Travelling on 2nd US Passport?

[rpalmer03]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone knows whether there are any issues with travelling on a 2nd US passport while my Tier 1 (General) Visa extension is being processed. If there is, does anyone know what the processing times are to obtain your visa if you apply in person?

Thanks!

[geriatrix]

whether there are any issues with travelling on a 2nd US passport while my Tier 1 (General) Visa extension is being processed.

Yes. One is required to show a BRP or passport endorsed with valid visa / leave to the IO to be allowed into UK.

does anyone know what the processing times are to obtain your visa if you apply in person?

Processing times

[rpalmer03]

whether there are any issues with travelling on a 2nd US passport while my Tier 1 (General) Visa extension is being processed.

Yes. One is required to show a BRP or passport endorsed with valid visa / leave to the IO to be allowed into UK.

does anyone know what the processing times are to obtain your visa if you apply in person?

Processing times

What do you mean by BRP? US citizens don't require a visa to enter the UK as tourists -- can this just be done on the 2nd passport while the other passport is getting the stamp? Basically, I can't be stuck in the country while the visa is being renewed as I have to travel for work...any suggestions? The 2nd passport idea is the only one I've come up with...

[rpalmer03]

whether there are any issues with travelling on a 2nd US passport while my Tier 1 (General) Visa extension is being processed.

Yes. One is required to show a BRP or passport endorsed with valid visa / leave to the IO to be allowed into UK.

does anyone know what the processing times are to obtain your visa if you apply in person?

Processing times

What do you mean by BRP? US citizens don't require a visa to enter the UK as tourists -- can this just be done on the 2nd passport while the other passport is getting the stamp? Basically, I can't be stuck in the country while the visa is being renewed as I have to travel for work...any suggestions? The 2nd passport idea is the only one I've come up with...

Also, regarding processing times, I see on the site that they say 4 weeks but in the other forum, it seems that many are waiting for their passports back and applied 2 mths ago! Also, at the link you sent, I don't see any info regarding processing times for in person applications.

[geriatrix]

Decide whether you wish to enter / remain in the UK as a "Tier 1 (General) migrant" or as a "visitor".

Just as US citizens there are many "non-visa" nationals who do not require a visa to enter UK as a "tourist" but still need to apply for Tier 1 (General) leave before they wish to / can enter / live / work in the UK as a Tier 1 (General) migrant. And to remain in the UK as Tier 1 (General) migrants, they must extend their stay in the UK as Tier 1 (General) migrants. And I am not aware of any exceptions in this regard specifically for US citizens!

If you enter UK as a visitor, then you will need to exit UK and re-enter UK as a Tier 1 (General) migrant ... and this "entry as visitor" will break your continuous residence period in the UK as a PBS migrant (if you wish to apply for settlement in the future). You cannot be in the UK as a visitor and as a Tier 1 (General) migrant - at the same time!

BRP

[geriatrix]

I don't see any info regarding processing times for in person applications.

Service standard
If the caseworker decides on the day that you happen to fall in the 10% category, no one can tell you how long it might take.

[rpalmer03]

Decide whether you wish to enter / remain in the UK as a "Tier 1 (General) migrant" or as a "visitor".

Just as US citizens there are many "non-visa" nationals who do not require a visa to enter UK as a "tourist" but still need to apply for Tier 1 (General) leave before they wish to / can enter / live / work in the UK as a Tier 1 (General) migrant. And to remain in the UK as Tier 1 (General) migrants, they must extend their stay in the UK as Tier 1 (General) migrants. And I am not aware of any exceptions in this regard specifically for US citizens!

If you enter UK as a visitor, then you will need to exit UK and re-enter UK as a Tier 1 (General) migrant ... and this "entry as visitor" will break your continuous residence period in the UK as a PBS migrant (if you wish to apply for settlement in the future). You cannot be in the UK as a visitor and as a Tier 1 (General) migrant - at the same time!

BRP

I see your point. And I guess I have to assume that the UK systems are all up to date and connected so they'll know that I came in as a visitor while my extension is processed

So, what is the solution in this case? Are people that apply for extensions on their visas really trapped here for 4-6 weeks? What if they need to travel for work? What if someone in their home country is ill? I'm convinced there must be a way around this -- I just can't find it!

[geriatrix]

You may not require a visa as a visitor but AFAIK your (US) passport will be stamped with "leave to enter" at the port of entry and a record made of it on the relevant UKBA system(s).

Unless UKBA is using the software I designed, they should be able to see all such records (immigration history) in the future.

Anyways, your risk your call.

[geriatrix]

So, what is the solution in this case? Are people that apply for extensions on their visas really trapped here for 4-6 weeks? What if they need to travel for work? What if someone in their home country is ill? I'm convinced there must be a way around this -- I just can't find it!

Super premium service

[rpalmer03]

So, what is the solution in this case? Are people that apply for extensions on their visas really trapped here for 4-6 weeks? What if they need to travel for work? What if someone in their home country is ill? I'm convinced there must be a way around this -- I just can't find it!

Super premium service

Yes, I came to the conclusion that premium service is the solution. However, from their online system, it seems that I cannot get an appointment within the next 42 days. Any other ideas on how I can get an appointment?

[geriatrix]

Super premium service (fees = 6000 quids) is different from premium service.

If applying through premium service, maybe apply through a legal representative?
I am given to understand that they have separate slots but am not sure. Call a few and you'll know.

[rpalmer03]

Super premium service (fees = 6000 quids) is different from premium service.

If applying through premium service, maybe apply through a legal representative?
I am given to understand that they have separate slots but am not sure. Call a few and you'll know.

I'll give a few a call. Here's another idea that someone had but I'm not sure this will work. So I also have a Jamaican passport. Am I able to use that for travel provided I get the right visas for the UK and US while my US passport is being processed for the tier 1 extension? Basically, can I be 2 persons to the UK by way of having 2 passports?

[Greenie]

.
Basically, can I be 2 persons to the UK by way of having 2 passports?

No!!

[rpalmer03]

I asked a few immigration officers when I left and entered the country before submitting for my visa and they stated that if I take a copy of my passport biometrics page, the UK visa and the letter from the border agency stating that my application is being processed, they can look me up in the system. They said it will take longer for me to get through the lines but that should be ok.

Someone else told me who called the PEO office in Croyden that leaving the country will serve as an automatic withdrawal of my application.

Any insights? Who is right?