American child uk visit visa expires

[ChrisColumn]

I am a British citizen but I am friends with a Ghanian woman, who has a daughter that was born in the states and the 8 year old daughter has an American passport . My friend is currently in the UK on Post study work visa and her daughter is here on a second Child visit visa and the visa would expire in the next 4 weeks. She has requested that I help her take her child to France or Spain for a day or two so she would get another 6 months visa on re-entry at the UK border but I am weary of this. I have never had any dealings with IO and I do not know how they operate but something tells me I would get questioned a lot as I am not related to the child in any way. Would they allow the child in as she is American and her mother is in the UK legally? What questions should I expect? Thanks for your expected reply.

[Lucapooka]

You are right to wary of this (weary means tired!). It is not permitted to live in the UK as a visitor. Effectively that is what the child is doing and there is a strong likelihood of serious problems with any attempt to re-enter the UK in that capacity as the limit on visit entry is six months in a year and it sounds like the child has already crossed that threshold. You may be quizzed extensively on your return and appropriate measures may be taken.

The child should apply for a PBS dependent visa and this application has to be made outside the UK. Where is the father; he needs to eliminated from the equation? I suspect the reason she has not applied for the PBS dependant visa is due to this limiting factor.

[ChrisColumn]

Thanks for your reply, Lucapooka. But what measures could the IO take? Is there any chance the child would not be allowed entry? I have insisted that thr mother should apply for an extension or a dependent visa but she says the process is long and the financial requirements are not possible at this time. The father is not in the equation as he is in Ghana and comes to the UK on visits. I would like to understand the scenario that could play out at the airport, can I be detained as a British citizen helping with immigration illegality? Or would they contact the child's mother and send her back to America or Ghana? I am a professional and I would not like to be asked questions I have no answers to. Thanks

[Lucapooka]

I doubt entry would be denied in the case of a minor child whose mother is resident in the UK. but curtailment of the usual 6 months would be likely followed by immediate measures to contact the mother to discuss the matter. It's then likely she (the mother) will be told to apply for the appropriate visa for child or consider leaving the UK with the child. You have to appreciate that this is the mother's problem as she is the responsible adult and the mother should take responsibility to do what is correct under the law. Merely citing lack of funds to make the correct application is simply not a sufficient excuse.

[geriatrix]

If you do decide to travel with the child, do get a written consent from the mother of the child allowing you and the child to travel together.

[Casa]

The mother also needs to be made aware that taking the child on a brief visit to mainland Europe and re-entering won't extend their legal stay on their return. It will however, flag up the fact with Immigration at point of re-entry that the visa is close to expiry.

[INSIDER]

Don't do it.

The UKBA takes its role in safeguarding children extremely seriously especially in the light of previous tragic outcomes involving children.

You can expect to be questioned and detained at the airport extensively. Your details will be recorded and you may even,initially, be suspected of facilitating.In addition,there is every possibility the child will be refused entry and arrangements put in place for her removal-I aint kidding,seen it happen-Another question which comes to mind is what school does she go to? As a visitor she is not permitted to attend state school.

Anyway,if it is just for a day or two what stops mum from carrying out this plan?