Exit date - Visitor Visa

[Ashwin2005]

I visited London on visitor visa. While entering the country, they stamped the date of entry on my passport.

But surpisingly, there was no date stamping while leaving the country. Is this normal?

If they don't take note while returning, how do they record how long one stayed in the country?

[ppron747]

The UK removed the passport control desks on departure some years ago - I think they said at the time that the resources that this released would enable them to step up after-entry enforcement... But you still have to show your passport when you're checking in, and I don't know whether this information is shared with the Immigration Service.

I've done around seven or eight overseas trips this year, and on several of these, temporary desks had been set up, and my passport was checked. Not sure if this was a sign of things to come, or simply a temporary measure.

I think the general principle is that, for the vast majority of visitors, the government doesn't need to know how long they stayed - most people leave, well within their time limit. Proving that a particular individual did leave on a particular date doesn't help find the people who didn't....

[JAJ]

The UK removed the passport control desks on departure some years ago - I think they said at the time that the resources that this released would enable them to step up after-entry enforcement... But you still have to show your passport when you're checking in, and I don't know whether this information is shared with the Immigration Service.

I've done around seven or eight overseas trips this year, and on several of these, temporary desks had been set up, and my passport was checked. Not sure if this was a sign of things to come, or simply a temporary measure.

More likely a sign of things to come. I thought the Government has decided to progressively re-introduce comprehensive exit controls.

I think the general principle is that, for the vast majority of visitors, the government doesn't need to know how long they stayed - most people leave, well within their time limit. Proving that a particular individual did leave on a particular date doesn't help find the people who didn't....

No, but if you have a recorded entry of a particular person into the United Kingdom with no recorded exit by a particular time, it allows for a list of those illegally in the United Kingdom to be put together. Australia has a system like this.

One issue regarding exit controls which has not been widely discussed is whether the Republic of Ireland authorities will be co-operating fully with the Home Office in sharing information on entry and exit through Irish ports and airports. It seems this will be essential if the Common Travel Area is to continue to exist in the medium term.