I am confused about the UK tourist visa 180 day entry

[Negita43]

My partner has a 10 year tourist visa for the UK which gives here a 180 days entry. But does anyone understand how this is calculated - is it 180 days in any 360?

For example she entered the UK in May 2024 and has exited and re-ntered the UK twice (Schengen visits totaling about 25 days) so if she completes 180 days before finally exiting does this mean she should not reurn until 1 year from entry date or exit date or something else?

 

Thanks

 

 

[theoldgit]

There’s no such rule as 180 days in a twelve month period, that’s a pretty common misconception, visits are calculated individually.

 

Her visa actually allows 180 days per visit, though on each occasion visitors may be asked to prove that they’re a genuine visitor, and not using a visit visa to effectively live in the UK through “frequent and successive visits”, not many visitors visit that often.

 

So she shouldn’t encounter any problems on return providing she can satisfy a Border Force Officer that she remains a genuine visitor.

[Negita43]

1 hour ago, theoldgit said:

Her visa actually allows 180 days per visit, though on each occasion

So her last trip from UK to Schengen and return to the UK 15 days later triggers another 180 days permission to stay as a tourist?

[theoldgit]

4 hours ago, Negita43 said:

So her last trip from UK to Schengen and return to the UK 15 days later triggers another 180 days permission to stay as a tourist?

Well in theory yes, but as l pointed out earlier doing so may well, and in all probability would, lead to in depth questioning by the Border Force Officer on her return, who will need to be satisfied that she isn’t misusing her Entry Clearance as a visitor.

 

It’s not common for genuine visitors to have holidays of 180 days, and certainly not back to back ones, there’s no such thing as “Visa runs”.

 

 

[Tony M]

On 11/10/2024 at 4:09 PM, Negita43 said:

So her last trip from UK to Schengen and return to the UK 15 days later triggers another 180 days permission to stay as a tourist?

No, it doesn't.  The time spent in UK is calculated on a "rolling" 12 months.  So, if someone enters the UK on the 1st January for 30 days, then the total time in UK, between Jan 1st and Dec 31st will be the calculation of time spent in the UK in 12 months.  If that person doesn't re-enter UK until November, then that will be the start of the next rolling 12 months, and the time spent in UK from November until the next October will be the 12 month calculation.  I know that might be confusing, but it is the total time spent in UK in any rolling 12 month period that the Border Force officer will be looking at.