Question about Entry Clearance

Is entry clearance the same thing as a visa or is it something seperate? Will i need to get a visa AND entry clearance or is it the same thing?

Is entry clearance the same thing as a visa or is it something seperate? Will i need to get a visa AND entry clearance or is it the same thing?

Prior entry clearance is the equivalent to what you would get from the IO at passport control, I believe. Prior entry clearance is like a visitor's visa that you would normally get for the UK for 6 months, but you just apply for it beforehand from the US before you travel. It's basically an assurance that you'll get into the UK as a visitor instead of sorting it out with the IO at whatever airport you fly into (assuming you get approved for the prior entry visa, of course).

So If I had a passport and was planning a holiday for a week in England, what would I need? If I never went over as a visitor and only on a couple holidays before trying to get a fiance visa, would I ever need entry clearance?

I think people like to use prior entry clearance if they've ever been bounced from the UK before for whatever reason, or if they think that they might be bounced when they get there (i.e. they're staying for an extended period of time, and don't have a job or house or schooling to prove ties to the US, all of which would make an IO suspicious). Prior entry clearance can give some people assurances that they won't be bounced from the UK after making the flight out there, since it's all sorted out in the US, and if you're refused you don't waste a ticket and time traveling out only to get sent back again.

But, for only a week's holiday, I don't think you'd need prior entry clearance, as long as you're honest with the IO, have ties to the US, sufficient funds for your trip, and a return ticket. A week is a reasonable time to stay, and as long as you're honest with the IO about your intentions to see your fiance and you have something to prove you have ties to the US, they'll be more than likely to let you through. These holidays will eventually count towards your visa, since it's proof that you two have met before, which is important for fiance visas to establish a genuine relationship.

So, as long as you're honest, and you have the sort of stuff I mentioned, you *should* be okay. You'll be more likely to be bounced if it looks like you're trying to hide something, even if you're not intending to abuse the system and overstay a visa.

Ah thank you very much. I guess something to show ties to the US would be a letter from my job saying I was going on holiday?

Ah thank you very much. I guess something to show ties to the US would be a letter from my job saying I was going on holiday?

Most definitely, that would work. Just something from your boss or whoever saying that they expect you back at work by a certain date works well

Awesome, thank you for all your help!

No worries, I wish I had known about these forums when I first started traveling to the UK I think you'll do just fine, and you'll absolutely love England I think

I'm so glad to have found these forums, it's a big relief for me! From what I've read so far I'm sure you're right- I love England and especially because Lynsey(ukgirl) will be there. 

Hehe, yeah, it makes the 6-7 hour flight across the ocean totally worth it, especially when you have someone waiting for you--my fiance always waits right beyond passport control and customs, and it seems to take forever to get through those lines even though when I go through they're kinda short

'Entry clearance' is a term that applies to other types of situations too, not just visitors - the home office website details the different types of entry clearance:

The four types of entry clearance that can be issued to give someone permission to travel to or enter the United Kingdom are:

    * a visa that is required by nationals or citizens of the countries or territories listed in Appendix 1 of the Immigration Rules (visa nationals);

    * an entry certificate that is issued to non-visa nationals;

    * the EEA family permit which is issued to the family members of EEA nationals; and

    * the exempt vignette that is issued to people who are exempt from the requirements of the Immigration Act 1971, for example, diplomats.

see http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/beforetravel/entryclear/ for more info .

Thank you! Man I love this site, you're all very helpful. 

Hehe, yeah, it makes the 6-7 hour flight across the ocean totally worth it, especially when you have someone waiting for you--my fiance always waits right beyond passport control and customs, and it seems to take forever to get through those lines even though when I go through they're kinda short

Bit of a problem there, it will sound silly but I'm terrified of airports and airoplanes  ....weird phobia I have. I feel mean now... ...It's a good Job Jesse wants to move here because the only way you'd get me to fly would be to knock me out with a horse sedative or something before traveling-......unconsciouss and against my will. 

Bit of a problem there, it will sound silly but I'm terrified of airports and airoplanes  ....weird phobia I have. I feel mean now... ...It's a good Job Jesse wants to move here because the only way you'd get me to fly would be to knock me out with a horse sedative or something before traveling-......unconsciouss and against my will. 

I used to be as terrified as you were of flying, but you'd be amazed at how you can overcome stuff like that. I had my fiance fly out twice to the US to visit, and then I got the courage to fly the 6,000 miles to see him, and I think once you guys meet the excitement of everything will carry you through And, I joined a forum for fearful fliers, that helped loads as well, just like UK-Y has done so far.

By and large the flight is smooth as silk, a bit long coming into the US versus flying back to the UK, but I forgot that I was even flying over water most of the time. You'll quickly overcome your fear the longer you're in the LDR; in the two trips I've taken, I've accumulated somewhere near 20k frequent flier miles, 4 flights for each trip

Oh I'm not scared of flying, just airoplanes lol, it's a very bizzare phobia I've had since childhood. I can't even look at an airoplane from the ground if it's in the sky.....So airports are like my worst nightmare. I could travel by hotair balloon or somthing lol flying itself is no problem.

It's great you overcame your fear and you're right maybe I'll overcome mine too for jesses sake. I mean its not common for airoplanes to crash on airports is it lol..

I see you don't have long left until your big day, bet you're excited huh Hope all goes well for you.