Visiting the UK on a tourist visa whilst work visa.

[JessicaC]

Hi everyone,

My fiance has a job offer and will be in the process of obtaining a work visa, as we are not sure how long this will take is it possible for him to visit during summer on a tourist visa whilst in the process of obtaining this work visa?

What's the legal standpoint of this? Anyone with experience in this before, or someone who can point us in the right direction?

Thanks in advance

[cs95tdg]

Hi everyone,

My fiance has a job offer and will be in the process of obtaining a work visa, as we are not sure how long this will take is it possible for him to visit during summer on a tourist visa whilst in the process of obtaining this work visa?

What's the legal standpoint of this? Anyone with experience in this before, or someone who can point us in the right direction?

Thanks in advance

Is the question whether he is permitted to enter the UK on a existing visit visa he has? Or whether he is permitted to apply for a visit visa while his work visa sponsorship (Tier 2) is being processed (I.e. Prior to applying for T2 entry clearance)?

If it's the former, then I've not seen anything to suggest that this isn't possible and have in the past traveled on an existing visit visa while my work permit was being processed by my employer.

[CR001]

How will he travel if he has to submit his passport for the work visa.

[cs95tdg]

How will he travel if he has to submit his passport for the work visa.

During the work permit era in 2008, prior to T2, the original passport wasn't required to be submitted until such a time the employer work permit was processed. So I travelled on an existing visit visa in between the work permit being issued and applying for entry clearance as a work permit holder.

Not sure if the OP's question is similar to that here though.

[CR001]

How will he travel if he has to submit his passport for the work visa.

During the work permit era in 2008, prior to T2, the original passport wasn't required to be submitted until such a time the employer work permit was processed. So I travelled on an existing visit visa in between the work permit being issued and applying for entry clearance as a work permit holder.

Not sure if the OP's question is similar to that here though.

Things have changed since then. I believe passports are submitted at the same time as the application for Tier 2 G.

[JessicaC]

How will he travel if he has to submit his passport for the work visa.

During the work permit era in 2008, prior to T2, the original passport wasn't required to be submitted until such a time the employer work permit was processed. So I travelled on an existing visit visa in between the work permit being issued and applying for entry clearance as a work permit holder.

Not sure if the OP's question is similar to that here though.

Things have changed since then. I believe passports are submitted at the same time as the application for Tier 2 G.

Anyone know how long they hold onto your passport for?

[vinny]

Until they grant or refuse the entry clearance, sometimes longer than necessary.

[cs95tdg]

Things have changed since then. I believe passports are submitted at the same time as the application for Tier 2 G.

Thanks. Wasn't aware of the specifics. I guess it was broken down into two parts before; employer sponsorship (which took around 2 months) and thereafter the entry clearance application. My previous EC applications have always been relatively quick - within a month. But I know things have changed now, with outsourcing of processing and depending on how many such centres exist in the country the application is submitted from.