Long term visitor visa (5 years)

[kindhearted]

My child (since birth) and I (through naturalisation) are British Citizens. My parents are Indians living in India. They came to visit us in the UK for 3 months in 2022 on a standard 6 month visitor visa. That's the only international travel they have ever done. They are planning to visit us again. However because they are old it's difficult for them to keep traveling to the VAC in India (overnight journey from where they live) so we were hoping to get them a long-term visitor visa for 5 years which allows 6 month of stay at a time in the UK.

They will normally come for around 3 months a year if their health permits ofc. My questions were:

1. When I was applying for their visa for the first time I had asked for advice if I should go for the regular or the long term visa. I was advised that due to the lack of any prior international travel, it would be safer to just opt for the standard 6 month visa for them, so that's what I had done. Now they have a prior international travel (and to the UK itself) and have not broken any immigration rules, I suppose we should be OK to apply for the long terms visitor visa (5 yrs) for them? Does anyone see any problems with it?

2. Just like previously, it'll be me certifying in writing that they'll stay in my house while over here and I'll take care of all their financial and other needs while they are here and will take the responsibility to ensure no immigration rules are broken. I'll provide my salary slips and bank statements for the last 3 months which should show I'm more than capable of doing it. They don't have income and have low balance. This was fine for the 6 month visitor visa last time, so I'm hoping it's OK for the 5 year one too?

3. With standard 6 month visa, IIRC the date of entry needed to be within the next 3 months after the visa was granted. Does the long term visa have similar requirements? That is, do they need to enter the UK the first time after getting the 5 year via within 3 months (or some stipulated time)? Or can they come in anytime, say after a year even? Of-course that would be a waste of money since 1 year is just "lost" but trying to find out about the entry requirements after the visa has been granted.

Thanks!

[Ticktack]

My child (since birth) and I (through naturalisation) are British Citizens. My parents are Indians living in India. They came to visit us in the UK for 3 months in 2022 on a standard 6 month visitor visa. That's the only international travel they have ever done. They are planning to visit us again. However because they are old it's difficult for them to keep traveling to the VAC in India (overnight journey from where they live) so we were hoping to get them a long-term visitor visa for 5 years which allows 6 month of stay at a time in the UK. Add this you your invitation letter to the embassy.

They will normally come for around 3 months a year if their health permits ofc. My questions were:

1. When I was applying for their visa for the first time I had asked for advice if I should go for the regular or the long term visa. I was advised that due to the lack of any prior international travel, it would be safer to just opt for the standard 6 month visa for them, so that's what I had done. Perfect advise Now they have a prior international travel (and to the UK itself) and have not broken any immigration rules, I suppose we should be OK to apply for the long terms visitor visa (5 yrs) for them? Does anyone see any problems with it? I see none.

2. Just like previously, it'll be me certifying in writing that they'll stay in my house while over here and I'll take care of all their financial and other needs while they are here and will take the responsibility to ensure no immigration rules are broken. I'll provide my salary slips and bank statements for the last 3 make it 6 to be safe.months which should show I'm more than capable of doing it. They don't have income and have low balance. This was fine for the 6 month visitor visa last time, so I'm hoping it's OK for the 5 year one too? It's a renewal, so it should be pretty standard. still a lot of money, so you want to get it right.

3. With standard 6 month visa, IIRC the date of entry needed to be within the next 3 months after the visa was granted. Does the long term visa have similar requirements? Not sure.That is, do they need to enter the UK the first time after getting the 5 year via within 3 months (or some stipulated time)? Or can they come in anytime They can come anytime within 5 years, or none at all., say after a year even?Yep! Of-course that would be a waste of money since 1 year is just "lost" but trying to find out about the entry requirements after the visa has been granted.

Thanks!