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Temporary residents: Diplomatic and official visas

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

Diplomatic, official and courtesy visas, although not equivalent to the right of entry into Canada, are nonetheless the only evidence of Canada’s consent to official visits by foreign officials. That consent, under international and domestic law, is a condition of granting diplomatic, consular or official (functional) privileges and immunities (or courtesies), as soon as the holder sets foot on Canadian soil or during transit. Although holders of diplomatic visas are, in principle, exempt from immigration and customs inspection on entry into Canada, they are subject to mandatory security checks at Canadian airports.

Diplomatic, official and similar passports issued by the country of which the foreign national is a citizen or national are only travel documents and do not in themselves determine the type of visa that should be granted.

On this page

When diplomatic and official travellers do not require a temporary resident visa (trv) or electronic travel authorization (eta) and are not required to provide biometrics.

• People travelling to Canada to assume a diplomatic posting (accreditation in Canada)

Who is entitled to diplomatic, official and courtesy visas?

• Criteria for diplomatic and official visas

Documents to be submitted

Authority for issuance, issuance of visas, summary of procedures for diplomatic and official visas.

Persons travelling with diplomatic, official or similar passports do not require temporary resident visas, biometric information collection or an electronic travel authorization if they:

• hold a passport that contains a diplomatic Acceptance, a consular Acceptance or an official Acceptance issued by the Chief of Protocol for Global Affairs Canada (GAC) on behalf of the Government of Canada; and
• are properly accredited diplomats, consular officers, representatives or officials of a country other than Canada, of the United Nations or an agency thereof, or of any international organization of which Canada is a member [R190(2)(a)].

Diplomats from visa-required, biometric and electronic travel authorization (eTA)-required countries holding a passport that contains a diplomatic acceptance, a consular acceptance or an official acceptance issued by the Chief of Protocol for GAC will be exempt from temporary resident visa, biometric information collection and eTA requirements.

People travelling to Canada to assume a diplomatic posting (accreditation in Canada):

All foreign officials travelling to Canada to assume diplomatic positions for which an acceptance has not yet been issued should apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) before travelling to Canada, whether they are from an eTA-required country or a visa-required country. Holders of a diplomatic or official visa wishing to take up their diplomatic/consular functions in Canada (i.e. at the time of first installation) will normally benefit from a multiple-entry visa, for up to three (3) months. Some exceptions may apply. Such multiple-entry diplomatic or official visas must not be issued without specific authorization from the Office of Protocol of GAC.

Notwithstanding the above, diplomatic visas can be issued to facilitate travel for eligible visa- and eTA-required foreign officials, as they offer evidence of Canada’s consent to official visits by foreign officials. There is no processing fee for diplomatic visas.

TRVs are the only indication to Border Services Officers in Canada that the passport holder, in Canada's view, may be entitled to diplomatic, consular or official privileges and immunities and recognized under the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act (FMIOA).

Diplomatic visas

Diplomatic visas may be granted to persons entitled, under international and domestic law, to diplomatic or consular (and similar) privileges and immunities, who intend to travel to Canada for an official purpose or to pass through Canada on the way to an assignment in another state and who come within one of the following categories:

• Heads of state or members of organizations entrusted with head-of-state duties and their accompanying family members;
• Heads of government and their accompanying family members, and cabinet ministers of foreign governments;
• Diplomatic agents travelling to or from their diplomatic missions or on a temporary mission to Canada;
• Career consular officers travelling to or from their consular posts or on a temporary mission to Canada;
• Delegates to the international organizations listed in the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines including delegates to conferences convened by the latter, with the exception of clerical staff;
• Senior officials (Secretary General, Assistant Secretaries General, and holders of equivalent positions, such as President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization) of the international organizations listed in the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines;
• Senior officers (appointed at the P-4 level and above) of the Secretariat of the I.C.A.O.;
• Persons (spouse, father, mother, children) who are recognized as members of the family forming part of the household of either diplomatic agents travelling to or from their diplomatic missions or on a temporary mission to Canada, or of senior officers of the Secretariat of the International Civil Aviation Organization;
• Foreign diplomatic couriers; and
• Special cases, on authorization from Headquarters (Diplomatic Corps Services (XDC)).

U.S. government officials

The following official U.S. government personnel assigned to temporary postings in Canada are not issued diplomatic or official acceptances in Canada and are therefore not eligible for diplomatic visas:

• Department of Homeland Security officers;
• U.S. Customs officers;
• International Joint Commission employees; and
• Inspectors with the Federal Grain Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture and other U.S. government officials in possession of official U.S. government passports and assigned to temporary postings in Canada.

U.S. government employees will be issued work permits under R204 and as such are HRSDC/SC LMO exempt (T10). For more information on the documentation of U.S. government employees, refer to the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines.

Official visas

Official visas may be granted to persons entitled, under international and domestic law, to official (functional) privileges and immunities, who intend to travel to, or to pass through, Canada for an official purpose and who come within one of the following categories:

• Members of the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions or international organizations; consular staff of consular posts; and service staff of diplomatic missions and consular posts in Canada;
• Officials who hold a diplomatic, official or similar passport, invited by the Government of Canada or a provincial or territorial government for meetings in Canada;
• Other officials or experts on mission, acting on behalf of the international organizations listed in the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines, or contractual employees such as translators hired by the United Nations Organization or the International Civil Aviation Organization for their assemblies;
• Persons (spouse, father, mother, children) who are recognized as members of the family forming part of the household of persons listed in section (1) above and of "other officials" indicated in section (2) above;
• Private servants of a member of a diplomatic mission or a consular post, but only after a Household Domestic Worker Employment Agreement (refer to the Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines) has been submitted by the employer to the diplomatic mission or the consular post or GAC Protocol (XDC); and
• Special cases, on authorization from GAC, Protocol (XDC).

Courtesy visas

Under Canadian law, no person other than those listed above under diplomatic visas or official visas is entitled to diplomatic, consular, or official privileges and immunities. Therefore, all other persons travelling to Canada for the purpose of an official visit, for an international organization or on behalf of a foreign government, other than those situations listed above, may be issued courtesy visas.

Officers may issue a courtesy visa in the interest of bilateral relations.

Courtesy visas may be issued as multiple-entry visas, with a validity period of up to 3 years.

Criteria for diplomatic or official visas

Purpose of a visit.

Diplomatic and official visas are not automatically granted to holders of diplomatic, official or similar passports. The purpose of the visit is the primary factor to be considered in determining whether a diplomatic or official visa should be issued. For that reason, it is essential that a written request in the form of a note be received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a diplomatic mission, or a consular post, bearing a signature or initial(s) and an official stamp and clearly defining the purpose of the visit to Canada.

Official visit

Ambiguous statements, such as "special mission" or "official visit," are not sufficient to justify the issuance of a diplomatic or official visa. The purpose of the visit, as stated in the written request, must clearly be of such an official nature that, insofar as Canada is concerned, it would justify the granting of appropriate privileges and immunities in Canada under domestic law in accordance with the relevant international conventions, headquarters agreements with international organizations, or international customary law.

