Is There A Minimum Wait For A 2nd Tourist Visa

[WHITESAND]

After a girlfriend has used her 6 month tourist visa to the uk is there a minimum period before she can be issued another one?

[the scouser]

No, there is nothing stopping someone applying again straight away. However, if your g/f has just spent 6 months in the UK, it will be difficult to justify her having another 6 months in succession. After all, in order to get the first visa she will have had to convince the visa officer of her intention to return to Thailand, and if she then immediately reapplies the visa officer may perceive that no such intention exists. I'd give it a few months before reapplying. Don't forget that providing your g/f abided by the conditions of her first visa, a second will be straightforward to obtain.

Scouse.

[WHITESAND]

No, there is nothing stopping someone applying again straight away. However, if your g/f has just spent 6 months in the UK, it will be difficult to justify her having another 6 months in succession. After all, in order to get the first visa she will have had to convince the visa officer of her intention to return to Thailand, and if she then immediately reapplies the visa officer may perceive that no such intention exists. I'd give it a few months before reapplying. Don't forget that providing your g/f abided by the conditions of her first visa, a second will be straightforward to obtain.

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for that Scouse, unfortunately when my friends girlfriend asked for just 1 month they gave her a 6 month and had her sign something to say she would return in the 1 month she had asked for. She did not but when they contacted the uk embassy they said they had broken no immigration rules on that side of the water. What do you think are there chances of another visa? There to young to go for a settlement visa but are a nice couple.

[Clive sorts]

Whitesand

My GF ( now wife ) had a 1 month visitor visa last year and she had the slip of paper from the Embassy in her passport stating that she must return to t/land at the end of 1 month. She ended up staying the full 6 months after we consulted with the Home Office here in the UK, my GF brought with her back to t/land a letter addressed to the Embassy which explained why she stayed longer than was permitted.

When she applied for a Settlement visa a couple of months later the ECO mentioned the " overstay " during her interview however she explained the contents of the letter ( travelling through Europe, seeing my relatives, etc... ) she brought from the UK and they were " satisfied ". S Visa was then issued after a long interview.

Regards

Clive sorts

[GU22]

From IMMIGRATION DIRECTORATES' INSTRUCTIONS - August 2004

FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF VISITS

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).

ECOs often ask applicants how long they intend to visit and then get the applicant to sign an undertaking to return after this time. I believe that this undertaking cannot be enforced, but sticking to it will be a major plus in any future VV applications.

[WHITESAND]

So it may be hard for them to justify another visiter visa but what if they ask for a settlement visa and say if things work out they will get married at the end of the year if everthing is still going well? They donot want to be apart but both of them think marriage is a big step and she is sure that she could not live permanately in the UK. any advice?

[the scouser]

Hi Whitesand,

Unfortunately, a settlement visa is only issued to those who fully intend to settle in the UK. It is not meant to be used for the purpose of testing the water. Should your friend's g/f get a settlement visa and then not marry, she may find it difficult to get future visas unless she has a compelling reason why she didn't marry.

Scouse.

[WHITESAND]

Thanks for that Scouse, you and the others have been a great help. Cheers!