Got Tier 5 visa but entry stamp expires, can enter on tourist visa?

Hi all,

I am in a bit of a sticky situation. I am a PhD candidate about to move to the UK for the rest of my study. I was granted a Tier 5 GAE visa recently, however, the stamped entry visa on my passport is only until May 27th (one month window). However, I have a few very important follow-up doctor's appointments scheduled on May 28th and 30th (which are time sensitive as I got worrying lab results and have been trying to schedule for a while now.) If I cancel my appointments here now and try to follow-up in the UK, by the time I find a flat (you need an address), register for a GP, and then get a specialist assigned, and then wait for a specialist appointment, this could easily be delayed by a month or more, and as I said, this is time sensitive and could alter the course of treatment or could potentially be life threatening (I don't want to think about it, but this is the reality I am facing at the moment). It is a really lovely time to be moving countries.

My plan was to fly on May 31st, but the Tier 5 stamped entry visa expires on May 27th, but I am expected to collect the BRP within 10 days of my entry to UK, which is still a possibility if I fly on 31st. However, I was recently in the UK (for research training) on a multiple entry tourist visa, and that expires only in June 2018. My question is-- Could I enter the UK on that valid tourist visa even though I will actually be going there to work? My invitation letter for the tourist visa is dated back for february, but it is a tourist visa, I could also be (theoretically) touristing or visiting a friend. Or would the UK boarders require for me to show the Tier 5 entry visa as soon as they see my passport, as I have been granted one and they may have it in their system (and for which I have all the correct documents) but the stamped entry would be expired?

A bit of my immigration background, I have lived in the UK before, did my masters there on Tier 4 visa and then moved back home.

This move is essential for my career, however, health should be a priority in everyone's life, without which career or anything else wouldn't exist. I feel like I've been placed in a horrible situation of having to choose between one or the other. Hence any advice on the entry to the UK under these circumstances would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I'm afraid this is yet another example of the fact the 1-month visa stamp is a broken system that is too restrictive. It would be far better if the visa echoed what the BRP will say (the full length of stay). Either that or give 2 months to enter. I don't have an easy solution for you, I'm afraid.

moments wrote: ↑

Mon May 07, 2018 12:54 pm

Could I enter the UK on that valid tourist visa even though I will actually be going there to work?

No. Being granted a Tier 5 GAE visa has cancelled your Standard Visitor visa. See https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... eave-ecb22

Even if it was still extant, your Standard Visitor leave has a work prohibition anyway.

You will need to apply for a new 30-day vignette. The best explanation of how to do it is in this guidance for those with a Tier 4 visa, but the procedure is identical for other PBS applications:

https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information-- ... layer-3915