My wife currently holds a 2 year validity UK visit visa which is due to expire in June 2021. We plan to travel back to the UK for an extended period, 5 months from next May. Are UK issued visit visas the same as Thai ones where as long as you enter before the expiry date you will be granted the full 180 days or will she only be granted entry until the expiry date on the visa? If that is the case, then is it possible to apply for a new visit visa before the old one expires? Thanks in advance.

No, visa holders must leave the UK on or before the expiry date printed on the Visa, but yes she can apply for a new visa before the old one expires before she leaves home.

9 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

No, visa holders must leave the UK on or before the expiry date printed on the Visa, but yes she can apply for a new visa before the old one expires.

As far as I know this is correct......your only hope is if covid is still rampant (covid20 that is) and you are granted an extension OR, and you need to check this out, you can pay in the UK to extend the visa...not sure how much or for how long....but pretty sure it is (or was) an option at one time.

 

Edit.   https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/extend-your-visa

55 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

As far as I know this is correct......your only hope is if covid is still rampant (covid20 that is) and you are granted an extension OR, and you need to check this out, you can pay in the UK to extend the visa...not sure how much or for how long....but pretty sure it is (or was) an option at one time.

 

Edit.   https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/extend-your-visa

 

That isn't the appropriate route for the OP and costs £993, Covid overstay schemes has come to an end for those stuck in the UK as a result of Covid, though those who genuinly cannot return home can apply on a case by case basis.

 

None of these routes apply to the OP's wife, she should just apply for a new visa before she leaves. 

Thanks for the info guys, i'll arrange to apply for a new visa in this case,

 

Cheers,

 

Magic