A visa is adocument which is an indication that a person is authorized to enter the country that issued the visa, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization more commonly is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport. Some countries do not require a visa in some situations only. The country issuing the visa typically attaches various conditions (terms and policies) to the visa, such as the time that the visa is valid, the period that the person may stay in the country, whether the visa is valid for more than one visit, etc. The possession of a visa is not in itself a guarantee of entry into the country that issued it, and a visa can be revoked at any time. A visa does not generally give a person any rights beyond the right to enter a country and remain there. Anything beyond those basic entitlements requires special permits, such as a residency permit or work permit. How to apply.
As far as in the case of the UK, visa nationals are those who require a visa for every entry to the UK, though some may be able to “Transit Without Visa”.
Transiting to the Republic of Ireland
Passengers must pass through immigration control in order to take a flight to Ireland. Visa nationals may ‘Transit’ without visa providing they fulfill the terms and conditions and are properly documented for entry into Ireland. DATV (Direct Airside Transit Visa) nationals transiting to Ireland must obtain a visit visa. All visa nationals wishing to transit the UK but spend longer doing so than the 24 hours permitted under the terms & conditions concession must obtain a visitor in transit visa for stays up to 48 hours or a visit visa. The complete list of countries is given here.
Commonwealth countries
UK entry clearance issuing posts in non-Commonwealth countries - with the exception of those in Antananarivo in Madagascar, Reykjavik in Iceland and Libreville in Gabon - issue visas on behalf of most independent “Commonwealth countries” that do not have representation in that country.
There are, however, several exceptions to this and you should contact either a representative of the Commonwealth country that you intend to visit.
Entry into Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have their own immigration laws and policies, but UK visa offices also issue visas for these islands. Guernsey Immigration authorities also act for Herm, Sark and Alderney. Contact your nearest visa application centre for information about these Islands’ visa requirements.
LatestNews
UK Government will now require nationals of the following countries to obtain a UK visa prior to travelling to the UK: Bolivia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Venezuela. The UK Government's decision to include the above countries to its visa national list is part of its action to 'tighten border security' which includes: fingerprint visas, an electronic UK border system and ensuring that foreign nationals obtain identity cards.
This follows the UK Governments first global review of who will require a visa to enter the UK and, interestingly, followed a review of all non-European countries and regions to evaluate the risk citizens of these countries and regions have on the UK in terms of illegal immigration, crime and security. How to apply.
Your visa to UK
