Exit and Enter UK via Dublin

[pavis]

Hi,

I am an Indian national with a valid UK Tier-1(Gen) visa, living Belfast-Northern Ireland. I plan to travel to India via Dublin(Belfast -Dublin travel by road/rail) and return to Northern Ireland via Dublin. (with a valid Irish visa).
Is it okay to plan my travel via Dublin? Will this cause any problems when I travel next time through UK mainland/or when I renew UK Visa or when I apply for ILR eventually? Because there is no immigration/border control between Belfast and Ireland (by road/rail), my passport will not get validated and stamped by UK Immigration personal.

Can some one please offer some advice?

Thanks
Pavi Sid.

[sts96508]

as long as you have an Irish visa - go for it.

I did last year. Passport control is in the airport. Your passport will get stamped on exiting Dublin airport and when you return from India.

perfectly legal.

[mulderpf]

Just make sure that you keep any proof of travel as it won't be in your passport. This will make your life a million times easier when applying for ILR (as you have to declare time outside the UK and it would be very difficult to do if you don't keep proof of travel). Other than that, you should have no issues.

[pavis]

Thank you both - for the useful tips.