How long do I have to wait after 180 days to return to UK?

[stjohnian]

Hello,

I'm an American (keep the boos to a minimum, please ) and have met a woman that lives with family in England. I'm looking to relocate there for a while (and longer perhaps) and run my business from home to see how things go.

I know that I am permitted up to 180 days to remain in the UK based on simple entry with a passport. My question is - once those 180 days are up, how long do I have to stay out of the UK until I can return (preferably for 180 days again).

I have heard answers anywhere from a week to six months, and have had a surprisingly hard time finding this out so far on a lot of searching.

If it's 6 months on and 6 months off, I'll explore options with a lawyer but figured I would ask here before shelling out the money.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

[UKBAbble]

Sorry to disappoint but there is no amount of time specified. As a non-visa inational you have to seek leave to enter and unless you mee the criteria of the immigration rules you CAN be refused entry with no right of appeal.

[PaperPusher]

I'm an American (keep the boos to a minimum, please ) and have met a woman that lives with family in England. I'm looking to relocate there for a while (and longer perhaps) and run my business from home to see how things go.

There is no hard and fast rule about when you can return after leaving the UK.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary

However see the following guidance:

2.1.9 Frequency and Duration of Visits
There is no restriction on the number of visits a person may make to the United Kingdom nor any requirement that a specified time must elapse between successive visits. The fact that a person has made a series of visits with only brief intervals between them would not, in the absence of any other relevant factors, constitute sufficient ground for refusal.
It is reasonable, however, for the immigration officer to consider the stated purpose of the visit in the light of the length of time that has elapsed since previous visits. A visitor should not, for example, normally spend more than 6 out of any 12 months in this country

Also

There should be evidence that adequate funds exist to support and accommodate the applicant. The source of the funds should be identified to ensure that the applicant is not working to support himself. The applicant should, if he is dependent upon funds from abroad, be asked to prove that the funds are transferable as certain countries operate strict exchange controls.

The problem is going to be that you seem to want to "relocate" here and run your business from home, which seems to be work, both of which you are not allowed to do on a visitor's visa.