The following working definition of "special mission" or "official visit" should be used in considering a request for a diplomatic or official visa: such a visa is of a temporary nature by a representative of a state, sent by the latter and consented to by Canada for the purpose of dealing with:

• questions of mutual interest,
• questions pertaining to a diplomatic mission or a consular post of the sending state in Canada, and,
• questions regarding bilateral or multilateral relations with third states or international organizations, including international conferences hosted by Canada.

Examples where diplomatic visas are justified

Examples of situations justifying the issuance of diplomatic visas include:

• a diplomatic agent being assigned to a diplomatic mission in Canada or travelling through Canada on the way to a diplomatic assignment elsewhere;
• an official visit of a head of state or chief administrative officer (Secretary General, Director, or their Assistants) of the international organizations listed in Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines.

Examples where official visas are justified

Examples of situations justifying the issuance of official visas include:

• support staff assigned to a diplomatic mission or a consular post in Canada or travelling through Canada on the way to a diplomatic mission or a consular post elsewhere;
• officials or experts of the United Nations Organization travelling to Canada on United Nations business. Some purposes that may be "official" to a sending state will not be regarded necessarily as such by Canada, like buying or selling a diplomatic mission on behalf of a governmental agency, or a fund-raising or electioneering visit to an expatriate community in Canada.
• government officials travelling to Canada to conduct business with representatives of the Government of Canada or provincial or territorial governments.

Personal status

An individual's personal status is not normally a primary consideration for the issuance of a diplomatic or official visa (except for heads of state and other relatively rare instances). For instance, a senior official of a foreign government, travelling on a diplomatic passport, should not be issued a diplomatic visa if the individual intends to enter Canada for commercial negotiations with private enterprises, or on a private visit. In that case, the individual would be issued a regular temporary resident visa, if required, or a courtesy visa, if deemed appropriate. Another instance would be a student who is the child of a diplomatic agent serving outside Canada and who enters Canada solely to pursue their studies. If not exempt from a temporary resident visa, that person would need a regular temporary resident visa before entering Canada and may require a study permit as well. This individual would not be entitled to a diplomatic or official visa although they may hold a diplomatic or special passport.

Diplomatic or official visas on an ordinary passport

A diplomatic or official visa may be inserted in an ordinary passport if the purpose of the visit warrants it, such as when a member of a foreign government, travelling on an ordinary passport, enters Canada as a member on an official mission, or when a private citizen (for example, an academic) is included in a state's delegation to a meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization or a diplomatic conference in Canada.

An officer may issue a diplomatic or official visa only on receipt of one of the following:

• a written request, as above, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the state to which the head of mission or post is accredited, or for which the diplomatic mission or consular post has jurisdiction in visa matters;
• a written request, as above, from a diplomatic mission or a consular post of the state of the applicant's citizenship;
• a written request, as above, by an international organization listed in Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines in respect of its officials travelling to Canada to carry out official duties; or,
• in the case of persons entering Canada to take employment as officers of the Secretariat of the International Civil Aviation Organization, a letter to the individual concerned constituting an "offer of employment," indicating their official level at the I.C.A.O. and signed by or on behalf of the Secretary General.

With the exception of those cases described below, diplomatic agents, consular officers, or immigration officers may issue diplomatic and official visas without reference to Headquarters. However, if they have the slightest doubt regarding the bona fides of an applicant or their entitlement to a diplomatic or official visa, they should refer the request to the appropriate Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Geographic division and to GAC Protocol.

Categories requiring consultation with IRCC Geographic and GAC Protocol (XDC)

• Diplomatic agents, consular officers, and immigration officers may not issue diplomatic or official visas to officials of "special category" states without prior consultation.
• Officers should consult whenever there is some doubt or question regarding the issuance of a visa to a person assigned to Canada.
• Officers should consult on all requests for visas for members of diplomatic missions, consular posts, or other offices in Canada not listed in the latest edition of Foreign representatives in Canada . There may be other categories of persons or states where, for a temporary period, authority from headquarters will be required before diplomatic or official visas are granted. When such circumstances arise, Protocol (XDC) or IRCC Geographic will provide specific guidance to diplomatic missions and consular posts on request.

Usefulness of diplomatic, official and courtesy visas

Persons listed in “Who is entitled to diplomatic, official and courtesy visas?” above, who are within the jurisdiction of the diplomatic mission or consular post and who intend to travel to Canada, should be advised to apply for the appropriate visa or eTA, as applicable.

Diplomatic, official, and courtesy visas, although not equivalent to the right of entry into Canada, are nonetheless the only evidence of Canada's consent to official visits by foreign officials. That consent, under international and domestic law, is a condition of the granting of diplomatic, consular, or official (functional) privileges and immunities (or courtesies) as soon as the holder sets foot on Canadian soil or during transit.

Diplomatic, official and courtesy visas are the only indication to Border Services Officers in Canada that the holder, in Canada's view, may be entitled to diplomatic, consular, or official (functional) privileges and immunities (or courtesies). In that connection, the visa coding and the statement made in "purpose of stay" are the essential elements for the issuance of the visas. The possession of an appropriate visa, not the holding of a diplomatic, official or similar passport, is the sole way of ensuring the right processing on arrival in Canada and thereby avoiding unpleasant incidents.

Security checks

Although holders of diplomatic visas are, in principle, exempt from immigration and customs inspection on entry into Canada, they are subject to mandatory security checks at Canadian airports. Officers should apprise holders of diplomatic visas of that requirement whenever possible. If necessary, the persons concerned can obtain more details about that requirement from their own diplomatic missions accredited to Canada.

Multiple-entry visas

The period during which a visa is valid is left to the discretion of the officer. That leeway should not be confused with the requirement on the former visa to show the intended duration of stay.

Generally speaking, diplomats and officials may be issued a multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to 3 years . Some exceptions may apply. This does not apply to foreign officials travelling to Canada to obtain their accreditation in Canada (to assume their diplomatic posting in Canada).

Foreign officials travelling to Canada to obtain their accreditation (to assume their diplomatic posting) are issued a multiple-entry TRV that is valid for 3 months . These applicants should be advised that the duration of the initial entry into Canada is determined by the Canadian official at the border and that the diplomatic mission in Canada should send their passports, along with the required documents, to the Department of Global Affairs, Protocol (XDC), requesting accreditation or recognition. During the validity of the diplomatic or official acceptance, the applicants do not require any other visa to enter Canada.

Multiple-entry diplomatic or official visas must not be issued to persons who are on assignment to Canada without specific authorization from GAC.

Notification to IRCC Geographic Desk and GAC, Protocol

Whenever an officer issues a diplomatic, official, or courtesy visa without prior authorization from Headquarters, but pursuant to standing instructions, and believes the visit would be of interest to Headquarters, they should notify Headquarters of the name and the occupation of the person concerned and the nature and the date of the proposed visit. Notification should be addressed to GAC Protocol and to the appropriate IRCC geographic division and should be marked for distribution to other interested functional divisions or departments. Moreover, the Canadian port of entry should be alerted if that is deemed appropriate.

Areas of concern

Who is entitled to diplomatic or official visas.

• For details refer to Diplomatic or official temporary resident visas .
• In addition, consult the Office of Protocol at GAC. In urgent cases, contact the Immigration Advisor and Liaison Officer

Ports of entry procedures

The Border Service Officer (BSO) will stamp diplomatic or official passports, thereby authorizing entry for a period of six months. Officers will not refer diplomats or officials to secondary examination.

