United Kingdom•Europe15 days
Free
Duration of official posting or visit
Yes
Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
Exempt Vignette / Digital Record of Exemption
The UK Exempt Vignette — now issued as a Digital Record of Exemption — is a status granted to individuals legally exempt from immigration control, including diplomats, consular staff, visiting heads of state, and Commonwealth or Overseas Territories armed forces posted to the UK.
The grant lasts for the duration of the official posting, is renewable, and carries no application, biometric, or health surcharge fee. Dependents (spouse, civil partner, children under 18) qualify; spouses may work without restriction if the grant is 6 months or more. It does not count toward ILR.
This visa is ideal for accredited diplomatic and consular personnel, military personnel on official UK postings, and heads of state or their staff on official visits.
Application Fee | 0 GBP |
Biometric Fee | 0 GBP |
Immigration Health Surcharge | 0 GBP |
| Status type | Tied to program duration |
Must be legally exempt from UK immigration control under the Immigration Act 1971 or the Immigration (Exemption from Control) Order 1972.
Must hold a current valid passport or travel identification.
Must provide official evidence of the UK posting or visit (e.g., Note Verbale, official letter, or military posting orders).
Job Offer
Required
Current valid passport or travel identification
Passport-sized photograph
Official evidence of the UK posting or visit (Note Verbale, official letter, or military posting orders)
| GOV.UK - Exempt Vignette / Digital Record of Exemption Get a digital record of your exemption from immigration control | Fill online |
| Application Steps | Confirm eligibility under the relevant exemption category.; Gather required documents (passport, pho… | gov.uk |
| Dependent Visa | Eligible dependents include spouses, civil partners, and children under 18 (or up to 25 if in full-t… | gov.uk |
| Fee Breakdown | Application Fee: 0 GBP; Biometric Fee: 0 GBP; Immigration Health Surcharge: 0 GBP | gov.uk |
| Fees | Free of charge (£0) | gov.uk |
| Forms | GOV.UK - Exempt Vignette / Digital Record of Exemption | gov.uk |
| Forms · GOV.UK - Exempt Vignette / Digital Record of Exemption · description | Get a digital record of your exemption from immigration control | gov.uk |
| Job Offer Required | true | gov.uk |
| Official Info | https://www.gov.uk/exempt-immigration-control | gov.uk |
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