Visiting the UK Under Tourist Visa While Tier 2 ICT Visa is on Hold

[MAWGUKV2020]

Can I enter the UK under a tourist visa while my Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer Visa is on Hold?

Basically, I am a US citizen who was going to transfer from my employers US branch to their UK branch. I got the job offer and CoS before COVID-19 started shutting everything down. I submitted my application March 16th with a start date for April 20th... that has come and gone, obviously. My passport and supporting documents were sent back to me end of March saying the VFS office in NY is shut down and my visa is on hold. I got another email from the Sheffield Decision Making Center in April saying my visa is still on hold until further notice. Neither me or my sponsor has received any information on my visa or what it means for the visa/CoS since the start date has come and gone.... This is a whole other topic I know, but while I wait to hear back from the government about what is going on, I want to make a trip to the UK sometime in June or July since my girlfriend is British and lives out there, restrictions and government regulations permitting of course.

My question is, if I enter the country, even under a tourist visa, while I have a tier 2 work visa pending/on hold, will that somehow negatively effect my chances of getting the visa or create problems down the road?

It is easier for me to travel out there since I can work remote and she works in the NHS. She cannot get as much time off right now as I can.

[CR001]

You cannot work in the UK while here as a tourist, not even remotely. It is strictly not permitted.

[MAWGUKV2020]

You cannot work in the UK while here as a tourist, not even remotely. It is strictly not permitted.

What if I didn't work and just came out to visit for a few weeks? Just so I can see my girlfriend.

I am just concerned that if I enter the UK with a tourist Visa, as a tourist, while I have a Tier 2 ICT visa on hold due to COVID-19, it will some how lead to my work visa being rejected when the support centers open up again. I thought I read that if you are applying for a work visa you cannot enter the country at all, even as a tourist.

[CR001]

I am just concerned that if I enter the UK with a tourist Visa, as a tourist, while I have a Tier 2 ICT visa on hold due to COVID-19, it will some how lead to my work visa being rejected when the support centers open up again.

If you enter the UK and stamped in as a tourist, it only affects another visa category you hold. So if you already hold a Tier 2 for example, get stamped in as a visitor, it cancels your issued ICT visa. No effect on a visa application that is still pending. However, note that your pending ICT application will be visible to the IO in the UK and they 'could' refuse you entry.

I thought I read that if you are applying for a work visa you cannot enter the country at all, even as a tourist.

There is no such restriction.

[MAWGUKV2020]

If you enter the UK and stamped in as a tourist, it only affects another visa category you hold. So if you already hold a Tier 2 for example, get stamped in as a visitor, it cancels your issued ICT visa. No effect on a visa application that is still pending. However, note that your pending ICT application will be visible to the IO in the UK and they 'could' refuse you entry.

OK. Thank you so much for this information. It was very helpful. The real question at the end of the day is how travel restrictions will effect me entering the country and getting to see my girlfriend... That is just waiting to see how the policies change.

Again, thank you so much for the information and the quick responses! More helpful and quicker than reaching out to the UKVI or VFS contacts.

Cheers!!!

[CR001]

Bear in mind that the UK is looking at bringing in 2 week quarantine for travelers entering the UK.

[MAWGUKV2020]

Bear in mind that the UK is looking at bringing in 2 week quarantine for travelers entering the UK.

Yes I saw that and watched Boris Johnson's public address last night. I need to do research, but I assume that means quarantine at some sort of residence. If I do come out, I would just quarantine at my girlfriend's place for two weeks and then probably just fly back afterwards. This is just so we can see each other for a little bit in the near future because who knows when restrictions will actually be lifted and when/if they will start accepting work visas...