Long Term Visitor Visa

[Davec]

Are there any guidelines as to the terms and conditions to issue a Long Term Visitor Visa to the UK for those coming from outside the European Community? This visa, as I understand it, is available for those needing to come to the UK for a maximum period of 6 months at a time. They then have to return to their home country for 6 months. After which time they can return to the UK for another 6 months. For example, how long does this visa normally last for? And does the applicant have to first use it within a specific time frame? And is the procedure the same as for applying for a straight Visitor visa?

[seagul]

There is no long term visitor visa which a person can get in once from outside of EU. There used to be 10 years valid visitor visa which used to be issued to those who shown honesty previously in meeting the conditions of their visit visa plus shown solid ties with their back home.

[CR001]

A long term visit visa is valid for how long you have applied for, ie. 2 years, 5 years or 10 years. If the person has never visited the UK, unlikely they will be granted a long term visa.

An applicant can use at any time while it is vaid.

It should not be used as a way to 'reside' in the UK and 6 months visits is not a visit but 'residing'. Many try to use this to circumvent the more difficult immigration rules, so HO is fully aware of the abuse and this visa can be cancelled at any time on arrival in the UK if the IO doesn't believe the applicant is a genuine visitor.

A visit visa holder will always be required to prove they are genuine visitors and what strong ties to their home country they have.

[Davec]

I understand. I'm not sure what the first poster refers to. But the gov.uk website gives this very brief description of the visa I refer to:

"Long-term visit visas
If you can prove you need to visit the UK regularly over a longer period, you can apply for a visa that lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit."

The applicant will have been to the UK, using visas. And I don't see a problem in their proving strong ties to their home country, not a problem.

From what I gather, the form to apply for one of these visas is the same one to apply for a regular Visitor Visa. There is no special visa to apply for the Long Term Visitor Visa. Presumably, moreover, the documents that are required and the information that is required is the same as for the regular Visitor Visa. Is this (so far as you know) the case?

Do you know of any source for more information?