Immigration
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General Information
Entry clearance
Leave to enter
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Visa nationals
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Business Immigration
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Personal Immigration
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Leave to enter

Unless you are a British Citizen, a person with the right of abode in the United Kingdom, or are specifically exempted from the United Kingdom's immigration control, you require leave to enter.
Leave to enter is the applicant's initial permission to enter the United Kingdom. Until recently, it was granted by Immigration Officers at the port of arrival. The leave and any conditions regarding the stay were endorsed in the holder's passport. The main conditions imposed are the duration of the stay and any restrictions or prohibitions on employment.
The recent changes are designed to speed up the admission of genuine travelers and leave to enter may now be granted at the same time as obtaining entry clearance. Further, the leave may now be granted electronically or verbally.
It is important to know how and when leave to enter was granted. If you do not have this information, it will be difficult to extend or vary the leave at a later date. The immigration authorities do not keep a full record of everyone arriving and departing from the United Kingdom. If you claim that you have leave, you must be able to substantiate the claim. A record of arrivals and departures supported by tickets or other documentation will also enable you to prove continuous residence if you apply for settlement (permanent residence) or naturalisation in the future.
If you have a specific question regarding leave to enter the United Kingdom, please email general@visalondon.com or use our general enquiry form.

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