Content style guide

This style guide is specific to the Home Office to help make our language clear and consistent for all our users. Refer to the GDS style guide for style, spelling and grammar conventions across GOV.UK.

A

abroad

'Abroad' and 'overseas' can cause confusion. Try to use plain English. For example, 'apply from outside the UK' or 'working in another country'.

account

Use 'create' instead of 'register' or 'set up' when you want people to create an account. 'Create an account' tested well in user research and is used by other government departments.

acronyms

Write out an acronym in full the first time you use it on a new page or screen, unless it is well known to your users, like UK, US or NHS. Research has found that some users struggle to remember the meaning of an acronym they saw on a previous screen. For example, write 'biometric residence permit (BRP)' on each screen of your service at first mention and use 'BRP' if it appears again on the same screen. If available, use a tooltip like acronym Markdown to make the acronym appear in full as hover text. See more guidance on abbreviations and acronyms in the GOV.UK style guide.

alter

Use 'change' rather than 'alter', 'modify' or 'switch'.

authorising officer

Lower case. You can use the initials 'AO' after the first full mention.

asylum claimant

You can use either 'asylum claimant' or 'asylum applicant' to describe someone who has applied for asylum in the UK. Do not use both in the same product or service.

B

biometric passport

Use 'passport' if the type of passport does not matter. When referring to passports with a chip, use 'biometric passport' instead of 'ePassport'.

biometrics

When using ‘biometrics’ or ‘biometric information’ in public-facing services, explain what it means first. For example, ‘you'll be asked to provide your fingerprints and photo (biometric information)’.

biometric residence permit (BRP)

Lower case. You can use the initials ‘BRP’ after the first full mention.

biometric residence card (BRC)

Lower case. You can use the initials ‘BRC’ after the first full mention. Also called a ‘UK residence card’ or ‘EEA biometric residence card’.

Border Force

Capitalised.

border control

Use 'border control' rather than 'passport control' or 'primary control point'.

British citizen

British citizen is one of 6 different types of British nationality. Do not use 'UK citizen'.

British nationality

There are 6 different types of British nationality. These are British citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, British subject, British national (overseas) and British protected person.

British national (overseas)

Use 'British national (overseas)' when referring to people, as in 'she is a British national (overseas)'. When referring to the visa, use 'British National (Overseas) visa', which can be abbreviated to 'BNO visa'. For example, 'apply for a British National (Overseas) visa'.

British overseas territories

Write 'overseas territories' in lower case.

British overseas territories citizen

Write 'overseas territories citizen' in lower case.

C

capital letters

See guidance on capitalisation in the GOV.UK style guide.

casework

Not ‘case work’.

caseworker

Not ‘case worker’.

certificate of sponsorship (CoS)

Lower case. You can use the acronym ‘CoS’ after the first full mention.

check

Consider using ‘check’ instead of ‘verify’ if you are asking users to check the accuracy of something. For example, ‘check your answers' or ‘check a passport number'

clandestine

Do not refer to people as 'a clandestine' or 'clandestine entrant'. Try to be specific, like 'a person hidden in a vehicle, ship or plane'.

click

Use 'select' rather than 'click' or 'tap' because not everyone uses a mouse.

Common Travel Area (CTA)

Capitalised. You can use the initials ‘CTA’ after the first full mention.

confirm

Consider using 'confirm' or 'prove' instead of 'validate' if you are asking users to provide additional evidence. For example, 'confirm your identity' or 'prove your status’.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Capitalised. You can use the acronym ‘CAS’ after the first full mention.

consignee

Consignee is not plain English. Some users confuse 'consignee' with 'consignor'. If you need to use consignee, use it with 'recipient'. For example, recipient (consignee).

consignor

Consignor is not plain English. Some users confuse 'consignor' with 'consignee'. If you need to use consignor, use it with 'sender'. For example, sender (consignor).

contractions

Avoid all contractions, including positive contractions like 'we'll', 'you've' or 'they're', if your users are not fluent in English. Research shows that contractions make content difficult to understand for people with limited fluency. See general guidance on contractions in the GOV.UK style guide.

correct

Use ‘correct’ rather than ‘right’. For example, ‘select the correct settlement route’.

correspondence

Correspondence is not plain English. Try to be specific such as ‘postal address’, ‘contact address’ or ‘email address’. For example, ‘is this the family’s postal address?’

countersignatory

'Countersignatory' is not plain English. Instead, try 'the person who can confirm your identity' or 'you must have your application signed by someone else'.

criminal justice system

Lower case.

customer

Avoid calling the people who use our services ‘customers’. Keep it simple and use ‘you’. If you need to describe the user, try to be specific, like ‘asylum seeker’, ‘applicant’ or ‘claimant’.

customs

Use 'customs' rather than 'secondary control'. For example, 'customs regulations' or 'customs allowances'.

customs officer

Use ‘Border Force officer’ rather than 'customs officer' unless you have a specific reason.