Role of Office of Protocol

• During the six-month period, the person’s foreign mission will forward the passport to the Diplomatic Corps Services Division, Office of Protocol, GAC.
• The Office of Protocol will issue a diplomatic (D), consular (C), official (J) or international (I) acceptance, which indicates that the person is accredited to Canada and entitled to remain in Canada for the duration of their status.

Visa exemption for accredited persons

Once accredited, these persons do not require a temporary resident visa or an eTA to enter Canada.

Spouses, parents and dependent children of diplomats

• People (spouses, fathers, mothers and children) who are recognized as members of the family, forming part of the household, may be granted official visas.
• Diplomats’, consular officers’, representatives’ and officials’ dependent children who are under 19 years of age and considered to be members of the family, forming part of the household, are issued acceptances.
• Children over 19 years of age are issued acceptances only if they are registered as full-time students.
• After turning 25 years of age, dependent children are no longer eligible to receive official acceptance (even if they are still studying) and must change their official status to regular immigration status.

Servants of diplomats

Note: Members of the official service staff are exempt from the same requirements as foreign representatives (diplomats).

Can be one of the following two types:

• Private servants: are issued official (O-1) visas; will receive an official (J) acceptance from the Office of Protocol; will not require a temporary resident visa if they wish to re-enter; do not require a work permit; must undergo a medical examination, and must provide biometric information if from a country or territory whose nationals are required to do so, but are exempt from the biometric fee.
• For guidance on employment requirements for diplomatic servants, refer to Temporary Foreign Worker Guidelines.
• Live-in Caregivers: must meet requirements to be live-in caregivers in Canada; must undergo a medical examination; must provide biometric information if from a country or territory whose nationals are required to do so and must pay the biometric fee; are issued a work permit; do not enjoy any privileges or immunities; require a temporary resident visa to re-enter Canada.

Learn more about the Live-in Caregiver Program in OP14.

Processing fees

There is no processing fee for diplomatic visas .

Medical examinations (exemptions)

The following people are exempt from having to undergo a medical examination, even if they are from countries where one would normally be required:

• diplomatic and consular officials entering for official duties only
• spouses and dependent children of diplomatic and consular officials, unless they intend to work
• members of the armed forces of a country designated under the Visiting Forces Act who are entering for official duties only (see Countries designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act )

Biometric information (exemptions)

• Diplomats and officials and their family members who have been issued a D-1 or O-1 visa are exempt from providing biometric information, even if they are from a country or territory whose nationals are normally required to do so.
• Those issued a courtesy visa are required to provide their biometrics; however, the biometric requirement may be exempted only at the discretion of the Migration Program Manager, in the interest of bilateral relations.
• Holders of diplomatic or official passports who are nationals of a biometric-required country or territory, and who have been issued a regular TRV, are required to provide their biometric information but are exempt from the biometric fee.
• Private servants of diplomats and officials must provide their biometric information if they are nationals of a biometric-required country or territory, but are exempt from the biometric fee if their employer is travelling to Canada on official business.
• Live-in caregivers of diplomats and officials must provide their biometric information when applying for a Temporary resident visa or work permit if they are nationals of a biometric-required country or territory and must pay the biometric fee.

For further information on the biometric requirement, see Biometrics collection and screening .

Page details

How to fill out the Schengen visa application form

Applicants for Schengen visas are required to submit multiple supplemental documents and materials ( for a complete list of required documents, click here ). In general, the specific documents that you submit will depend on the type of Schengen visa you are applying for and what country you are applying to. However, no matter how you apply or where you apply to, you will have to fill out a Schengen visa application form.

What is the Schengen visa application form?

The Schengen visa application form is a document you must fill out and submit as part of your Schengen visa application. The form is described as “harmonized”, meaning it is the same format for every country and for every applicant. The form is comprised of 32 questions, and its purpose is to collect your biographical information, including your name, address, and date of birth, as well as basic information about your intended trip, such as where you are staying, how you plan on supporting yourself, and the type of visa you are requesting. Not all the questions will apply to you; some you may not need to fill out.

Where to access the form

How you access your Schengen visa application is determined by where you are applying from. Some consulates will allow you to apply and submit an application online, through an e-portal. Others will simply provide you a link to the harmonized form, which you can download and print out.

Filling out the form

Each of the 32 Schengen visa application form questions are explained below:

1. Surname (Family name):

Begin by writing down your surname. This is also known as your family name, or last name. This is your current surname (i.e. your legal name) and should match the name that is on your passport.

2. Surname at birth (Former family name(s)):

If you were born with a different family name than your current surname, enter it here. For example, if your last name changed when you got married, enter the name you had before you got married (i.e. the name you were born with).

3. First name(s) (Given name(s)):

Enter your first name. Again, this should be your complete first name, and should match the name on your travel document (passport). If you normally go by a shortened version of your first name (i.e. a nickname), make sure to enter your full legal first name, not your nickname.

4. Date of birth (day-month-year):

Enter the day you were born in order of Day, month, year. For example, if you were born on October 2 nd , 1969, you would enter: 02/10/1969.

5. Place of birth:

Enter the city where you were born.

6. Country of birth:

Enter the country where you were born.

7. Current nationality:

Nationality at birth, if different:

Other nationalities:

Enter your current nationality. If the nationality you have now is different from the nationality you were born with, you must enter your original nationality as well. If you hold multiple nationalities, you must enter those as well.

Check either the “male” or “female” box to indicate your sex.

9. Civil status:

Check one of the following boxes to indicate your current civil status; i.e. whether or not you are married (or were married previously) or are in some other legal relationship. The box options are: single, married, registered partnership, separated, divorced, widow(er). If none of the above boxes apply to you, select: other (please specify).

10. Parental authority (in case of minors) /legal guardian (surname, first name, address, if different from applicant’s, telephone no., e-mail address, and nationality):

You only need to fill this out if you are applying as a minor (i.e. if you are under 18). If you are a minor, you will need to supply the above biographical and contact information for your parent/legal guardian.

11. National identity number (where applicable):

You only need to fill this out if you come from a country that supplies its citizens with a national identity number. If you don’t come from one of those countries, leave this blank, or write n/a (not applicable).

12.  Type of travel document:

Check one of the following boxes to describe your type of passport. The options are Ordinary passport, Service passport, Official passport, and Special passport. If you are not a diplomat or other official, you likely have an ordinary passport. If none of the above boxes accurately describe your passport, or if you have some sort of non-passport travel document, select “other travel document,” (please specify), and then describe it in the space provided.

13.  Number of travel document:

Almost all passports/travel documents have a number. If you have a passport, your passport number will be located on the inside pages, usually on the same page as your photo.

14.  Date of issue:

This is when your passport (or travel document) was issued. If you have a passport, your date of issue will be located on the inside pages, usually on the same page as your photo.

15.  Valid until:

This is when your passport is valid until. If you have a passport, its “valid until” date will be located on the inside pages, usually on the same page as your photo.

16.  Issued by (country):

Enter the country that issued your passport. This information can also be found on your passport, sometimes under the title “authority” rather than “issuer”.

17.  Personal data of the family member who is an EU, EEA or CH citizen if applicable

You only need to fill this out if you have a family member who is a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland. If you are, you should provide their first and last name, date of birth, nationality, and travel number/ID card.

