other than the UK and Ireland are required to obtain prior permission under the Immigration Rules before they can travel to the UK. This prior permission is often issued in the form of an entry clearance, which can be issued as a vignette (stamp) in a passport, or in some cases as a digital eVisa. The Home Office is also rolling out a separate system of prior permission to travel for visits and short-term stays for Creative Workers by those who require leave to enter but do not require to obtain prior entry clearance (ie non-visa nationals who require leave to enter). This is in the form of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). See: Permission to travel to the UK—overview.

For details of the ETA scheme, and how to make an application, see Practice Note: The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.

Entry clearance should be applied for either in the applicant's home country or another country in which they are lawfully resident, although there are some exceptions to this general rule including applications for an EU Settlement Scheme

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Immigration News

UKICE blog asserts that Reform UK’s ILR abolition proposal faces public opposition

UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) has published a blog by Rob Ford, Senior Fellow, UKICE and Professor of Politics,  University of Manchester arguing that Reform UK’s proposal to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and require migrants to reapply for visas every five years runs contrary to public opinion and risks a public outcry.  The blog explains that ILR is generally obtained after years of work or family sponsorship, at which point migrants gain the same rights to welfare benefits as UK citizens rights, and it is these rights Reform UK seeks to restrict. The blog asserts that Reform UK’s proposed exclusion of migrants from ILR and welfare benefits would be an unpopular policy. In support of this, Ford points to NatCen panel data from early 2024 which found that 84% of respondents supported giving tax-paying migrants equal welfare access within five years, with 65% favouring an even shorter three-year period and only 3% supporting permanent exclusion. The blog also highlights a survey by British Social Attitudes which compares 2013 and 2024 views on qualification periods for welfare access. The survey results show an increase in support of a qualification period of five years or less for migrants from 82% in 2013 to 84% in 2024.  The data provided, Ford argues, shows that despite over a decade of campaigning for a stricter migration policy, public opinion on access to welfare benefits for settled migrants remains consistent. Ford notes that while no polling exists on revoking rights already granted, Reform UK’s proposal to end ILR and revoke the welfare and security rights of settled migrants would likely be even more unpopular. Ford concludes that public opinion consistently values migrants’ economic contributions and supports fair access once settlement conditions are met.

The new digital ID scheme

Immigration analysis: The Prime Minister has announced the introduction of a digital identity scheme to be rolled out across the UK. Framed as both an immigration control measure and an administrative reform, the Prime Minister stated that the new system will underpin right to work checks and deliver more efficient access to public services, while simultaneously curbing opportunities for those present in the country unlawfully to enter the labour market. However, critics note that there is already a stringent right to work regime in place, which was recently made digital for overseas nationals, and raise other concerns, eg relating to digital literacy, privacy, function overreach and risk of hacking.

Public First report warns that levy on international student fees could reduce university enrolments and income

Public First has published a report following the Home Office’s May 2025 Immigration White Paper which proposed introducing a 6% flat levy on all international fee income to be reinvested into the higher education and skills system. The white paper estimated the impact of this price rise using London Economics estimate of price elasticity of demand from 2021, assuming non-EU students in 2025 have the same price sensitivity as EU students in 2021. Public First’s report extends and updates this modelling and provides updated assessments as of 2025, focusing on non-EU student demand, who now represent 90% of international enrolments, and provides a more accurate assessment of the likely consequences.

Elliott and Murray defend classical administrative law

The Public Law for Everyone blog, written by Mark Elliott, Professor of Public Law at the University of Cambridge, has published a blog by Professor Elliott, which summarises a recent paper he co-authored with Dr. Philip Murray.which This sets out a defence of the ‘classical account’ of administrative law, which holds that unlawful administrative acts are void from the outset (void ab intio) rather than merely voidable until struck down by a court. Although this issue seems technical in appearance, the authors argue that it goes to the heart of constitutional principle, since treating unlawful acts as valid until quashed undermines the rule of law by granting temporary legitimacy to exercises of state power without legal authority.

View Immigration by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Can an applicant have two applications pending with the Home Office at the same time, where one

Can an applicant have two applications pending with the Home Office at the same time, where one application has been made under the Immigration Rules, and the other under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016?An application for leave to remain in the UK under domestic Immigration

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit
Can an applicant have two applications pending with the Home Office at the same time, where one

Can an applicant have two applications pending with the Home Office at the same time, where one

Can an applicant have two applications pending with the Home Office at the same time, where one application has been made under the Immigration Rules, and the other under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016?An application for leave to remain in the UK under domestic Immigration

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit