Got Tier 5 visa but entry stamp expires, can enter on tourist visa?

[moments]

Hi all,

I am in a bit of a sticky situation. I am a PhD candidate about to move to the UK for the rest of my study. I was granted a Tier 5 GAE visa recently, however, the stamped entry visa on my passport is only until May 27th (one month window). However, I have a few very important follow-up doctor's appointments scheduled on May 28th and 30th (which are time sensitive as I got worrying lab results and have been trying to schedule for a while now.) If I cancel my appointments here now and try to follow-up in the UK, by the time I find a flat (you need an address), register for a GP, and then get a specialist assigned, and then wait for a specialist appointment, this could easily be delayed by a month or more, and as I said, this is time sensitive and could alter the course of treatment or could potentially be life threatening (I don't want to think about it, but this is the reality I am facing at the moment). It is a really lovely time to be moving countries.

My plan was to fly on May 31st, but the Tier 5 stamped entry visa expires on May 27th, but I am expected to collect the BRP within 10 days of my entry to UK, which is still a possibility if I fly on 31st. However, I was recently in the UK (for research training) on a multiple entry tourist visa, and that expires only in June 2018. My question is-- Could I enter the UK on that valid tourist visa even though I will actually be going there to work? My invitation letter for the tourist visa is dated back for february, but it is a tourist visa, I could also be (theoretically) touristing or visiting a friend. Or would the UK boarders require for me to show the Tier 5 entry visa as soon as they see my passport, as I have been granted one and they may have it in their system (and for which I have all the correct documents) but the stamped entry would be expired?

A bit of my immigration background, I have lived in the UK before, did my masters there on Tier 4 visa and then moved back home.

This move is essential for my career, however, health should be a priority in everyone's life, without which career or anything else wouldn't exist. I feel like I've been placed in a horrible situation of having to choose between one or the other. Hence any advice on the entry to the UK under these circumstances would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[The Station Agent]

I'm afraid this is yet another example of the fact the 1-month visa stamp is a broken system that is too restrictive. It would be far better if the visa echoed what the BRP will say (the full length of stay). Either that or give 2 months to enter. I don't have an easy solution for you, I'm afraid.

[sah10406]

Could I enter the UK on that valid tourist visa even though I will actually be going there to work?

No. Being granted a Tier 5 GAE visa has cancelled your Standard Visitor visa. See https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... eave-ecb22

Even if it was still extant, your Standard Visitor leave has a work prohibition anyway.

You will need to apply for a new 30-day vignette. The best explanation of how to do it is in this guidance for those with a Tier 4 visa, but the procedure is identical for other PBS applications:

https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information-- ... layer-3915