Leave outside the Immigration Rules: caseworker guidance
Immigration staff guidance on dealing with applications to grant leave outside the Immigration Rules.
Documents
Details
UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff on when it may be appropriate to exercise discretion to grant leave outside the Immigration Rules (LOTR) on the basis of compelling compassionate grounds (other than family and private life, medical, asylum or protection grounds).
Updates to this page
Published 2 December 2013
Last updated 305 August 2023
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Update history
2025-11-24 16:56
Updated references to Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules, previously known as Part 9: Grounds for Refusal.
2025-08-05 01:00
Guidance updated to improve consistency of terms used and establish that applicants overseas should not use the UK / European Applicant Transfer Scheme expression of interest application form to apply for LOTR.
2025-07-24 09:50
Added accessible HTML version of guidance.
2025-07-11 16:07
Guidance updated with the following: provided more details on compelling compassionate grounds; provided more details on the length of stay and conditions associated with a grant of LOTR; provided details to reflect LOTR cannot be applied for overseas through an application form which is not for entry clearance, including Non-Suspensive Appeal (NSA) and Transfer of Conditions / Temporary Visa to Enter the UK forms; removed information on Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
2023-08-30 10:11
Updated the guidance to correct wording which does not align with AUK application form.
2023-01-25 15:32
Accessible version added.
2022-03-09 14:12
Updated to clarify that an application for entry clearance, or for leave to enter or remain outside the Immigration Rules cannot be made on an Afghanistan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) application form.
Details
UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff on when it may be appropriate to exercise discretion to grant leave outside the Immigration Rules (LOTR) on the basis of compelling compassionate grounds (other than family and private life, medical, asylum or protection grounds).
Updates to this page
Published 2 December 2013
Last updated 305 August 2023
+ show2025
href="#full-history">+ show all updates
-
Update history
2025-11-24 16:56
Updated references to Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules, previously known as Part 9: Grounds for Refusal.
2025-08-05 01:00
Guidance updated to improve consistency of terms used and establish that applicants overseas should not use the UK / European Applicant Transfer Scheme expression of interest application form to apply for LOTR.
2025-07-24 09:50
Added accessible HTML version of guidance.
2025-07-11 16:07
Guidance updated with the following: provided more details on compelling compassionate grounds; provided more details on the length of stay and conditions associated with a grant of LOTR; provided details to reflect LOTR cannot be applied for overseas through an application form which is not for entry clearance, including Non-Suspensive Appeal (NSA) and Transfer of Conditions / Temporary Visa to Enter the UK forms; removed information on Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
2023-08-30 10:11
Updated the guidance to correct wording which does not align with AUK application form.
2023-01-25 15:32
Accessible version added.
2022-03-09 14:12
Updated to clarify that an application for entry clearance, or for leave to enter or remain outside the Immigration Rules cannot be made on an Afghanistan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) application form.
Details
UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff on when it may be appropriate to exercise discretion to grant leave outside the Immigration Rules (LOTR) on the basis of compelling compassionate grounds (other than family and private life, medical, asylum or protection grounds).
Updates to this page
Update history
2025-11-24 16:56
Updated references to Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules, previously known as Part 9: Grounds for Refusal.
2025-08-05 01:00
Guidance updated to improve consistency of terms used and establish that applicants overseas should not use the UK / European Applicant Transfer Scheme expression of interest application form to apply for LOTR.
2025-07-24 09:50
Added accessible HTML version of guidance.
2025-07-11 16:07
Guidance updated with the following: provided more details on compelling compassionate grounds; provided more details on the length of stay and conditions associated with a grant of LOTR; provided details to reflect LOTR cannot be applied for overseas through an application form which is not for entry clearance, including Non-Suspensive Appeal (NSA) and Transfer of Conditions / Temporary Visa to Enter the UK forms; removed information on Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
2023-08-30 10:11
Updated the guidance to correct wording which does not align with AUK application form.
2023-01-25 15:32
Accessible version added.
2022-03-09 14:12
Updated to clarify that an application for entry clearance, or for leave to enter or remain outside the Immigration Rules cannot be made on an Afghanistan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) application form.