Guidance

Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa

Information on what a Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa is and how to apply for one.

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published
14 November 2025

Overview 

The Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa is for government officials who are coming to the UK with a Head of State or a serving government minister on an official visit.  

There’s a limit on how many people can come with each official visitor. There can be: 

  • up to 20 people with a Head of State 

  • up to 10 people with a government minister 

You can enter the UK once with each VIP Delegate visa. If you need to come for another official visit, you will need to reapply.  

Your application for a VIP Delegate visa must be approved before you travel to the UK.  

Who can apply 

You can apply if you: 

  • are aged 18 or over 

  • are a serving government official coming to the UK with a group of government officials on an official visit 

  • have a written notification (Note Verbale) from your government confirming your name, date of birth, passport number and role 

You do not need to apply if: 

What you can do with a VIP Delegate visa 

With a VIP Delegate visa, you can: 

  • visit the UK for an official trip with your Head of State or government minister 

  • stay in the UK for the duration of your official visit (up to 1 month), plus 3 extra days before and after  travel 

You cannot: 

  • settle in the UK 

  • bring dependents  

  • study or work 

  • switch to another visa route 

How to apply 

You must apply online. 

Start now

You need to click on Exempt Vignette and put in the country you are applying from. You can then choose Very Important Person (VIP) Delegate visa from the list. 

You’ll need to: 

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.  

Note Verbale 

The Note Verbale must: 

  • be written by the government that’s sending you 

  • list everyone travelling with the Head of State or government minister 

It must include: 

  • your name, date of birth and passport number 

  • the reason for the visit  

  • confirmation that the government supports the application 

  • the dates the visit will happen 

  • proof that you have enough money to pay for your visit  

How much it costs  

It’s free to apply for a VIP Delegate visa. 

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 the official visit stated in the Note Verbale.  

You can only use the visa for this visit.

Updates to this page

Published 14 November 2025

Sign up for emails or print this page

Contents