Options after Tier 5 visa expires

Hi,

My gf is a Canadian and I am a UK citizen. She is currently on a Tier 5 visa due to expire in a couple of months. Her current employer cannot sponsor her for Tier 2, so she is looking for roles elsewhere. While this is our main strategy, what alternative options do we have if she does not find a job/role in time?

Once her visa expires, is she still allowed to stay in the UK 90 days as a tourist (no right to work)?

If we were to go down the marriage route, what are the key requirements/criteria? We have not been living together to-date.

Thanks!

If visa expires gf will be an overstayer.

As well as marriage you could look at:

• Tier 1;
  Tier 4;
  move to Europe;
  move to Canada;

Bear in mind that Tier 1 General is now closed.

Does she by any chance have a UK born grandparent?

Once her visa expires, she cannot just 'stay on' for 90 days. She must leave on or before her visa expires.

Thanks - what is the grace period before she is allowed to re-enter as a tourist?

pred02 wrote:Thanks - what is the grace period before she is allowed to re-enter as a tourist?

There isn't really one but returning soon after Tier 5 expiry will raise a red flag. She has to convince IO that she is a 'genuine tourist' and based on what you re saying, she is not, especially after 2 years in the UK on Tier 5.

Does she have a UK born grandparent?

There isn't really one but returning soon after Tier 5 expiry will raise a red flag. She has to convince IO that she is a 'genuine tourist' and based on what you re saying, she is not, especially after 2 years in the UK on Tier 5.

Does she have a UK born grandparent?

She does not. There must be a period after which she will be allowed in the UK as a tourist. I understand that the border guard reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone despite having/not requiring a visa, but there should be guidance on cool of period after these visas (i.e. 90 days etc.)

pred02 wrote:She does not. There must be a period after which she will be allowed in the UK as a tourist. I understand that the border guard reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone despite having/not requiring a visa, but there should be guidance on cool of period after these visas (i.e. 90 days etc.)

There isn't guidance on a 'cooling off period'. She might not require a 'pre applied for visa' but she still enters the UK as a visitor and is stamped in as a visitor under the visa waiver programme. She must convince the IO she is a genuine visitor, which would be difficult given the circumstances you have described after Tier 5 expiry.