18.  Family relationship with an EU, EEA or CH citizen if applicable:

Check one of the following boxes to describe the nature of your relationship with your family member who is a citizen of one of the above places. If none of the above boxes accurately describe your relationship to this person, select “other” (please specify).

19.  Applicant’s home and email address and telephone number:

Enter the address where you are currently living, even if the address is temporary. Provide a working email address and telephone number; make sure you enter these numbers correctly so that you can be reached in the event you need to provide more information.

20.  Residence in a country other than the country of current nationality:

If you have residence in a country that is different from the country you are a national of, select the box “yes”. If it is a resident permit or equivalent, fill in the country in the provided space. If it is not, you must still fill in the country it’s for in the provided space; for both options you must put the also put the date it’s valid until.

21.  Current occupation:

• If you are working, enter your current profession.
• If you are not working because you are in school, put “student”.
• If you are a family member of an EU, EEA or CH citizen, you don’t have to fill this question out.

22.  Employer and employer’s address and telephone number. For students, name and address of educational establishment:

• If you are working, give your employer’s contact information. Whoever is looking over your application may contact the person whose number you provided in order to verify the information you provided, so make sure you provide their correct contact information.
• If you are not working because you are a student, fill in the name and address of your school.

23.  Purpose of the journey:

Select the boxes which best describes your reason for travelling. Your options are: Tourism, Business, Visiting family or friends, Cultural, Sports, Official visit, Medical reasons, Study, Airport transit. If none of the above boxes accurately describe why you are travelling, select: “Other” and write down your reason. You should select the box which best describes your primary reason for travel. For example, if you are travelling primarily to undergo a medical procedure, but you are also seeing friends and family, you should select “Medical reasons”. However, if you are travelling for two equally important reasons, such as for cultural and sports purposes (say, for example, you are going to participate in a soccer tournament and then a cultural event) you should select both “Cultural” and “Sports”.

24.  Additional information on purpose of stay:

If there is more information about your reason for travelling that you think is relevant, you can enter it here in the space provided.

25.  Member state of main destination (and other Member States of destination, if applicable):

Here is where you will enter the country that is your primary destination in the Schengen area. This is the place you will be spending the most time on your trip, and it may be different from your Member State of first entry. In most cases, this will also be the state whose consulate/embassy you are applying through, as most applicants for Schengen visas are instructed to submit their application through the consulate/embassy of the country where they will be spending the most time on their trip. For example, if you are travelling mainly to visit friends in Germany, but you are entering the Schengen Area through France, you will enter “Germany” as your main destination.

26.  Member of state of first entry :

This is where you are entering the Schengen area for the first time on your visa period. For example, if you receive a Schengen visa and you fly from Egypt to France, and this is the first time you enter the Schengen area on that visa, your state of first entry will be France. As noted above, sometimes the Member State of first entry is different from the Member State of main destination. For example, even if you are only planning on transiting through a French airport on your way to spend 80 days in Germany, you must still put France as your Member State of first entry.

27.  Number of entries requested:

• This is where you will enter the number of times you wish to enter and exit the Schengen area on your Schengen visa during your visa validity period.
• A single-entry Schengen visa means you are allowed just one entry into the Schengen area. Should you leave the Schengen area for whatever reason, your visa will have been utilized, and therefore rendered invalid.
• Unlike the single entry, the Double Entry Schengen Visa allows you to leave the Schengen area and re-enter it. It is therefore valid for two entries into the Schengen area.
• A multiple entry Schengen visa allows you to enter, leave, and renter the Schengen area as many times as you want.

Intended date of arrival of the first intended stay in the Schengen area:

Intended date of departure from the Schengen area after the first intended stay:

This is the (intended) date of the first time you enter the Schengen area and the date of the first time you leave the Schengen area post entry. Regardless of whether or not you intend to return to the Schengen area after you exit (i.e. whether you have a single entry visa or a double/multiple entry visa) you will still need to put down the date you intend to leave it for the first time. Therefore, if you plan to enter the Schengen area March 1 st 2021, and you intend to leave it on April 2 nd 2021 to go to a non-Schengen country (even if it’s just for a day, and you plan to return to the Schengen area right after) you must put your intended date of entry as March 1 st , and your date of departure from the Schengen area as April 2 nd .

28.  Fingerprints collected previously for the purpose of applying for a Schengen visa:

Fingerprints are known as “biometric information”, and their collection is a standard part of the Schengen visa application process for any applicant over 12 years old. Check the box for either “Yes” or “No” depending on whether or not you have submitted fingerprints before when applying for a previous Schengen visa. If you have previously submitted fingerprints for a Schengen visa, check “Yes”, and put the date you submitted them (if you can recall it) as well as the sticker number of the visa you received (if you indeed received one) when you submitted your fingerprints. If you have previously submitted fingerprints for a Schengen visa application (within the last 10 years), you likely will not need to resubmit them because they are already in the Schengen system. Please note, if you have previously applied and submitted fingerprints in pursuit of a national visa for a Schengen state (but not a Schengen visa) you will still need to submit fingerprints.

29.  Entry permit for the final country of destination, where applicable:

You will need to provide proof that when you leave the Schengen area you will be approved for entry in the non-Schengen country you are entering. This stipulation is particularly relevant if you are leaving a Schengen state to enter a non-Schengen country where you do not have citizenship or residency in. If this is the case, you may have to provide an entry permit to that country you intend to enter.

Issued by/valid until :

If you do have an entry permit, you must write down which country issued it and the date it’s valid until.

30.  Surname and first name of the inviting person(s) in the Member State(s). If not applicable, name of hotel(s) or temporary accommodation(s) in the Member State(s):

• If you are being invited to the Schengen area by someone who lives there, you must supply his or her name, address, and contact information. Alternatively, if you intend to stay in a hotel, you must provide that hotel’s name, address and contact information. To summarize; you must provide the name and contact information of whoever you are staying with (or wherever you are staying) in the Schengen area. If you are planning on staying with several people in several states, try to put all of their names and addresses/contact info down. Otherwise, write down the name of the person/place where you will be staying the longest throughout your stay.

31.  Name and address of inviting company/organisation (Surname, first name, address, telephone no. and e-mail address of contact person in company/organisation):

• If you were invited to a Schengen state by a company or organisation (as is often the case for those applying for a Schengen visa for Business purposes) you will have to provide the name of the company, address, and complete contact information.

32.  Cost of living during the applicant’s stay is covered:

• This question is meant to determine how you are going to financially support yourself during your trip in the Schengen area.
• If you will be paying for your trip yourself, you should select the box “by the applicant himself/herself, and then select one or multiple of the 5 means of support (such as cash and credit card). If none of the 5 boxes accurately describe how you will pay for your trip, select the box “other” and specify how you intend to cover your costs in the space provided.
• If someone is helping you pay for your trip, you should select the box “by a sponsor (host, company, organization)”.If the person who paying for your stay is the person who invited you on the trip (i.e. the person you listed as your host in box 31), or if the company/organization who is paying for your stay is the same organization/company who invited you on the trip, please specify this in the space provided, and select the box: “referred to in field 30 or 31”. Then select your mean(s) of support (cash, credit, etc).