D

DBS adult first

Use lower case for 'adult first'.

DBS adults barred list

Use lower case for 'adults barred list'.

DBS certificate

Use ‘DBS certificate’ rather than 'DBS disclosure'.

DBS checking service

Use ‘DBS checking service’ rather than 'DBS disclosure service'.

DBS children’s barred list

Use lower case for ‘children’s barred list’.

decision maker

Lower case.

decision making unit (DMU)

Lower case. You can use the initials 'DMU' after the first full mention.

dependant

Noun. For example, 'a dependant', 'a child dependant' or 'are there any dependants on this application?'.

dependent

Adjective. For example, ‘I am dependent on the main applicant’ or ‘dependent children are not required to apply at the same time’.

deportation

Not a synonym for ‘removal’. ‘Deportation’ is the forced removal of someone for the ‘public good’, usually after being convicted of a criminal offence.

digital status

Avoid using 'digital status' in public-facing services. Instead use 'eVisa' or 'online immigration status'. For example, 'view and prove your online immigration status (eVisa)'.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Capitalised. You can use the initials ‘DBS’ after the first full mention.

E

EEA biometric residence card

Lower case. Also called a 'UK residence card' or 'biometric residence card (BRC)'.

eGates

When using 'eGates' with the public, explain what it means the first time you use it. For example, 'you will have the option of using an eGate (electronic passport gate)'.

electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

Lower case. You can use the acronym 'ETA' after the first full mention.

enhanced DBS check

Use 'enhanced DBS check' rather than 'enhanced disclosure'.

ePassport

Use 'passport' if the type of passport does not matter. When referring to passports with a chip, use 'biometric passport' instead of 'ePassport'.

EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Capitalised. You can use the initials 'EUSS' after the first full mention.

eVisa

When using 'eVisa' in public-facing services, explain what it means. For example, 'view and prove your online immigration status (eVisa)'.

F

finger scan

Not a synonym for 'fingerprint'. Fingers are 'scanned' and the results are called 'fingerprints'.

G

gender

Find out how to ask users for their gender in the Home Office sex and gender pattern.

General Register Office (GRO)

Capitalised. It is 'register' not 'registry'. You can use the initials 'GRO' after the first full mention.

GOV.UK

All upper case.

H

His Majesty’s

Use ‘HM’ rather than ‘His Majesty’s’ in front of the name of the relevant public body. For example, 'HM Revenue & Customs'.

HM Passport Office

Capitalised. Do not use ‘HMPO’ in public-facing services.

Home Office reference number

Use lower case for ‘reference number’.

I

immigration adviser

An immigration expert regulated by the OISC who advises on issues like visas, citizenship, employment, asylum and deportation. Some are qualified to represent clients at immigration tribunals and court hearings.

immigration bail

Lower case.

immigration health surcharge (IHS)

Lower case. You can use ‘IHS’ after the first full mention.

immigration officer

Use ‘Border Force officer’ rather than ‘immigration officer’. Only use ‘immigration officer’ if you have a specific reason.

Immigration Rules

Capitalised. After first mention, you can refer to ‘the rules’, using lower case.

inclusive language

Read our guidance on using inclusive language in the Home Office design system.

indefinite leave to enter or remain

'Indefinite leave to enter' and 'indefinite leave to remain' are officially called 'settlement'. For example, 'apply for UK settlement'.

J

K

King’s Speech

Capitalised.

L

leave to enter

Use 'permission to enter' instead of 'leave to enter' or 'limited leave to enter', which are no longer in official use. For example, 'apply for permission to enter the UK'. For 'indefinite leave to enter' see settlement.

leave to remain

Use 'permission to stay' instead of 'leave to remain' or 'limited leave to remain', which are no longer in official use. For example, 'apply for permission to stay in the UK'. For 'indefinite leave to remain' see settlement.

letter of authority

Lower case.

Life in the UK Test

Capitalise the ‘L’ and ‘T’. After first mention, you can refer to ‘the test’, using lower case.

log in

Use 'sign in' rather than 'log in' or 'login'. Use 'sign in to' rather than 'sign into'.

M

migrant

Avoid using 'migrants'. Try to be specific, such as ‘applicant’, ‘claimant’, ‘employee’ or ‘worker’. If you cannot be specific, use ‘people’.

ministers

See guidance on using titles in the GOV.UK style guide.

