What is the difference between uk visa sticker and entry clearance

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Several years ago, the EEA Member States introduced a uniform format visa vignette (a green coloured vignette, which all member states use). Unlike other Member States, the UK uses a different sticker for category D visas.

  • Uniform Format Visa (UFV).This vignette is common to all EU Member States. It is used for visa nationals coming to the UK as visitors or in transit (Category A, B or C)

  • United Kingdom Vignette. This is used for all other entry clearances (Category D), usually long-stay categories

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/entry-clearance-vignettes-ecb09/ecb09-entry-clearance-vignettes-types-safeguarding-and-validity

An example of each vignette is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/257789/examples-of-vignettes.pdf

Example of UK Category A, B, C vignette
Example of UK Category A, B, C vignette

Example of UK Category D vignette
Example of UK Category D vignette

You appear to have been given a Category D vignette.

Upvote:4

The Visa vignettes issued for UK visas document explains that there are two types of vignettes: “CAT C” (green with “visa”) and “CAT D” (yellow with “entry clearance”). Previously, ordinary visitors would get the green “CAT C” vignette, however:

UKVI stopped issuing CAT C vignettes for most visas in June 2019.

Since June 2019 the “CAT D” vignette (figure 2) is used for almost all categories including visit, employment, study and settlement”.

So, yes, almost everyone is getting the yellow “entry clearance” ones now, except for “limited circumstances”:

The CAT C vignette is only used to print visas where permission to enter is granted for 3 months (90 days) or less.

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