Long term visit visa

[Hector]

Hi All,
Just wondering if someone on a long term visit visa (say 5 years) is allowed to stay more than 6 months (e.g. 4 + 4 in two visits) in a calendar year? I've asked this question to VFS and Home Office people and got conflicting answers.

VFS UK : Yes
Home Office : No

Can somebody with first hand experience reply please.

Cheers,
Hector

[Wanderer]

Yes and No.

The key is genuine visitor, u have to prove u are one, if the IO thinks not - boing!, back u go!

For most people even a six week holiday is an impossibility, so a six month plus one is going to raise eyebrows...

[UKBAbble]

Someone staying that long has arguably tranferred their residence to the UK.

[Hector]

>> Someone staying that long has arguably tranferred their residence to the UK.

Yes and No

One could have parents visiting (and this might again be hard to digest for some and pretty much plausible for others) to lend some support in events like child birth or some accident etc.

Anyway, All I wanted to know was if it’s legally possible or not.

Thanks,
Hector

[lionfly]

I am looking for the confirmation answer as well.

My parents are with my family (wife, kids) on a 5-year visit visa, with the 180 days restriction. I hope my parents are with me all the time when I am in UK on 5-year work visa.

I wonder whether I can arrange my parents to travel to France for several days, then come back for another 180 maximum, and then travel to Spain etc., and come back to UK for another 180 maximum, and so on.

From the law point of view, as long as you do not stay more than 180 days in one go, it is fine, no matter how you achieve this. The immigration control custom should NOT refuse entry.

It should be maximum 180 days in one visit, NOT 180 days in a calender year, or financial year.

Any one has experiences or official answer from Home Office IND please?

[Wanderer]

I am looking for the confirmation answer as well.

My parents are with my family (wife, kids) on a 5-year visit visa, with the 180 days restriction. I hope my parents are with me all the time when I am in UK on 5-year work visa.

I wonder whether I can arrange my parents to travel to France for several days, then come back for another 180 maximum, and then travel to Spain etc., and come back to UK for another 180 maximum, and so on.

From the law point of view, as long as you do not stay more than 180 days in one go, it is fine, no matter how you achieve this. The immigration control custom should NOT refuse entry.

No way is that being a genuine visitor, they're guaranteed to get bounced and possibly banned.

Again - the key is genuine visitor, sounds like ur parents are living here which a blatant abuse of the visitor visa.

[Casa]

I agree with Wanderer on this one. The 180 day rule refers to maximum stay in 12 months. No good popping out and popping back in again to start another 180....or they'll pop you back off home....and that won't be the UK home.

[sjohnson2]

thought this info may be of help:
The Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate website http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk contains the most up-to-date version of the Immigration Rules and the various policy instructions which the Home Office uses to guide themselves when interpreting the law and reaching decisions on cases. Application forms can also be downloaded from the Home Office site.

The UK Visas website http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk is also useful in providing guidance to those who wish to apply for entry clearance from abroad. Visa applications forms can also be downloaded form this site. The contact details of the various British embassies and High Commissions abroad can also be found on this site.
Sam

[Frontier Mole]

This is the extract from the IDI's

4. FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF VISITS
IDI/ Feb 2006
There is no restriction on the number of visits a person may make to the
United Kingdom nor any requirement that a specified time must elapse
between successive visits. The fact that a person has made a series of visits with only brief intervals between them would not, in the absence of any other relevant factors, constitute sufficient ground for refusal.

It is reasonable, however, for the immigration officer to consider the stated purpose of the visit in the light of the length of time that has elapsed since previous visits. A visitor should not, for example, normally spend more than 6 out of any 12 months in this country (but see Section 3 of this chapter in the case of visitors for private medical treatment).

Occasionally, a business visitor may require to stay for a period of weeks or even months (eg where machinery is being installed or faults being diagnosed and corrected). The immigration officer should be satisfied, however, that a person's presence here on business for more than 6 out of any 12 months does not mean that he is basing himself here and holding down a specific post which constitutes employment requiring a work permit.

[lionfly]

I know that Schengen countries do not issue Schengen visa to 6-month UK-visit visa holders, who have to apply for Schengen visa from their home country.

But do they issue Schengen visa to 5-year UK-visit visa holders?

[86ti]

I know that Schengen countries do not issue Schengen visa to 6-month UK-visit visa holders, who have to apply for Schengen visa from their home country.

But do they issue Schengen visa to 5-year UK-visit visa holders?

It is still a visit visa. The general policy is to issue Schengen visa only to legal residents.