Diplomatic Visa Arrangement (DVA)
Information on what a Diplomatic Visa Arrangement is and how to apply for one.
Overview
The Diplomatic Visa Arrangement (DVA) is a UK visitor visa for people who have diplomatic passports from:
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Vietnam
You must apply for a DVA visa before travelling to the UK.
This visa is for official diplomatic visits, but you can also use it for personal travel.
Who can apply
You can apply if you:
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have a valid diplomatic passport from one of the eligible countries
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are aged 18 or over
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have a written notification (Note Verbale) from your government confirming your name, date of birth, passport number and role to support your application
What you can do with this visa
With a DVA visa, you can:
- visit the UK for up to 6 months at a time
- enter the UK multiple times during the 2-year validity period
You cannot:
- settle in the UK
- study
- work or switch to another visa route
How to apply
You must apply online to get a digital record of exemption.
You need to select Exempt Vignette and put in the country you are applying from. You can then choose Diplomatic Visa Arrangement from the list.
You’ll need to:
- upload a digital photo that meets UK passport standards
- submit your diplomatic passport at a visa application centre (VAC) (this must be the original version, not a photocopy)
- provide a Note Verbale from your government
You or someone authorised by your government (such as a delegate from your Ministry of Foreign Affairs) must submit your documents in person at a VAC.
The digital record of exemption is linked to the passport used in your application.
A digital record of exemption is not mandatory, but it will clearly show your exempt status to airlines, carriers and border officials. This will prevent unnecessary delays or being denied boarding by airlines or other carriers.
Note Verbale
The Note Verbale must:
- be written by the government that’s sending you
It must include:
- your name, date of birth, role and passport number
- confirmation that the government that’s sending you supports the application
How much it costs
It’s free to apply for a Diplomatic Visa Arrangement.
After you apply
The VAC will email you with your decision within 10 working days.
If your application is successful, you’ll get a visa valid for 2 years. You can visit the UK multiple times, but each visit must be no longer than 6 months.
There is no limit on how often you can visit.
You cannot extend this visa. If it expires, you must apply again.
Updates to this page
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Updated the page to reflect that people from India with a diplomatic passport can now apply for a Diplomatic Visa Arrangement (DVA).
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Updated information on digital record of exemptions.
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First published.