What are qualifying times and entry times, and which times count?

Each meet's conditions list the times a swimmer must be inside to enter. Under Swim England's Open Meet Licensing Criteria:

• Level 1 and 2 meets need a minimum qualifying time. The entry time must be checkable in the British Rankings.
• Level 3 meets set upper cut-off times (so faster swimmers can't enter) and may also set lower qualifying times. Swimmers need an entry time inside those limits, but it doesn't have to come from Rankings unless the meet conditions say so.
• Level 4 meets are for inexperienced swimmers and those trying competition outside their own club.

Which times count for championships:

Times swum at Level 4 meets are never accepted for regional or national events.