When is 6 months not 6 months? When its a UK Visitor Visa.
Have been researching Tourist Visas (category of entry: visitor) in UK, trying to understand why I fell afoul of the system.
Partly, it's because the system is in transition. Last year there was serious consideration for reducing the tourist visa to 3 months. They did not do so, officially, but the words "no more than 6 months" are more significant than they appear.
If you dig hard enough, there is some interesting information but it is not well sign-posted. I found this relevant information on the page "extending your stay" I hadn't read that page before leaving Australia because another part of the UK Visa site told me you can't extend a tourist visa. Even the travel people said, "Oh your visa will last 6 months, you'll be fine":
If you come to the United Kingdom as a general visitor you are only allowed to stay for a maximum of six months. If you were granted leave to enter for three months (this will be stamped in your passport) and you would like to extend your stay to a maximum of six months you will need to apply using the application form FLR(O).
Downloaded from http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/visitors/extendingyourstay/ on 26/8/09
I went back and checked my passport. I can't see a stamp for how long I could stay. There is a stamp that is not legible so it may be that. There is just a stamp saying I entered on 4th June. I now have one saying I entered on 25th Aug, and alongside that is the stamp saying I have leave to enter until 10th October.
Eventually, I found some guidelines on what documentation to bring with you - these were not on the site I used to check out my visa information at the start which was the Border Control website. The Border Control website was the one the British Council in Australia linked to. Foolish me for assuming that was the information I needed.
This page explains what documents you should have when coming to the United Kingdom as a general visitor.
They are:
(Downloaded from http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/visitors/documents/ on 26/8/09)
It's the Caesar's wife thing: I had to be not only above reproach, but be seen to be above reproach.
I guess it is good that I'll know for next time.
Partly, it's because the system is in transition. Last year there was serious consideration for reducing the tourist visa to 3 months. They did not do so, officially, but the words "no more than 6 months" are more significant than they appear.
If you dig hard enough, there is some interesting information but it is not well sign-posted. I found this relevant information on the page "extending your stay" I hadn't read that page before leaving Australia because another part of the UK Visa site told me you can't extend a tourist visa. Even the travel people said, "Oh your visa will last 6 months, you'll be fine":
If you come to the United Kingdom as a general visitor you are only allowed to stay for a maximum of six months. If you were granted leave to enter for three months (this will be stamped in your passport) and you would like to extend your stay to a maximum of six months you will need to apply using the application form FLR(O).
Downloaded from http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/visitors/extendingyourstay/ on 26/8/09
I went back and checked my passport. I can't see a stamp for how long I could stay. There is a stamp that is not legible so it may be that. There is just a stamp saying I entered on 4th June. I now have one saying I entered on 25th Aug, and alongside that is the stamp saying I have leave to enter until 10th October.
Eventually, I found some guidelines on what documentation to bring with you - these were not on the site I used to check out my visa information at the start which was the Border Control website. The Border Control website was the one the British Council in Australia linked to. Foolish me for assuming that was the information I needed.
This page explains what documents you should have when coming to the United Kingdom as a general visitor.
They are:
- a letter from your employer granting leave of absence from your job for a specified period. The letter should also say how long you have been employed by that employer, in what job(s) and should indicate when you are expected back at work;
- if you are self-employed, evidence of your business activities and financial standing;
- evidence of any property you own in your home country;
- if you are a student, a letter from your school or college stating which course you are on, its start and finish dates and the dates of the holiday period during which you intend to visit the United Kingdom;
- evidence of savings available to you.
(Downloaded from http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/visitors/documents/ on 26/8/09)
It's the Caesar's wife thing: I had to be not only above reproach, but be seen to be above reproach.
I guess it is good that I'll know for next time.