When you have reached the end of the application, you will be asked to sign the form (or if you are a minor, your parent/guardian will sign it) and also provide where and when you are signing it (i.e. the country you are in and the time). If you sign the form, you are signaling you have read and consent to the information outlined in several paragraphs, which attests to, among other things, your knowledge of the fact that you won’t get your money back if your visa is rejected, your consent to the collection of your fingerprints and other personal data/information, your assertion that the information you provided is correct, and that you will not exceed your allowed time in the Schengen area under the terms of your visa. If you read and consent to all the terms and conditions of the application, you should sign and submit it, along with the rest of your application!

If you are applying for a Schengen Visa, Travel Medical Insurance is mandatory. To simplify your application process, Insurte, partners with leading European Insurance Companies operating under EU regulations provide Travel Medical Insurances. If you wish to proceed, please click below:

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Visa vs. Passport: What’s the Difference?

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You probably know that you need a passport for international travel, but you may have also heard of another type of travel document called a visa. Depending on your travel plans, you might be able to travel with just a passport — or you might need to apply for a visa as well.

But what is the difference between a visa and a passport? Here’s what you need to know.

What is a passport?

A passport is a specific type of official identity document used for international travel. A country's government issues the document to its citizens or in some cases, to noncitizen nationals. Passports contain identifying information like your name, birth date, gender, photo and passport number.

Many passports also contain electronic chips that store your identity information and signature digitally, which makes the passport difficult to fake or alter.

Most passports are regular, or tourist, passports. In the U.S., these are the blue passports that you’re most likely familiar with. But countries also issue diplomatic and official passports for officials traveling on government business.

When do you need a passport?

If you plan to travel internationally, you most likely need a passport. There are alternatives to passports for U.S. citizens going to Canada or Mexico by land, but most international travel will require a passport. International air travel always requires a passport.

» Learn more: Passport book vs. card: 4 key differences

What is a visa?

A visa is a document that permits you to enter another country for a specific length of time and purpose. Whether a visa is required to enter a country depends on your country of citizenship, your reason for travel, the duration of your stay and other factors.

Any country might issue dozens of different types of visas. It may have a complicated taxonomy of visa types or offer only a handful of visa types. Here are some of the most common types of visas:

Tourist visas are issued when you are traveling to a country for sightseeing, visiting friends or other noncommercial, nonofficial purposes. These visas are typically issued for a short stay of a few months.

Student visas are issued to those who will be studying in the country. They typically allow you to stay in a country during your studies, but there are often restrictions on how much you can work.

Work visas allow you to enter a country for the purposes of employment. Most countries require a specific work visa if you want to work during your stay.

Transit visas are issued when you need to pass through a country to catch a connecting flight. Transit visas are typically valid for a short period of time, and visa holders aren’t allowed to exit the airport while in the country.

» Learn more: How to get your first passport

How do you get a visa?

Countries that require a visa will often ask you to send your passport to an embassy or consulate before you travel. Requirements vary, but you will usually be asked to provide evidence of your travel bookings, a photograph, a completed visa form and proof of residence. Visa processing may take a few days to more than a month.

Even if a country requires a visa for travel, you don’t always have to apply for it in advance. Some countries will grant you a tourist visa on arrival. Egypt, for example, grants a 30-day tourist visa to U.S. citizens arriving by air for a $25 fee.

Finally, some countries allow you to apply for a visa electronically. Australia, for instance, allows U.S. citizens, as well as those from a handful of other countries, to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority. You can apply for the electronic visa online, allowing you to get a visa without submitting your passport to an embassy or consulate.

When do you need a visa?

Whether you require a visa for travel will depend on your citizenship, the country you are traveling to, your purpose for travel, and how long you intend to stay.

If you’re a U.S. citizen, one way to find out if you need a visa to travel is to use the State Department’s Learn About Your Destination tool, which contains visa information for most countries. Keep in mind that visa rules can change, so it’s best to verify entry requirements even if it’s a country you’ve been to in the past.

» Learn more: Places to travel without a passport this summer

Visa and passport differences

Here’s a quick overview of the differences between a passport and a visa:

Visa vs. passport recapped

A passport is for identity verification, while a visa permits you to enter a country.

If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll need a passport. In addition to your passport, some countries require you to apply and be approved for a visa in advance of your travel.

You might also need a visa if you’re traveling for a specific nontourism purpose, such as work or study.

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• UK Visas and Immigration

Exempt (EXM)

Updated 16 July 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exempt-exm/exempt-exm

1. EXM1 The legislation

Some people are exempt from immigration control even though they do not have the right of abode in the UK. The main provisions for exemption are contained in Sections 8 (2), 8 (3) and 8 (4) of the Immigration Act 1971.

2. EXM2 Do visa nationals who are exempt need a visa?

Any person who is exempt from immigration control does not require prior entry clearance. However, it is strongly advised that visa nationals obtain an exempt vignette before travelling to the UK to avoid unnecessary delays on arrival.

3.  EXM3 Do people who are exempt need to give their biometric data?

People who are exempt from immigration control are not required to give their biometric data. In addition, there are also certain categories of people that are subject to immigration control but are not required to give their biometric data. See EXM5 Who is not exempt from immigration control below.

4.  EXM4 Who is exempt from immigration control?

4.1  exm4(a) sovereigns, heads of state or heads of ex-reigning houses, who are personae gratae to hmg whether travelling officially or privately..

Members of the family forming part of their household and their private servants are exempt from immigration control. Members of their household include, but are not limited to, spouses, civil partners and children under 18.

All people included in an official visit for the purpose of attending to a Head of State should be advised to apply for entry clearance in the normal manner. This cohort, along with any private individuals travelling including journalists and businesspeople, is not eligible for exemption from immigration control.

Former Heads of State and their families are not exempt from immigration control. They should be treated as private persons unless special considerations make this undesirable. In such cases, the Head of Post should liaise with their appointed UKVI contact to begin consideration. Referrals should provide full details of the case including whether exempt status has been issued in the past.

4.2  EXM4(b) Members of the diplomatic, administrative, technical and service staff and career consular officers of States recognised by HMG that are accredited to the UK.

Members of their family forming part of their household are also exempt from immigration control. Members of their household include, but is not limited to, spouses, civil partners and children under 18. People in this category accredited to the UK should be granted an exempt vignette valid for 5 years or for the length of the posting, whichever is shorter.

Members of their family should be issued in line with this. However, in the case of dependant children, this approach has the potential to confer exemption beyond their eighteenth birthday. In this case, they should be issued with an exempt vignette valid until their eighteenth birthday, or otherwise they should be considered an overage dependant (see below).

• Overage dependants

Children between their eighteenth and twenty-fifth birthdays may qualify for exemption as an overage dependant if they can prove that they are in full-time education. These individuals must show an intention to study in the UK, at a registered educational institute licensed under the points-based system. ECOs must assess whether adequate finance is available and should request confirmation of course enrolment. The individual must intend to complete their studies before their 25th birthday. Any applications from dependant children who are over 18 and not in full time education, or aged 25 or over must be referred to Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations Unit (DMIOU) and Protocol Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for a decision. All dependant children must be recognised as such by the sending State.

Exempt vignettes for dependant children over 18 who are in full-time education should be issued in line with the earliest of three dates: i) the date marking the end of their studies in full-time education; ii) the date of their 25th birthday, iii) the date marking the expiry of the parent’s diplomatic posting.

