Returning Resident Validity

[emma_james77]

Hi All

I have been granted a Returning Resident Visa as my ILR had become invalid as we were living outside of the UK for more than two years.

I was admitted entry to the UK last week without any issues however I now notice that on my UK Entry Clearance visa/sticker that has been put in my passport (alongside my original ILR visa sticker) has a valid from and valid until date - six months in total.

My question is - is the expiry date of Feb 2017 only meant to be the date in which I had to arrive in the UK or is there something else I will need to do after then? I'm hoping it's the former!

The Visa is a Type D - Returning Resident with the Observation of Settlement: Indefinite leave to remain.

I'm assuming I can now resume work and will be able to travel away on holidays outside the UK as it was when on my original ILR...

Any advice would be most appreciated!

[haiksuresh]

Hi Emma,
Did you apply Returning Resident Visa before coming to UK or You try to enter UK using ur old ILR visa, And border agency put a stamp on ur passport as Returning Resident with validity ?

Regards,
Suresh

[CR001]

Hi Emma,
Did you apply Returning Resident Visa before coming to UK or You try to enter UK using ur old ILR visa, And border agency put a stamp on ur passport as Returning Resident with validity ?

Regards,
Suresh

The OP applied before traveling to the UK and has a vignette in the passport.

The Visa is a Type D - Returning Resident with the Observation of Settlement: Indefinite leave to remain.

[emma_james77]

Hi, yes, I applied in Melbourne before traveling to the UK so the visa was in my passport and all above board when we arrived.

We're having a few weeks holiday before we begin new jobs in September. The Valid From date on my visa states 23rd August 2016.

It's the Valid Until date that worries me and I can't seem to find anything relating to this on the Gov.Uk website...

Thanks

[CR001]

The Valid From date on my visa states 23rd August 2016.

Is this the valid from date on the returning resident vignette? If yes, you should only have entered the UK on or after this date to active the RR visa.

Seems you may have been admitted to the UK as a 'visitor' for 6 months.

[emma_james77]

Yes, the 'valid from' date was on the Returning Resident Visa.
When applying for it in Australia it asked for an estimated arrival date - to which I put 23rd August.
We are having a family holiday for a month which is the reason we arrived earlier. I am of the understanding that the RR/ILR visa will not become valid until this date - which is why we're waiting until September to begin work.
I believe this ok?
Surely I wont have to leave and re-enter the UK again in order for the RR visa to be 'active'?
If so, a trip to Ireland for the day may be on the cards..

[CR001]

Your RR visa has to be 'activated' on arrival, not from within the UK, which can only be from the valid from date, which is why you have been admitted as a visitor and not a returning resident.

[vinny]

The returning resident endorsement is correct. However, entering before the effective date may be a problem.

[Wanderer]

Don't want to scaremonger but would this mean ILR is now lost?

[emma_james77]

Thanks Char, to be on the safe side, I think we'll take a family trip to Ireland or mainland Europe for a few days and return to the UK after the Valid From date in order to 'activate' the Returning Resident Visa.

[CR001]

Thanks Char, to be on the safe side, I think we'll take a family trip to Ireland or mainland Europe for a few days and return to the UK after the Valid From date in order to 'activate' the Returning Resident Visa.

You need to make sure your RR visa is stamped by IO at airport when you return.

[haiksuresh]

Hi emma,
How long you have been away from UK ? What was the fee you paid for returning resident visa ? Is it require to pay NHS surcharge ?

do you need to extend your stay after 6 months validity ? When will get get your ILR status back ?

Sorry so many questions I was curious to know about returning resident visa and further process.

Regards,
Suresh

[asp]

Your residence can only be restored if the vignette is presented to and accepted by IO at some point during its six month validity period. You do not have a right to work until that happens, despite being physically present in the UK. In law the IO cannot activate the entry clearance vignette before the valid from date even if s/he date stamps it on an earlier arrival and the vignette cannot activate itself on 23 Aug...

A trip to Ireland won't work as you will not see an IO on return. A trip to France would work.