Any distinction between UK Visa sticker and UK Entry Clearance sticker?

Any distinction between UK Visa sticker and UK Entry Clearance sticker? - Free stock photo of ancient, beach, cliff

I previously posted a different question pertaining to my Kazakh wife, visiting here in the UK. Sorry for asking multiple questions.

We are wondering though, why she was issued a yellow "Entry Clearance" sticker in her passport for her current visit to the UK as opposed to a green "visa" like her previous two visits? For context, each of her visits were applied for as Standard Visitor Visas; though her last two visits were only planned for a month, whereas for this one she planned approximately three months. Her previous green visas included both validity periods and "duration of stay" being 180 days. In contrast, her current "Entry Clearance" does not include "duration of stay", merely a validity period of six months. So it seems, to our eyes at least, that they serve the same purpose.

Any reason why she has been given a different vignette of sticker, though? My research tells me that yellow entry clearance stickers are usually given for different, longer stay type visas, but this one is a C coded Visit sticker. I have also seen other cases where people were recently surprised to receive these stickers where they usually received green visa stickers.

I assume that, despite the lack of stipulation on the sticker regarding duration of stay, the validity period allows her to stay for up to six months as usual, making this sticker no different from her previous visas?



Best Answer

Since June 2019 the “CAT D” vignette (figure 2) is used for almost all categories including visit, employment, study and settlement.

Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/854601/visa-vignettes-used-for-certain-categories-of-UK-visas-Dec-19.pdf




Pictures about "Any distinction between UK Visa sticker and UK Entry Clearance sticker?"

Any distinction between UK Visa sticker and UK Entry Clearance sticker? - Green Mountain Beside Body of Water
Any distinction between UK Visa sticker and UK Entry Clearance sticker? - Brown and Green Rock Formation Beside Body of Water
Any distinction between UK Visa sticker and UK Entry Clearance sticker? - Clock Tower and City Hall in London



What is an entry clearance sticker?

When you apply for a visa (and your application is successful) your passport will be returned to you with a sticker inside it. This sticker is called a vignette (not sure why this word), and it is the physical form of your Entry Clearance.

What does entry clearance mean UK?

Entry clearance is the procedure used by Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) at British missions overseas to check, before a person arrives in the UK, if that person qualifies under the Immigration Rules for entry to the UK.

Is UK visa a sticker?

What is a UK vignette sticker? If you are travelling to the UK on a visa for a stay of longer than 6 months, a visa vignette sticker will be placed in your passport or travel document, permitting you to travel to and enter the UK within the stated 30 day period.

Is entry clearance the same as leave to enter?

Leave to enter is the outcome of a successful application for entry clearance; it may be granted for a limited or for an indefinite period, depending upon the category of the immigration rules.



Immigration Update: Article 8, Entry Clearance and Visit Visas




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Claudia P, Claudia P, Claudia P, Paul Macallan