Leave to enter

Leave to enter is permission for entry to the United Kingdom granted by British immigration officers.
According to the United Kingdom Border Agency, a person who is not a British citizen or a Commonwealth citizen with the right of abode in the UK, requires leave to enter the United Kingdom.
Leave to enter grants a person subject to immigration control permission to enter Britain for a limited period only, subject to a number of conditions:
The time limit of any leave to enter depends upon individual circumstances and is provided to the applicant in person.
A person who has been granted leave to enter does not necessarily have the automatic right to enter Britain. The ultimate decision of entry is made by an immigration officer at the port of entry under paragraph 2A of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971.
Leave to enter is required at any point of entry, including through the Channel Tunnel.