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Entering UK before valid visa date as tourist?

Only for the UK Skilled Worker visas, formerly known as Tier 2 visa route

Moderators: Casa, archigabe, CR001, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha

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mfoucs
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Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 5:35 pm

Entering UK before valid visa date as tourist?

Post by mfoucs » Wed May 26, 2010 5:42 pm

I recently received a Tier 2 (general) visa to work in the UK, but it is only valid from 2 weeks prior to the start of my employment. I am from the US and don't usually require a visa to enter for tourism. I would like to arrive in the UK in late July to begin the process of finding a flat, settling in, etc. Is it possible for me to visit the UK as a tourist before the date of my visa's validity and either a) have the visa activated while I am in country, or b) leave the country and re-enter once the Tier 2 visa is valid?

I have not been able to find responses to this question online anywhere and hope someone on this board can provide advice.
Thank you!

geriatrix
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Post by geriatrix » Wed May 26, 2010 6:11 pm

You may enter UK as a tourist and return before the start date of your Tier 2 visa.

Also, for people who require visa to enter to UK (in any category), this is what UKBA Visa Services states:
ECB10.5 Applying for another visa but in a different category wrote:An applicant may hold more than one valid entry clearance, for example a regular traveller already holding a longer period multiple visit visa can be issued with a visa for another purpose. When issuing a second visa, the applicant should be advised to explain to the Immigration Officer on arrival in which capacity he/she is seeking entry to the UK

regards

mfoucs
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 5:35 pm

Post by mfoucs » Wed May 26, 2010 6:32 pm

Thanks so much for the quick reply, Sushdmehta.
Just to clarify: does that mean I have to leave the UK before my Tier 2 start date, or can I stay in the country until my work date begins?
For example, if my Tier 2 start date is August 15 and my start of work is Sept 1st, and I want to visit as a tourist from July 15, I can enter as a tourist July 15, but must leave before August 15 and re-enter? What if I want to leave and re-enter by September 1st?

Also, does re-entering mean just exiting the country and returning (e.g., spending a day in Paris and returning to the UK)?

Is there any web information on this? If I want to confirm this, should I just call the UK Border Agency?
Thanks again!

geriatrix
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Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:30 pm
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Post by geriatrix » Wed May 26, 2010 10:02 pm

You cannot enter UK and then "activate" your Tier 2 visa while remaining there.

Taking your dates into consideration -
You may enter UK on 15-Jul as tourist but will have to exit UK (not necessarily back to US) before you can enter UK again under Tier 2 visa on/after the Tier 2 visa issue date. Exiting UK (as a tourist) after the Tier 2 visa issue date is not a problem, but for your Tier 2 visa to be activated you must enter UK on the Tier 2 visa itself. And make sure that you have your Tier 2 visa activated on the day you start your job (starting date mentioned in CoS) i.e.- you enter UK on Tier 2 visa before starting date of employment.

If you enter UK on 15-Jul and exit before Tier 2 visa issue date, then there is no issue anyway!.

No harm in checking all this with UKBA.


regards

h_a
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Post by h_a » Wed Jul 28, 2010 5:07 pm

is there any way i can find out tht my multiple visitors visa to uk is still valid and not cancelled..i heard when they issue you new visa category ur previous visa gets cancelled..this might give me a clue that tier 2 has been approved or not
sorry if i appear vague

geriatrix
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Post by geriatrix » Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:59 am

ECB10.5 (quoted above) has been replaced with this new instruction:
Can I have more than one visa? wrote:It is not possible to hold more than one visa or entry clearance. If your circumstances change you should always inform the Home Office before you leave the UK so that your permission to stay can be curtailed. Once your permission to stay has been curtailed you will be able to apply for a new visa overseas.

regards

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