Student Visitor Stamp (<6 mon), Arrive Through Ireland

[jman99]

I am a US student and studying aboard in Edinburgh for 3 weeks. I am aware of the Student Visitor Visa/Stamp that I must obtained to legally study. I will not be doing any work/volunteer and will stay for less than 6 months. Flights are dramatically cheaper if I fly through Ireland (Dublin) then to the UK. I have read that the "Common Travel" agreement makes it difficult to obtain the Student Visitor stamp on my passport. Some sites have suggested just avoiding Ireland. I have seen this statement in several places and on the UKBA:

"Students arriving in the UK through Ireland should actively seek out an Immigration official upon arrival in the UK to ensure that their passport is stamped with the student endorsement."

Has anyone done this? Is it possible to find a UK Immigration Official? Has anyone does this at Edinburgh Airport when arriving from Dublin?

Thanks!

[geriatrix]

Please don't make multiple posts on the same topic.


regards

[jman99]

I apologize, I am new to this board and I wasn't sure which topic was appropriate to list the question under and I wasn't sure which topic most people read.

Please remove the multiples as you see fit.

Thanks.

[Mr Rusty]

Passengers who have legally entered the Republic of Ireland, then travel to the UK, and don't need a UK visa, are "deemed" (under the Immigration Act 1971) to have leave to enter as a visitor for up to 3 months from the date of their arrival in the UK. So, you don't need a stamp in your passport, just keep proof of your travel from Ireland. If your course is only 3 weeks and you're not staying beyond 3 months, there's nothing to worry about.
By all means start chasing round to try and find an Immigration Officer when you arrive at Edinburgh airport, but he/she will probably tell you to buzz off and stop wasting their time, with the same explanation as above.