Can I apply for entry clearance to the UK while in the UK?

[jenniferlh]

Hi, all,

I'm sure I'm not the first person to have this type of dilemma; hopefully someone can help me out.

I'm an American; I was in London for six months on a BUNAC visa. Now I'm in the States for ten days; I came with the intention of getting entry clearance on my new work permit. The company I work for is planning to sponsor me, and we expected everything to be sorted by now; however, nothing is. I have a return flight to London 21 July. My WP application is in the works right now, but there's no way it will be completed in time for me to go to the consulate and get my entry clearance before I leave here.

My flatmate and I have been digging around, we found on the UK visas FAQ that someone else could apply for my visa for me, "at a UK visa office overseas, but you must sign the application form personally to show that the information given is true and accurate. Giving false or misleading information, or failing to give important relevant information on an entry clearance form, or to an entry clearance officer, can be reason for an application to be refused."

It must be postmarked from the US, because obviously I technically cannot be in the UK when my visa is processed.

In theory then, it seems like if I could somehow avoid getting my passport stamped when I return to the UK next week, I could mail my application (+ passport) to my family who could then submit it via post to the UK consulate in Chicago. My passport could then be mailed to me in the UK, where I would have to leave the country (going to France or somewhere close, rather than back to the US) again and re-enter on the new visa.

How feasible is this? What if I entered the UK through Ireland (although this would require a ticket change anyway)? Would that work? That way I wouldn't have a UK stamp on my passport when I returned. Am I doomed to having to change my plane ticket to stay in the US for another few weeks? Any suggestions anyone has would be immensely appreciated. Thanks!