Exempt vignettes for qualifying diplomats and dependants may be extended in the UK through DMIOU. Exempt vignettes expire once a diplomat and or dependants complete their posting.

In the most exceptional circumstances, elderly parents who formed part of the diplomat’s household prior to their departure for the UK and who are wholly dependent on the diplomat may be considered for an exempt vignette if they are living alone with no suitable living situation in their home country. All applications must be referred to DMIOU. To facilitate a decision on the case, DMIOU will require confirmation of the applicant’s financial circumstances (assets / property ownership), medical condition, whereabouts of applicant’s other children and length of time applicant has resided with the diplomat (sponsor).

Grandchildren and other family members of a diplomat accredited to the UK do not qualify for exempt vignettes. Please see OPI 438.

Any queries concerning the eligibility of dependants should be referred to DMIOU.

4.3 ECM4(c) Locally employed members of staff of a mission in the UK who were recruited outside the UK.

Where a person applies in this category but there is evidence that they have recently spent time in the UK, the ECO must be satisfied that they were resident outside the UK when they were recruited for the post. Members of their family forming part of their household are also exempt from immigration control, in line with above guidance. Members of their household include, but are not limited to, spouses, civil partners and children under 18.

Locally employed members of staff of a mission in the UK who were recruited in the UK are not exempt from immigration control.

4.4  EXM4(d) As a matter of policy, diplomats travelling through the UK to or from a country where they are accredited.

An exempt vignette should be issued valid for six months. Members of their family forming part of their household are also exempt from immigration control.

4.5  EXM4(e) Serving Government Ministers (or equivalent, such as Governor Generals) of states recognised by HMG travelling to the UK on the official business of their government.

Posts may issue two-year exempt vignettes to people in this category. Members of their family forming part of their household are also exempt from immigration control. Members of their household include, but are not limited to, spouses, civil partners and children under 18.

4.6  EXM4(f) Employees of international organisations based, or with offices, in the UK who have been recruited overseas, as well as representatives and officials of the International Organisations listed when travelling to the UK in their official capacity on the official business of that organisation.

See list of international organisations whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearance, which is available from this guidance page .

Members of their family forming part of their household are also exempt from immigration control. Members of their household include, but are not limited to, spouses, civil partners and children under 18. Dependant children over the age of 18 may also be exempt (see point EXM4(b) above).

People being posted to an international organisation in the UK should be issued an exempt vignette valid for 5 years or for the length of the posting, whichever is shorter.

Where only a short official visit is intended the exempt vignette should be valid for the period of that visit.

People intending to undertake short-term employment (“internships”) at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Commonwealth Secretariat are also exempt from immigration control.

Applications from people applying as an intern to an international organisation not provided on the list of international organisations whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearance should be referred to DMIOU Team 4 Protocol Directorate FCDO for advice.

Short-term employees (interns) should be granted an exempt vignette for the duration of their contract.

4.7  EXM4(g) Occupants of the following three senior positions of the European Union (EU), when travelling officially or privately: the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

Members of their family forming part of their household are also exempt from immigration control. Members of their household include, but are not limited to, spouses, civil partners and children under 18. Dependent children over the age of 18 may also be exempt (see point EXM4(b) above).

This exemption is only applicable to occupants of three specified posts and qualifying members of their family forming part of their household. This exemption does not automatically confer exemption from immigration control upon European Union employees or officials in any of the three roles not specified above. 

An exempt vignette issued in line with this category should be valid for 2 years or for the length of the posting, whichever is shorter.

4.8  EXM4(h) Commonwealth or Overseas Territories citizens who are selected for training in the UK Armed Services.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will normally confirm to Posts directly that an applicant has been selected. Where an applicant produces a letter from the MoD, ECOs should confirm its authenticity with the originator.

Family members of members of International Armed Forces are not exempt from immigration control.  For more information please refer to the Appendix International Forces and International Civilian Employees guidance . 

4.9  EXM4(i) Members of Commonwealth and NATO armed forces (see Visiting Forces Act for full list of countries that qualify) posted for service in the UK or attending training courses either at a military establishment or with a UK firm.

People in this category should be granted an exempt vignette valid for the period of the training or posting.

Commonwealth or Overseas Territories citizens who wish to enter the UK to attend an interview or selection test for entry into the UK Armed Services should seek leave to enter as a visitor.

4.10  EXM4(j) People serving or posted for service as a member of an international headquarters or defence organisation.

Members of international armed forces are exempt from immigration control under section 8(4)(a), (c) and (c) of the Immigration Act 1971 (the 1971 Act) as amended. 

A member of an international force is a person who is a member of a Commonwealth force or a force raised under the law of a colony, a protectorate or a protected state, who is undergoing or about to undergo training in the UK, with any body, contingent or detachment of the home forces, including relevant NATO forces; those serving or posted for service in the UK as a member of a visiting force as listed in the Visiting Forces Act 1952 (VFA), or added to the VFA through an Order of Council statutory instrument; or those serving or posted as a member of an international headquarters or defence organisation as designated by an Order of Council, including relevant NATO forces, or as a member of an international headquarters or defence organisation which is designated by Order in Council.

 People in this category should be granted an exempt vignette valid for the period of their posting in the UK. 

4.11  EXM4(k) People accepted as arms control personnel under the Vienna Document 1992 (Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe) and the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty 1992.

 People in this category should be granted an exempt vignette valid for two years.

5.  EXM5 Who is not exempt from immigration control?

5.1  (a) members of diplomatic missions based overseas who are travelling to the uk on an official visit are not exempt from immigration control..

However, diplomats on the official business of their government will be exempt from the requirement to provide biometrics as a matter of policy. Where the ECO is satisfied on the basis of the documentation submitted (normally a diplomatic passport and a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or letter from the UK Department confirming that the applicant is visiting the UK on official government business), they may waive the biometric requirement. Visas can be issued in these cases free of charge.

5.2  (b) Diplomatic Couriers are not exempt from immigration control.

However, diplomatic couriers are “inviolable” under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and therefore are not required to provide biometrics.

What is the endorsement? C: Visit - 6 months: the endorsement “diplomatic courier” should be handwritten above the entry clearance.

5.3  (c) Officials of foreign governments are not exempt from immigration control.

Officials of foreign governments will be required to provide their biometric data. This is the case even if they are travelling on the official business of their government. It may not be appropriate to charge a fee depending on the purpose of the visit.

5.4 (d) Head of States and Ministerial delegations are not exempt from immigration control.

An interim solution is in place for government officials accompanying a visiting Minister or Head of State which means they do not have to provide biometric data or pay an application fee.

5.5  (e) Domestic servants of exempt employers are not exempt from immigration control - unless they qualify under section EXM4.

People who are exempt from immigration control, including Heads of Mission, who wish to bring their private staff to the UK may do so in accordance with the Rules on ‘Private Servants in Diplomatic Households’ ( Appendix Temporary Work – International Agreement ).  for further guidance.

The only exception to this is where a servant for a Head of Mission is employed and paid directly by the sending State. Such people will be treated as exempt from immigration control.

6.  EXM6 What is a courtesy endorsement?

An additional courtesy wording can be added above or below the exempt vignette on issue of exempt entry clearance. However, these endorsements do not in themselves imply that the person is entitled to diplomatic privileges and immunities, nor do they confer any exemption from immigration control. They merely indicate an individual’s personal standing.

