UK VIP Delegate Visa- Eligibility, Documents needed and Application Process

The VIP (Very Important Person) Delegate Visa allows a government official who is accompanying a Head of State or serving government minister on an official visit to the UK to come to the UK for a temporary period not more than 1 month in duration.

This visa is not designed for a person who is exempt from immigration control, nor one on an official visit to the UK.

There is an upper cap of 10 for ministerial delegations and 20 for Heads of State delegations, per visit. A VIP Delegate Visa will be valid for the duration of their official visit in the UK, plus three days before and after the visit takes place for travelling purposes.

Visa Nationals travelling to the UK as a delegate accompanying a Head of State or serving government minister on an official visit must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a VIP Delegate before arrival in the UK. However, if numbers in the delegation exceed the caps, the surplus travelling members can apply for a UK visit visa instead.

The VIP Delegate Visa is not a path to settlement. Dependents are also not permitted on this route.

Entry Clearance as a VIP delegate

A person seeking entry to the UK as a VIP Delegate must apply for and obtain entry clearance before arriving in the UK.

Validity requirements as a VIP Delegate

A person applying for entry clearance as a VIP Delegate must apply online on the gov.uk website using the specified form: “A exempt, diplomatic, official visit vignette or S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa.”

A person seeking entry clearance as a VIP Delegate must satisfy all the following requirements. The applicant must:

(a) be 18 or over when they apply

(b) be outside the UK at the time of application and to a VAC (Visa Application Centre) that is designated to accept such applications. 

(c) be named in a Note Verbale (a formal diplomatic communication) provided by their government, confirming that they are part of the official delegation accompanying their Head of State or serving government Minister

(d) have provided a valid passport to satisfactorily establish their nationality and identity

(e) Provide a facial image that is in accordance with the visa application process, and is compliant with the rules for digital photos

Suitability requirements for a VIP Delegate

The decision maker must be satisfied that the VIP Delegate visa applicant should not be refused on suitability grounds under the Immigration Rules - Part Suitability.

Eligibility requirements for a VIP Delegate

The decision maker must be fully satisfied that the applicant fulfils the following VIP Delegate visa eligibility requirements. 

The applicant must 

(a) be visiting the UK with the sole intention and purpose of accompanying their Head of State or serving government Minister travelling on official business of their government; and

(b) be a serving government official, which means that they are employed by their government in an equivalent role to one that would be occupied by a civil servant in the UK system; and

(c) have their intended dates of travel to the UK consistent with the official visit’s date indicated on a Note Verbale provided in support of the application; and

(d) is 18 or over.

The decision maker must be fully satisfied that the Note Verbale has been issued by the government of the country sending the delegation, and the number of individuals listed on it does not exceed the allocated cap per visit. It must have been issued before the date of submission of the application and must not have been withdrawn after the date of issue.

The cap per visit for delegations accompanying a serving government minister is 10, and for delegations accompanying a head of state is 20.

The Note Verbale must also have the name, DOB (Date of Birth), and passport number of the applicant, and confirmation 

• of the title (formal designation of the visit and the visitor’s status), purpose of the official visit, and the dates that the official visit will take place, and 

• that the applicant's application is supported by the country sending the delegation, and 

• that the applicant can cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without unauthorised working or accessing public funds.

Applying for a VIP Delegate Visa

The applicant must apply online using the specified application form. They must be outside the UK to apply. 

The applicant does not have to enrol their biometric information. However, providing their facial image is mandatory. They must also provide a valid passport (original version, not a photocopy), confirming their identity and nationality. 

While the applicant is not required to personally attend a VAC overseas to provide biometrics, they must submit their application in person (themselves or an authorised representative, for example, a ‘runner’ employed by their Ministry of Foreign Affairs) at a VAC. 

If a person is eligible for a VIP Delegate Visa and they are within the cap numbers, they do not have to pay an application fee if their name is included in an official Note Verbale. 

At the time of application submission, the applicant must submit, along with their application, a copy of this Note Verbale.

Decision on an application as a VIP Delegate

After the applicant has applied, the VAC will send them an email with its decision within 10 working days. 

If the decision maker is satisfied that the applicant has met suitability and eligibility requirements for entry clearance as a VIP Delegate, they will approve the application will be granted; otherwise, the application will be refused. In case of refusal, there is no right of appeal or right to an Administrative Review.

Period of grant for a VIP Delegate

Entry clearance as a VIP Delegate will be granted for a period that begins 3 days before the commencement of the official visit to the UK and ends 3 days after the end of the official visit to the UK or for a period of 1 month, whichever is shorter.

How can Visa and Migration help?

Navigating the UK VIP (Very Important Person) Delegate Visa process can be complex, but our expert guidance can make all the difference for you. At Visa and Migration, our expert and experienced immigration professionals specialise in simplifying UK visas (including VIP Delegate Visa) applications for our clients. 

We ensure that every detail of your case is handled precisely. We are here to help if you need help with VIP Delegate Visa eligibility, documentation, application submission, or alternative UK visa routes.

Our job is to ensure a seamless application process tailored to your delegation’s needs and help you achieve success in your immigration journey.

For expert advice and queries, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write at info@visaandmigration.com