Exemptions for visa applications: caseworker guidance
Immigration staff guidance on how to handle exemptions for visa applications made outside the UK.
Updates to this page
- From:
- UK Visas and Immigration
- Published:
- 14 November 2013
- Last updated:
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30 June 2026
Show all updates
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Added an accessible version of Exemption from immigration control (Non armed forces).
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Replaced the Exemption from immigration control (Non armed forces) guidance with a new version, updates throughout.
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The Appendix HM Armed Forces: caseworker guidance and the Appendix International Forces: caseworker guidance has been added.
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Changes to reflect the introduction of digital records of exemption for applicants from inside the UK and wider language updates.
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Changes to reflect the introduction of digital records of exemption for applicants from outside the UK.
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Updated the list of International organisations whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearances.
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Updated the list of International organisations to change ‘International Grains Organisation (IGC)’ to ‘International Grains Council (IGC)’ and ‘Oslo and Paris Commissions (OSPAR)’ to ‘OSPAR Commission (OSPAR)’.
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Exemption from immigration control (Non armed forces): changed to reflect Part Suitability replacing Part 9: grounds for refusal of the Immigration Rules.
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Updated Exemption from immigration control (Non armed forces) guidance with a new new section on Representative offices, and amended to note Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA) roll out has happened since the last version of the guidance was published.
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Updated list of international organisations whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearances.
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Added document, 'Exemption from immigration control (Non armed forces)'.
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Added the World Bank Group International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, the World Bank Group Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations Population Fund. Removed the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and the Unified Patents Court. Moved the African Development Bank to the list of organisations without offices in the UK. Moved the World Health Organisation to the list of organisations with offices in the UK. The names of some organisations have been updated.
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Exempt (EXM) document updated.
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Updated list of exempt organisations.
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Added more information about the unmarried partner concession in paragraph 7 of the Exempt (EXM) guidance.
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Updated paragraph 7 of the Exempt (EXM) guidance.
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List of exempt organisations have been updated to reflect current legislation.
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Updated list of exempt organisations.
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Updated list of exempt organisations.
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Updated EXM8 information.
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First published.
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Documents
Exemption from immigration control (Non armed forces)
PDF, 561 KB, 57 pages
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List of international organisations whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearances
PDF, 77.4 KB, 2 pages
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Details
UK Visas and Immigration guidance on how staff consider exemptions when handling visa applications made outside the UK. It is a live document under constant review and is for information only.