• ‘Diplomatic’ may be added for those in categories in EXM4 (a), (b),(c),(d),(e) and (f).
• ‘Official’ may be added for those in categories EXM4 (g), (h), (i), (j), (k).

7.  EXM7 Are unmarried partners of diplomats exempt from control?

Unmarried partners (those who are neither married nor in a partnership recognised by the Civil Partnership Act) may be recognised as ‘members of the family forming part of the household’ in certain circumstances, and where the sending state has confirmed that the relationship is durable and akin to marriage. Diplomatic missions should contact Protocol Directorate ( [email protected] ) for further advice as soon as they are notified of an intention to appoint a member of the mission who will be accompanied by an unmarried partner.

Unmarried partners of diplomats who are not exempt from immigration control, because they are from a country that does not offer reciprocal exemption for the unmarried partners of UK diplomats, may apply for UK entry clearance using the existing concession for unmarried partners. 

​Applicants do not have to satisfy the usual 2-year cohabitation condition applied to other unmarried partner applications. Successful applicants are allowed to take employment in the UK but this is not a route that can lead to settlement. Anyone granted leave to enter under the concession would be expected either to leave the UK at the end of their partner’s posting or apply for permission to stay under another immigration route. 

​In order to qualify for entry clearance under this concession the unmarried partner of a diplomat will have to show that: 

• ​the relationship is recognised as durable by the sending state
• ​the relationship is similar to marriage or a civil partnership
• ​the couple intends to live together in the UK for the duration of the posting

This application is free of charge, but the applicant must give their biometrics.

8.  EXM8 Do people who are exempt from immigration control have to pay for their entry clearance?

 Exempt vignettes are fee-free at the point of application and issue.  For those who are not exempt from immigration control, fees may apply. For more information, please see visa fees .

9.  EXM9 How to apply for an exempt vignette

Applications for exempt vignettes should be made on the relevant visa application form (VAF).

9.1  Evidence of Diplomatic Status

Diplomatic passports are not evidence of an individual’s diplomatic status as not all of those holding diplomatic passports will be exempt from immigration control. ECOs will need to judge according to local circumstances what documents are necessary in order to determine if an individual is an accredited diplomat. In some circumstances, a passport may be deemed sufficient. In others, it may be necessary to ask for some further proof from the individual. For example, this additional evidence could take the form of a Note Verbale or MFA letter confirming that the individual will be posted to the UK.

10.  EXM10 How can an exempt vignette application be refused?

It is not possible to apply the provisions of the Immigration Rules to people who are not subject to UK legislation. Any decision to deny an exempt vignette must be made in accordance with the provisions of the relevant international framework, such as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. In cases like this you must consult with DMIOU and the relevant Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s geographical department. You must include detailed reasons why it is felt that the diplomat or their dependant should not be provided with an exempt vignette.

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Everything You Need to Know About Official Visits

Going on official visits is one of the most exciting parts of the recruiting process. Not only do you have the opportunity to see a college campus in person but being invited also signifies that the coach is very interested in you as a recruit. This is your opportunity to get to know the campus, the culture, the team and the dorms and then decide if you would feel comfortable living there for the next four years.

Quick Links

What is an official visit.

So, what makes a visit official? Any visit to a college campus in which any part is financed by the school is considered an official visit. Coaches usually save invitations for their top recruits and getting asked is a huge step on your recruiting journey. It’s important to prepare in advance for this crucial part of the recruiting process. We’ve put together everything you need to know to ace your next official visit.

NCAA official visit rules

Each division level has its own set of rules surrounding official college visits. Division I has the strictest regulations. The following are the rules you need to know:

• The NCAA allows recruits an unlimited number of official visits to Division I schools. Recruits are limited to one per school, unless there is a head coaching change after their visit, in which they are permitted a second visit. Visits to Division II and Division III schools are unlimited.
• The school can pay for the following for you and your parents/guardians: transportation to and from the campus, lodging throughout your visit, three meals per day and three tickets to a home sports event.
• Schools may pay for a recruit’s transportation to and from campus. However, they can only provide transportation for parent/guardians if they travel in the same car as the recruit. Flights and separate bus or train tickets may not be purchased for parents.
• At all levels, recruits can take only one official visit per school.
• Each official visit may be up to 48 hours long, or the span of one weekend.
• D1 men’s ice hockey recruits can begin taking official visits as early as August 1 of their junior year in high school.
• D1 football recruits can begin taking official visits starting April 1 of their junior year of high school.
• D1 women’s basketball recruits may begin taking official visits in April of their junior year of high school, beginning the Thursday following the Women’s Final Four tournament.
• D1 lacrosse, softball and baseball recruits may begin taking official visits September 1 of their junior year of high school.
• For all other DI sports, recruits can begin taking official visits starting August 1 before the athlete’s junior year of high school.
• Official visits are not allowed to occur during recruiting dead periods.

Within these official rules, each school will have a slightly different way in which they conduct visits. Some schools will be able to finance your whole trip, paying for transportation, meals, lodging and tickets to a home game. But this is the maximum of what colleges can provide for their recruits. Some programs simply may not have the money to pay for your entire visit, opting to finance just a small portion of your visit. An official visit can also include having an on-campus lunch or dinner that is purchased by the coach. It doesn’t have to last the full 48 hours—again, that’s the maximum amount but not a requirement.

Generally speaking, the more money a coach spends on your official visit, the higher up on their list you are as a recruit. However, that’s not a reason to discount a program that’s trying to recruit on a budget. If you’re interested in a school, official visits can be the last piece of the puzzle to help you understand if it’s your best college fit.

What are the new recruiting rules around official visits?

Effective on April 13, 2023, the NCAA Division I Council announced that they will no longer limit the number of official visits recruits can make to NCAA member schools. Starting July 1, 2023, recruits are permitted an unlimited number of official visits to Division I schools, unless there is a head coaching change post-visit, in which case recruit is allowed to complete a second official visit to the same school. For men’s basketball, prospects still will be able to complete a second official visit to the same school, as long as it do not occur in the same academic year.

Effective May 1, 2019, the NCAA created a series of updated recruiting rules to slow down the recruiting process and cut back on the number of recruits getting verbal offers as eighth graders, freshmen and sophomores in high school. Athletes will now have more time to research colleges and focus on developing athletically and academically. Then, as juniors and seniors in high school, they will be better equipped to decide which college or university is right for them.

According to the new rules, DI recruits in most sports can now start taking official and unofficial visits starting August 1 before their junior year of high school. In the past, official visits weren’t permitted until the athlete’s senior year of high school and there were no restrictions on unofficial visits. While this is exciting news for recruits eager to visit campuses, these rule changes will also likely put more emphasis on athletes and families needing to be proactive early in the recruiting process. With top prospects being offered official visits their junior year, this means even more schools can lock down their recruiting classes early. As a recruit, you need to start the recruiting process as early as possible so you’re ready for official visit invites August 1 before junior year.

How does an official visit work?

Depending on the sport and division level, athletes can begin taking official visits junior year. A coach may extend an official visit offer to recruits during a phone call, email, text or direct message. Once a coach invites you, grab your family schedule and work out a weekend to take the trip.

