Can I enter UK as a tourist before my Visa starts?

[ajackett]

Hi everyone,

Just a query which I haven't really been able to find a clear answer for so I thought I'd spell out my situation here.

I'm going to the UK on an Ancestry Visa (from Aus), and it will be valid from mid-august 2011. My query is however, will I still be able to enter the UK on 20 July 2011, before my Ancestry Visa start date? I will be flying back out on the 22nd July to Greece and returning to the UK after my visa starts (around 30th August).

The only thing I could really find on the UK Visa site were the FAQ's which highlighted the following... But I'm not really sure if this applies in this case.

Can I have more than one visa? wrote:
It is not possible to hold more than one visa or entry clearance. If your circumstances change you should always inform the Home Office before you leave the UK so that your permission to stay can be curtailed. Once your permission to stay has been curtailed you will be able to apply for a new visa overseas.

All help appreciated!

[geriatrix]

4. If you tried to enter the UK as a visitor before the start date of the visa you could be refused entry. If permitted entry yes have to leave and come back to validate the ancestry visa.

Although non-visa nationals do not normally need visit visas, they are not guaranteed entry into the UK. Visitors must satisfy a UK Border Agency officer that they meet certain visitor requirements and may need to show the officer certain documents in support of their request to enter the UK. Information about visitor requirements and documents can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

[ajackett]

4. If you tried to enter the UK as a visitor before the start date of the visa you could be refused entry. If permitted entry yes have to leave and come back to validate the ancestry visa.

Although non-visa nationals do not normally need visit visas, they are not guaranteed entry into the UK. Visitors must satisfy a UK Border Agency officer that they meet certain visitor requirements and may need to show the officer certain documents in support of their request to enter the UK. Information about visitor requirements and documents can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

Thanks, so essentially there is the chance that I would be turned away, but if I provided evidence to support my entry into the UK, such as details of my flight to Athens two days later, this would probably be ok? And explain that I was coming back to UK in August once my Visa has started?

Cheers!

[INSIDER]

Hi everyone,

Just a query which I haven't really been able to find a clear answer for so I thought I'd spell out my situation here.

I'm going to the UK on an Ancestry Visa (from Aus), and it will be valid from mid-august 2011. My query is however, will I still be able to enter the UK on 20 July 2011, before my Ancestry Visa start date? I will be flying back out on the 22nd July to Greece and returning to the UK after my visa starts (around 30th August).

The only thing I could really find on the UK Visa site were the FAQ's which highlighted the following... But I'm not really sure if this applies in this case.

Can I have more than one visa? wrote:
It is not possible to hold more than one visa or entry clearance. If your circumstances change you should always inform the Home Office before you leave the UK so that your permission to stay can be curtailed. Once your permission to stay has been curtailed you will be able to apply for a new visa overseas.

All help appreciated!

As you hold a UK ancestry visa I cannot see you having any problem whatsoever in entering the UK as a VISITOR in the circumstances you have just described. Trust me, I speak as a border immigration officer.