N

naturalisation

Naturalisation is a legal process someone goes through to become a British citizen. For example, 'apply for a certificate of naturalisation'.

notification

Avoid using 'notification' or 'notify'. Try to be specific about contact, such as, 'we will send you an email' or 'how do you want to be contacted?'.

O

online status

Avoid using 'online status' or 'digital status' when referring to someone’s immigration status. Use 'online immigration status' instead.

P

passport control

Use 'passport control' or 'border control' with the general public rather than 'primary control point (PCP)'.

people

Use 'people' as a plural of person, rather than 'persons' or 'individuals'.

permission to enter

permission to stay

persons

Use ‘people’ rather than ‘persons’.

please

Use 'please' sparingly. See guidance in Writing for user interfaces on GOV.UK.

points-based system

Lower case and hyphenate 'points-based'.

Police National Computer (PNC)

Upper case. You can use 'PNC' after the first full mention.

postal

Use 'postal address' rather than 'correspondence' if you mean letters. For example, 'is this the family's postal address?'

primary control point (PCP)

A term widely used by Border Force to describe the immigration control area where passengers present their travel documents. Do not use 'primary control point' with the general public. Use 'border control' or 'passport control' instead.

prove

Consider using 'confirm' or 'prove' instead of 'validate' if you are asking users to provide additional evidence. For example, 'confirm your identity' or 'prove your status'.

purdah

Use 'pre-election period' rather than 'purdah'.

Q

quotes and speech marks

See guidance on quotes and speech marks in the GOV.UK style guide.

R

refugee

Only use refugee to describe an asylum claimant who has been granted refugee status.

rank (police and armed forces)

Capitalise the rank before the name, as in 'Detective Inspector Joan Smith'. Use lower case when it follows the name, as in 'Joan Smith, a detective inspector'.

register

Use 'create' instead of 'register' or 'set up' when you want people to create an account. 'Create an account' tested well in user research and is used by other government departments.

right

Use ‘correct’ rather than ‘right’. For example, ‘Select the correct settlement route’.

S

secondary control

Use ‘customs’ rather than 'secondary control'. For example, 'customs regulations' or 'customs allowances'.

select

Use ‘select’ rather than ‘click’ or ‘tap’ because not everyone uses a mouse.

senior civil service (SCS)

Lower case. You can use ‘SCS’ after the first full mention.

settlement

'Indefinite leave to remain' and 'indefinite leave to enter' are officially called 'settlement'. For example, 'apply for UK settlement'.

set up

Use 'create' instead of 'register' or 'set up' when you want people to create an account. 'Create an account' tested well in user research and is used by other government departments.

sex

Find out how to ask users for their sex in the Home Office sex and gender pattern.

sign in

Use 'sign in’ rather than 'log in' or 'login'. Use 'sign in to' rather than 'sign into'.

Lower case. A company or person sponsoring an individual to work in the UK and supporting their visa application.

sponsorship reference number

Lower case.

sorry

Avoid using 'sorry'. See guidance in Writing for user interfaces on GOV.UK.

Sovereign Base Areas

Capitalised. You can use 'SBA' after the first full mention.

T

thank you

Use 'thank you' sparingly. See guidance in Writing for user interfaces on GOV.UK.

U

UK residence card

Lower case. Also called a 'biometric residence card (BRC)' or 'EEA biometric residence card'.

UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)

UKVCAS service points are located in the UK, whereas visa application centres are outside the UK. You can use 'UKVCAS' after the first full mention.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

Capitalised. Use 'and' not '&'. You can use the initials 'UKVI' after the first full mention.

unique application number (UAN)

Lower case. You can use the initials 'UAN' after the first full mention.

user centred

Hyphenate when using as an adjective, as in 'user-centred design'. Do not hyphenate when using as a noun, as in 'teams need to be user centred'.

V

validate

Consider using 'confirm' or 'prove' instead of 'validate' if you are asking users to provide additional evidence. For example, 'confirm your identity' or 'prove your status'.

verify

Consider using 'check' instead of 'verify' if you are asking users to check the accuracy of something. For example, 'check your answers' or 'check a passport number'.

visa

Use 'visa' rather than terms like 'route'. For example, use 'graduate visa' rather than 'graduate route'.

visa application centre (VAC)

Visa application centres (VAC) are located outside the UK whereas UKVCAS service points are in the UK. Use upper case when referring to UK VACs, as in 'find a UK Visa Application Centre'. Do not use 'visa section', 'visa processing post' or 'visa issuing office'.

W

watchlist

Lower case and one word.

X

Y

Z

Help improve this guide

To contribute, send your request to ucdops@homeoffice.gov.uk, or add it to the GitHub discussion.