While receiving an invite does indicate you are at the top of a coach’s recruiting list, it doesn’t mean you’ve locked in your spot just yet. This means the coach will be evaluating you during your entire official visit. Most importantly, visits are a great way for coaches to get a better understanding of your personality and character. They want to see if you are a recruit who will be a positive asset to their team and the school.

To learn more, check out our video on  how to schedule your visits , where NCSA recruiting experts share what you can expect. This includes what travel expenses might be covered by the program, activities that coaches use to introduce you to the team and campus, and what coaches expect from recruits during a visit. 

Insider Tip : Coaches will look at how you interact with your parents—are you respectful, courteous and kind? Or, do you brush them off and behave rudely? Do you answer the coaches’ questions thoughtfully or do you give one-word responses? While it may be intimidating to visit a college campus and get evaluated by the coaches throughout, it’s important to make an effort to put your best foot forward.

How to prepare for your official visit

Because official visits are more formal than unofficial visits, there’s a bit more prep work required from athletes before the visit takes place. Follow this checklist to make sure you’ve covered all your bases:

• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center . Before your visit, the coach needs to know that you are eligible to actually compete at their school. If you’re visiting Division I and Division II schools, you need to get a Certification Account . Make sure that your parent/guardian is with you as you sign up, because there is a fee involved. This is a good step to take your sophomore year of high school, so you’re ready to start taking official visits your junior year. If you’re visiting a Division III school, sign up for an NCAA Profile page, which is the free version of the Certification Account. You only need a Certification Account if you’re actively getting recruited by Division I and/or Division II colleges. When you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center , you will receive your NCAA ID number. Many coaches will ask for your NCAA ID number before your official visit.
• Have the coach add you to the Institutional Request List. This is another formality to ensure that you are eligible to compete at an NCAA school. Request that the coach add you to the IRL list, which will put your Eligibility Center application on a fast track to get cleared. Because the NCAA receives so many requests through its Eligibility Center, the Institutional Request List serves to make sure athletes who need to be cleared quickly will be.
• Send the admissions office your transcript and a standardized test score. If you’ve already registered with the Eligibility Center, the school should be able to access your transcript and test scores. However, this step helps the admissions office ensure that your academic criteria are up to the standards of that school, while the NCAA Eligibility Center ensures that you’ve met the academic requirements mandated by the NCAA to compete in college sports.
• Know how you will respond if you receive an offer. As mentioned earlier, offers are not guaranteed during official visits, but they do happen. To avoid freezing on the spot, go into your official visit with a game plan for how you will respond. If this is your top school and you’ve visited the other colleges you’re interested in, it might make sense to say yes as soon as possible. However, if you have other schools on your list, you can ask the coach when the offer will expire.

• Put together your list of questions for the coach. During your official visit, you will have a chance to get all your questions answered, so take advantage of this opportunity. Sit down with your parents before the visit and brainstorm all your questions. Write down your questions for the coach and bring the list with you. This way, you don’t forget an important topic and you can impress the coach with your preparedness.

Read more: How to Maximize Your Summer Visits

Do parents go on official visits?

Parents are invited to go on official visits. The school can pay for three meals per day and tickets to a home sports match. However, the school is only allowed to pay for their transportation to and from campus if the parents are traveling in the same car as the recruit. Flights and separate bus or train tickets may not be purchased for parents. Parents have a very specific role throughout the official visit: Let the athlete be the focus of the experience.

For some parents, it might be hard to let go and allow their student-athlete to take center stage during this visit. However, parents should let their athlete ask questions and take control of the conversation. Give them an opportunity to hold a candid, uninterrupted conversation with the coach. Allow them to make their own opinions about the school before injecting your point of view. When the conversation turns to finances, scholarships and paying for college, this is where coaches typically expect parents to jump in .

For more on the topic, check out the video below featuring former sports broadcaster David Kmiecik and D1 and D3 swim coach Danny Koenig.

Read more:   Recruiting Tips for Parents

What happens on an official visit?

While every official visit will be slightly different, recruits can expect that the trip will include a campus tour. This is your chance to familiarize yourself with the campus and ask yourself if you would enjoy living there for four years. As you tour the campus, take notes. When you’re trying to remember what you liked—and didn’t like—about each of the schools you visited, you can refer back to your notes to help jog your memory about the trip. Use the following checklist to make sure you hit all the key spots on campus:

• Check out the library and sit in on a class.
• Visit the different housing options, both on and off campus.
• Meet your future training staff.
• Eat in the school cafeteria or food court.
• Set up a meeting with an academic adviser.
• Hang out on the campus grounds.
• Stay off your phone and experience the campus.

Coaches typically will want you to meet a few members of the team—or the whole team—to see how your chemistry checks out. You may also be invited to participate in a workout or another team activity. According to NCAA rules, however, any kind of workout you attend on an official visit cannot be organized by the coach or coaching staff. Typically, the workout will be led by the team’s captains. Take this opportunity to see if you connect with your potential teammates.

Questions to expect from the coach on your official visit

You will also likely get some one-on-one time with the coach. This is a chance for you to ask any final questions that you have. Before your visit, write down some questions and keep adding to the list so you have something to go off of when you sit down with the coach. The coach will also probably have some questions for you, too. Here are just a few examples of questions to expect from a coach during your visit:

• “What other schools are recruiting you?” Be honest here and tell the coach other schools you’re actively talking to. If it’s true, list schools that are rivals with or comparable to the school you’re visiting. This will make the coach want you on their team even more.
• “What other colleges are you visiting?” Again, it’s important to be honest. If you have—or haven’t—visited any other schools yet, let them know.
• “When can you commit?” While getting invited on an official visit doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get an offer, it certainly does happen. If this is your number one school and you have a good feeling about it, this might be the right time to lock down a commitment. If you have any other schools to visit before you make your decision, that’s OK, too. Simply make an educated guess when you think you will know. Ask the coach how long the offer stands and when they would like to know your answer.

Some coaches will arrange for you and your parents to attend a home sporting event. They might also have a teammate take you to dinner or walk you around campus again. Plus, you’ll get some free time to explore the area and learn more about the school.

What to bring on an official visit

A lot of recruits ask us what to wear on an official visit, and our best piece of advice is to err on the side of overdressing, rather than underdressing. You want to look neat and clean throughout your entire trip. For men, bring a collared shirt with nice jeans or khakis. For women, a skirt, dress, nice slacks or jeans are acceptable. Avoid wearing sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, flip flops and ripped jeans. Bring athletic clothes and shoes in case you get invited to work out with the team.

As mentioned before, it’s a great idea to come with some questions for the coach. When the moment comes to ask your questions, it’s easy to freeze up and forget them all. Having them written down will ensure you get the answers you need, plus it will show the coach that you are organized and responsible. Make sure you do your homework and read up on the school, too.

Your follow-up after the visit

Have you ever heard that the follow-up is the most important part? After each visit, make sure you follow up with the coach. Send them a “thank you” note, thanking them for their time and telling them some of your favorite parts of the visit. You can also let the coach know where you’ll be competing next if they’d like to watch you in person. The follow-up shows the coach you’re a thoughtful, courteous athlete, and it also keeps you top-of-mind as they assemble their roster.

Overall, enjoy your visit! This is your chance to get the “red carpet” treatment and get a taste of what life at that college will be like.

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