Uk Visit Visa And One Way Ticket

[guangmei]

Hey

Im currently residing in Shanghai as a student and since my course is over I have no plans of coming back. I regularly visit UK every year and was infact studying there as well. I have never overstayed etc. I have family there so staying for a few months is not an issue. Now I dont know when I would be leaving for my home country but which would be obviously before 6 months so I dont know whether I should get a return ticket to home. I dont remember me being asked by immigrations about my return ticket.

Another thing I have a 5 year visit visa which expires in 2012 but last year I took a student visa to study in the uk. Somebody mentioned my visit visa is invalid now. I think thats a load of bull as I paid good money for that 5 year visa at the time. Can anyone clarify if its still valid. I have checked my visa on my passport and there is no indications of cancellation.

Thanks for the help guys.

[7by7]

There is nothing in the immigration rules to say that a visitor needs a return or onward ticket when entering the UK. However, it is possible that an immigration officer at your port of entry may ask to see one, and if you do not have it then they may want to question you further as to your intentions. Worst case scenario is that they could refuse you entry.

If you were refused entry, then the airline that carried you to the UK would not only have to return you to you embarkation point at their own expense, they would also be liable to a large fine. For this reason many airlines will refuse to carry visit visa holders to the UK unless they have a return or onward ticket.

As far as I know, unless your visit visa has been endorsed as cancelled then it is still valid. However, I am not 100% sure on this, so maybe you should check with the embassy that issued it.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

You must be able to cover the cost of an onward journey. Around 2 weeks ago a client went through Manchester airport without a return ticket she was stopped for around an hour with her boyfriend however entry was not refused.

[TickTock]

There is nothing in the immigration rules to say that a visitor needs a return or onward ticket when entering the UK. However, it is possible that an immigration officer at your port of entry may ask to see one, and if you do not have it then they may want to question you further as to your intentions. Worst case scenario is that they could refuse you entry.

If you were refused entry, then the airline that carried you to the UK would not only have to return you to you embarkation point at their own expense, they would also be liable to a large fine. For this reason many airlines will refuse to carry visit visa holders to the UK unless they have a return or onward ticket.

As far as I know, unless your visit visa has been endorsed as cancelled then it is still valid. However, I am not 100% sure on this, so maybe you should check with the embassy that issued it.

I agree with 7by7. On Thai and Eva outbound for Mrs last two Visit visas to UK she was asked to show her return ticket.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Yes Qatar questioned the no return ticket however she was allowed to board.

[guangmei]

You must be able to cover the cost of an onward journey. Around 2 weeks ago a client went through Manchester airport without a return ticket she was stopped for around an hour with her boyfriend however entry was not refused.

Thanks for the superfast replies.

I cant be bothered with waiting for something so ridiculous.

Can I get a return ticket with any other airline then the one which Im travelling into UK with? As that will be an e-ticket am I expected to carry it to the UK and present it to the immigration officer or can I just say that I have it in my email.

[CharlieB]

You must be able to cover the cost of an onward journey. Around 2 weeks ago a client went through Manchester airport without a return ticket she was stopped for around an hour with her boyfriend however entry was not refused.

Thanks for the superfast replies.

I cant be bothered with waiting for something so ridiculous.

Can I get a return ticket with any other airline then the one which Im travelling into UK with? As that will be an e-ticket am I expected to carry it to the UK and present it to the immigration officer or can I just say that I have it in my email.

If I were you, I would have proof of any onward journey on my person when I land in the UK. This will ensure that even if you are detained, it will be for a minimum length of time. I would imagine that it would not matter if it was the same airline, as long as the ticket was in the same name and the date was within your visa limit.

[7by7]

I cant be bothered with waiting for something so ridiculous.

I'm sorry, but what is ridiculous about a visitor being asked to show they have the means to leave the country when their visit is over?

Most countries have similar rules, including Thailand. Although I have never been asked for my return ticket when entering Thailand as a visitor, one is supposed to have one.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Who would want to return to the UK

[guangmei]

I cant be bothered with waiting for something so ridiculous.

I'm sorry, but what is ridiculous about a visitor being asked to show they have the means to leave the country when their visit is over?

Most countries have similar rules, including Thailand. Although I have never been asked for my return ticket when entering Thailand as a visitor, one is supposed to have one.

Every country has its rules and regulation and I respect that. If I had a problem I wouldnt be spending so much on tourism.

I think you have taken my statement out of context.

Let me explain myself

Ridiculous=me waiting an unknown time length after an approximately 10 hour flight (and more counting the time spent in the airports before and after) just because I didnt want to invest in a return ticket. Not only is that ridiculous on my part but also insane.

