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United Kingdom Entry Rules

🇬🇧 United KingdomEntry Rules3 recorded versionsLast change 24 Aug 2026

ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa allows government officials to enter the UK with a head of state or a serving government minister on an official visit. There is a limit on the number of delegates: up to 20 people with a head of state, and up to 10 people with a government minister. These limits can be combined if more than one eligible official is travelling (e.g., 30 delegates for a head of state and a government minister travelling together). The visa allows a single entry for the duration of the official visit (up to 1 month), plus 3 extra days before and after travel. Applicants must be 18 or over, a serving government official, and have a Note Verbale from their government confirming details and supporting the application. The application must be approved before travel. A digital record of exemption can be applied for, though not mandatory, to show exempt status to carriers. The application process is online, requires a passport-sized photo, and submission of the original passport and Note Verbale at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in person. The visa is free, and decisions are aimed to be provided within 15 working days. The visa cannot be used for settlement, bringing dependents, studying, working, or switching to another visa route.

Overview

The Home Office announced a revised ETA fee and clarified that airside transit passengers at listed airports remain outside the requirement, following carrier consultation.

Who is affected by the latest change

Government officials travelling to the UK with a head of state or a serving government minister for an official visit

What changed in the latest version

Before

Before, the rules for the VIP Delegate visa said that decisions would be made more quickly. The visa itself was already available. It was for eligible government officials travelling with a head of state or a serving government minister on an official visit.

After

The Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa lets government officials enter the UK. They must be travelling with a head of state or a serving government minister on an official visit. There is a limit on the number of delegates. Up to 20 people can come with a head of state. Up to 10 people can come with a government minister. These limits can be combined. For example, 30 delegates can come if a head of state and a government minister travel together. The visa allows a single entry. You can stay for the length of the official visit, up to one month. You also get 3 extra days before and after your travel. Applicants must be 18 or older. They must be a serving government official. They must have a Note Verbale from their government. A Note Verbale is a formal written message from one government to another. It confirms their details and supports the application. The UK must approve the application before you travel. You can apply for a digital record of exemption. This is not compulsory. It helps you show your exempt status to travel companies. You must apply online. You need a passport-sized photo. You must hand in your original passport and the Note Verbale in person. You do this at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). A Visa Application Centre is an office where you submit your visa application and provide biometric information. The visa is free. Decisions are usually made within 15 working days. You cannot use this visa to settle in the UK. You cannot use it to bring family members. You cannot use it to study or work. You cannot use it to switch to another visa route.

This guidance makes the specific rules clearer. It also clarifies the limits for government officials coming with high-ranking officials to the UK. Delegations must follow strict limits on numbers. These limits are now clearly defined for both single visits and combined visits. You must get a pre-approved visa. You must also hand in documents in person. This means careful planning is essential. Your sending government must coordinate with you. This includes getting a Note Verbale. A Note Verbale is a formal written message from one government to another. You must do this before you travel. You can get an optional digital record of exemption. This is not compulsory. But it is a very important tool to stop possible travel problems. It helps make international official travel to the UK more efficient and certain. If you do not get the necessary approval or follow the process, you will not be allowed to enter the UK or board your transport.

Explained simply

Imagine you're part of a special team from your country, and your leader, like your President or a top minister, is going to visit the UK for official business. This new 'VIP Delegate visa' is like a special pass just for you. It lets you go with your leader to the UK for their important trip, plus a few extra days around it. You can't stay forever, bring your family, or get a job there with this pass. Your government needs to write a special letter, a 'Note Verbale,' explaining who you are and why you're going. It's free and helps make sure you can get into the UK without any trouble for your official duties.

Frequently asked

Version history

v4Effective 14 Nov 2025EffectiveHigh impact
UK Updates VIP Delegate Visa Processing Time and Application Requirements
The UK has set out rules for the Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa. This visa is for government officials who travel with a head of state or a serving government minister on official visits. It allows one entry into the UK. You can stay for the length of the official visit, up to one month, plus three extra days for travel. There are limits on how many delegates can come. Up to 20 people can travel with a head of state. Up to 10 people can travel with a government minister. If both officials travel together, up to 30 people can come. Applicants must be 18 or older. They must be serving government officials. They need a Note Verbale from their government. A Note Verbale is a formal written message from one government to another. It confirms details and supports the application. Applicants must apply online. They must hand in documents in person at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). A Visa Application Centre is an office where you submit your visa application and provide biometric information. The application is free. The UK expects to make a decision within 15 working days.
v2Effective 8 Jul 2026AnnouncementMedium impact
More children eligible for eGates in boost for families this summer
The United Kingdom (UK) will let children aged 8 and 9 use eGates. This starts on 8 July 2026. These children must be at least 120cm tall. An adult must be with them. This change helps families pass through the border faster. About 1.5 million more children will be able to use eGates each year.
v1Effective 25 Feb 2026EffectiveCritical impact
UK enforces digital permission to travel
From 25 February, people from countries that do not need a visa to enter the UK must have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. This includes people from the US, Canada, and France. Airlines will not let passengers board a plane without an ETA, an eVisa, or other valid travel papers. An ETA costs £16. It lets you make many trips. It is good for 2 years or until your passport runs out, whichever comes first. British citizens and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. But they must show a valid passport or a Certificate of Entitlement. The UK will issue Certificates of Entitlement digitally from 26 February.

Timeline

Announced
14 Nov 2025
UK Visas and Immigration has introduced a new immigration instrument, the Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa, for government officials accompanying heads of state or serving government ministers on official visits to the UK. This visa is jurisdictionally applicable across the UK and became effective on 14 November 2025. It allows for a stay of up to one month plus travel days and has specif
Takes effect
14 Nov 2025
The Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa allows government officials to enter the UK with a head of state or a serving government minister on an official visit. There is a limit on the number of delegates: up to 20 people with a head of state, and up to 10 people with a government minister. These limits can be combined if more than one eligible official is travelling (e.g., 30 delegates for a

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