HOW MANY HOLIDAY VISAS

[newbepat]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL TV POSTERS

QUESTION REGARDING UK & IRISH VISAS

HOW MANY TOURIST/HOLIDAY CAN YOU APPLY FOR IN ONE YEAR.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REPLIES

PAT

[Jay Sata]

You can stay in the UK for up to 6 months with a General Visitor visa.

You can also apply for a long-term visit visa if you can prove you need to make repeat visits over a longer period. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit and your visa can last for 1, 2, 5 or 10 years.

Source https://www.gov.uk/general-visit-visa

Eire is not so generous allowing only 90 days on a C visitor visa.

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/How%20long%20will%20my%20visa%20be%20valid%20for

Edited January 16, 2015 by Jay Sata

[7by7]

To answer the question; as far as the UK is concerned there is no limit to the number of visit visas someone can apply for in any one year.

However, VAT1.5 Frequency and duration of visits.

There is no restriction on the number of visits a person may make to the UK nor any requirement that a specified time must elapse between successive visits. However, the Immigration Rules state that the applicant must show that they do not intend to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent and successive visits. An ECO must consider the reason for a series of visits with only brief intervals outside the UK between each visit. The ECO must consider the purpose of the visit against the time elapsed between visits and the duration of previous visits to the UK.

There is no Rule that states a visitor can only remain in the UK for 6 out of any 12 months, but an ECO must examine the pattern and frequency of visits to see that it does not amount to de facto residence.

If a visitor holds a longer term visit visa then it will not be an Entry Clearance Officer who does this when assessing an application, but Immigration at the visitor's port of entry to the UK. If they decide that the pattern and frequency of visits does amount to de facto residence then the visitor could be refused entry to the UK.

Note, though, that it is unlikely that an applicant will be issued a longer term visit visa on their first application; despite what it says in VAT1.4 Visa validity - What period for a multiple entry visit visa?

I don't know the Irish position on frequency of visits.

It may be of interest to you that if a Thai, and certain other nationalities, is visiting both the UK and Ireland then, provided they hold a valid UK visit visa and enter the UK first, they do not currently need an Irish visit visa. See Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme.

You may also find UK visit visa basics helpful.

BTW, please do not post all in capitals; it's the internet equivalent of shouting (Forum Netiquette).

[Jay Sata]

May I point out that if you plan to visit Eire under the UK waiver scheme this time cannot be used to extend the total period beyond six months.

A combined total of 180 days is allowed within the Irish/UK Common Travel Area. Therefore if you spend 160 days in the UK Eire will only allow you 20 days.

If you spend 90 days in the Republic another 90 must elapse before re entry.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Jay Sata

[7by7]

Will my visa be valid for multiple trips to Ireland? suggests a minimum time must elapse between visits, but not how long.

It is not our general practice to issue Multiple-Journey visas unless you have shown a compliant travel history to Ireland in the recent past.

For a Short Stay visa, if you have held 2 previous Irish visas and have observed the conditions of these visas (e.g. you did not overstay or work illegally) you may apply for a Multiple-Journey visa.

However, the purpose of these visas is to allow a person to travel to Ireland on a number of occasions during the dates shown on the visa, for short trips only. It is not permitted to use this category of visa to bypass immigration rules governing residency in the State – i.e. it is not possible to remain in Ireland for a period of 90 days and then seek to re-enter the country for a further period of up to 90 days. Any abuse of this may result in future applications being refused.

Any information on how much time someone should leave after their Irish visa has expired before applying again?

Your post above says 90 days must elapse between visits.

Is this just for people holding a multiple entry Irish visit visa or a UK visit visa?

Or can any visitor can spend 90 days in the republic, leave and 90 days later be assured of obtaining another visit visa, assuming all the other criteria are met, of course?

Edited January 18, 2015 by 7by7

[beano2274]

Pat, be aware that using Capital Letters in a Post actually gives the impression of shouting.

6 months in one year is the baseline, anything more and Immigration might believe your friend might be using the tourist visa as a way of getting around applying for the correct visa, and might refuse entry even with a valid visa.