Multiple Entry visa for UK - Rules!? Help! (long term visa)

[irish0704]

Hi all,

My partner was granted a 2 year multiple entry visitor visa for the UK in July 2015. He came to visit in late October and plans to stay until April (his full 6 months) – we had maintained a long-distance relationship for a year and a half before this and wanted to spend some quality time together. Also his previous job contract came to an end so it was the perfect time to be able to do this.

I have a few questions which I can’t seem to find solid answers on:

- I have read rumours that it is only 6 months out of 12 months that one can stay in the UK. I don’t know if this is a hard fast rule or simply a guideline. There is nothing concrete on the Home Office website. And if this was true, would the ’12 month clock’ start ticking from July 2015 (when the Visa was granted), or October 2015 (when my partner came to the UK)?

- Secondly, when applying for the visa my partner had to supply bank statements, proof that he could support himself etc. I have read that ‘You must prove you meet the standard visitor visa requirements each time you enter the UK’. What would this entail? Would they be asking him at border control at the airport to show his bank statements etc?

Thanks in advance for any help/ advice

[secret.simon]

The rules for visit visas are broad and generalised. Basically, a visit visa is meant for visiting and not residence. The visitor is expected to be resident in his home country for longer than in the UK. That is the basis of the 6 months rule.

However, if the person has a habit of being resident in the UK for six months out of every 12 on a long term visit visa, be aware that that may impact future visa applications.

Visit visa are meant for short visits, like the ones most British make to their family home for Christmas; short, memorable and rare.

Also remember that although he has a two year visit visa, it can be revoked at the airport by the Immigration Officer if he feels that the person has a pattern of residing in the UK rather than visiting. So, just having a visit visa is not enough to be guarenteed entry into the UK.

Have a read of the detailed guidance notes, particularly Section 4.2(b).

V 4.2 The applicant must satisfy the decision maker that they are a genuine visitor. This means that the applicant:
(a) will leave the UK at the end of their visit; and
(b) will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home; and
(c) is genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes (these are listed in Appendices 3, 4 and 5); and
(d) will not undertake any prohibited activities set out in V 4.5 – V 4.10; and
(e) must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without working or accessing public funds. This includes the cost of the return or onward journey, any costs relating to dependants, and the cost of planned activities such as private medical treatment.

Also see similar cases on these forums.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/genera ... 00084.html

http://www.immigrationboards.com/genera ... 95597.html

[Wanderer]

+1

2/3 week visits a couple of times a year is what the IO's will be looking for, six months in one go isn't a visit.