Can I live in the UK for a long time through repeat visits?
I had recently entered the UK without a visa to be with my partner, from 21 July 2016 until 16 December 2016. I hope to return on the 9th of January. We don't meet the income requirement for a Spouse visa. I recently applied to university, and got in, and was intending to return to the UK on a student visa, but my university did not tell me about maintenance fees and my loan wasn't large enough to cover it all, so my visa would have been denied. Now, I am hoping to attend university in the next semester, and therefore return to the US to apply for that visa. Do you think that if I try to return to the UK without a visa, I will be turned away? I won't be working or studying during this time, however, I'm afraid that they'll consider it living in the UK illegally; I don't have a criminal record or anything like that.
Best Answer
The UK gov website for the standard UK visitor visa covers this exact scenario:
Your visa may be cancelled and you may get a long-term ban on visiting if your travel history shows you’re repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.
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How often can I enter the UK as a visitor?
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.Can I visit the UK multiple times?
This allows multiple visits to the UK within the period of validity, unless the visa is endorsed as single or dual-entry), but if it is a 'multiple entry' visa, you still cannot remain in the UK as a visitor for more than 6 months on any individual visit.Is the UK 180 day rule per visit or per year?
Visit visas allow stays of no longer than 6 months (or 180 days) per visit. Visit visas can be valid for long term periods (1 year or more), facilitating multiple visits. Additionally, those using visit visas are in general more limited in the activities they are permitted to undertake while in the UK.How can I stay in the UK longer than 6 months?
You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you're:Do it yourself NO TIME LIMIT APPLICATION
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