UK Visit visa question

[dan12]

Hi there,

Just one question regarding 6 month UK Visit visas, which I would very much appreciate help with.

On the UK visit visas, there is a valid from and until date. For this example, we'll say from 19/08/2014 valid until 19/02/2015.

If I was to travel to the UK, arriving on 17/02/2015, does that mean I would have to exit the UK by 19/02/2015, returning to Thailand, or would I be allowed to stay for 6 months from entry, providing entry is before 19/02/2015?

Any help would be appreciated. Have been searching everywhere for this answer, but havn't found it.

Thanks

Edited August 19, 2014 by dan12

[Trevstar]

You'd have to leave on the 19th. The date range given is the length the visa is valid for.

[dan12]

You'd have to leave on the 19th. The date range given is the length the visa is valid for.

Many thanks. Very quick reply!

Unfortunately, that means looking for new flights.

Can I ask you if you know whether Thai nationals are able to travel to the UK on a one-way ticket with a UK visit visa? I believe immigration would not have an issue with it providing you can show means of exiting the UK, however airlines might refuse boarding?

The person in question plans to travel to the US to work an internship placement a few weeks after visiting the UK, however there won't be flights booked by the point of entry in the UK. The person already has their US visa, whether or not airlines would be happy with that, I don't know.

[Trevstar]

I'm not sure to be honest. My partner is currently here and having a return flight booked went a good way to showing her intent to leave. But wait for some more expert advice

In the future you may want to ask your visa to start at a date later than your application - you can have up to 90 days

[dan12]

I'm not sure to be honest. My partner is currently here and having a return flight booked went a good way to showing her intent to leave. But wait for some more expert advice

In the future you may want to ask your visa to start at a date later than your application - you can have up to 90 days

Done 7 UK visit visas now and never even knew that.

Cheers

[theoldgit]

You must leave the UK on or before the expiry date of the visa.

In theory a visa holder can travel on a one way ticket, but expect to be given a hard time by the airline who may not want you to let you board.

On arrival at the UK Border also be expecting some in depth questioning if you are not in possession of a return ticket, but proof of travel plans and commitments in the US could pursued the Border Force Officer that the person is likely to conform to the requirements of the visa.

You need to bear in mind that possession of a UK Visa doesn't guarantee that you will be allowed into the UK, it only allows you to present yourself to a Border Force Officer, it is they who will make the decision.

You talk about the length of time you will be allowed to stay in the UK with a six month visa, six months is the standard length of a short term visa, that doesn't mean you would be expected to remain in the UK for that period of time. The Officer will have access to your application, if your original application indicated that you wished to remain in the UK for six months, and the Entry Clearance Officer was satisfied with your reasons, then you would probably be admitted. If however you indicated that you intended to visit for a shorter period, and provided evidence to support that, then you could encounter a problem, the worst case scenario is that you could be refused entry into the UK, even with a visa.