But now come to think of it how hard is it to get a refund of a return ticket so it basically it does not prove intent and the airline is the winner in the end. Also where I come from it is impossible to get a visa without proving emotional ties and substantial finances(and no we cant just borrow and return as a six months running account statement is required and I dont know anyone who would be kind enough to offer me a large sum of money for that amount of time). Now if the visa was for only 15 days it would be understandable to warrant a return ticket.

Hope that clarifies my perspective.

[guangmei]

Who would want to return to the UK

Great place to be in the summers. Long days and pleasant weather. And as I know it in and out there is no other place to be for an extended vacation. I live where temp soars to 54 degrees, horrific monsoons and electricity shut downs 12 hours in the day.

[7by7]

Ridiculous=me waiting an unknown time length after an approximately 10 hour flight (and more counting the time spent in the airports before and after) just because I didnt want to invest in a return ticket. Not only is that ridiculous on my part but also insane.

If you do not want to purchase a return or onward ticket then you may be questioned by immigration on your arrival in the UK. If you cannot show that you have the means to purchase a ticket out of the UK then you will probably be refused entry. Not ridiculous, not insane; regulations brought in to try and slow down the large number of illegals trying to enter the UK. Yes, tickets can be camcelled or simply thrown away, and the UKBA are aware this happens, but as said before this is a requirement most countries impose upon their visitors. If you don't like it then I suggest that international travel is not for you!

[cucumber]

Can't you just buy a one euro (or one cent!) Ryanair flight from the UK to another country and be done with it?

[Eff1n2ret]

The visit visa is still valid - see this from Entry Clearance Guidance:-

"An applicant may hold more than one valid entry clearance, for example a regular traveller already holding a longer period multiple visit visa can be issued with a visa for another purpose. When issuing a second visa, the applicant should be advised to explain to the Immigration Officer on arrival in which capacity he/she is seeking entry to the UK."

Contrary to inaccurate info above, the airline is not liable to a fine just because a passenger is refused entry if he is correctly documented and holds a current visa (if required). For someone holding a 5-year multiple visa who has travelled to the UK and complied with his terms of entry on several occasions, there would be a strong presumption of entitlement to entry, and the onus of proof would be on the IO to show that there has been a change of circumstances.

The second visa could alert the IO to the possibility that the passenger's circumstances are changing, and lead to a few questions. The absence of a return ticket would not in itself be fatal, but could also give rise to questions about his future plans.

It would be entirely at the whim of the airline whether they wished to carry him without a return ticket, and if they insist he has one, he either complies or doesn't travel.

[guangmei]

The visit visa is still valid - see this from Entry Clearance Guidance:-

"An applicant may hold more than one valid entry clearance, for example a regular traveller already holding a longer period multiple visit visa can be issued with a visa for another purpose. When issuing a second visa, the applicant should be advised to explain to the Immigration Officer on arrival in which capacity he/she is seeking entry to the UK."

Contrary to inaccurate info above, the airline is not liable to a fine just because a passenger is refused entry if he is correctly documented and holds a current visa (if required). For someone holding a 5-year multiple visa who has travelled to the UK and complied with his terms of entry on several occasions, there would be a strong presumption of entitlement to entry, and the onus of proof would be on the IO to show that there has been a change of circumstances.

The second visa could alert the IO to the possibility that the passenger's circumstances are changing, and lead to a few questions. The absence of a return ticket would not in itself be fatal, but could also give rise to questions about his future plans.

It would be entirely at the whim of the airline whether they wished to carry him without a return ticket, and if they insist he has one, he either complies or doesn't travel.

Thanks for the info and putting my mind to ease. You are quite correct, on arrival to London from a vacation I was asked by the IO which visa I wanted to enter on i-e student/visitor.

[guangmei]

Ridiculous=me waiting an unknown time length after an approximately 10 hour flight (and more counting the time spent in the airports before and after) just because I didnt want to invest in a return ticket. Not only is that ridiculous on my part but also insane.

If you do not want to purchase a return or onward ticket then you may be questioned by immigration on your arrival in the UK. If you cannot show that you have the means to purchase a ticket out of the UK then you will probably be refused entry. Not ridiculous, not insane; regulations brought in to try and slow down the large number of illegals trying to enter the UK. Yes, tickets can be camcelled or simply thrown away, and the UKBA are aware this happens, but as said before this is a requirement most countries impose upon their visitors. If you don't like it then I suggest that international travel is not for you!

Whoa...... I dont understand what has upset you but please accept my apologies

[CharlieB]

I'm not sure why you (OP) don't want to just buy a return ticket as it's normally much cheaper than 2 single tickets. Seems to be a lot of fuss and putting yourself at risk of being detained just because you don't want to buy a return ticket.