Leaving and entering the UK past Tier 5 visa end date

I'm an American student who will be interning in the UK on a Tier 5 Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa for 8 weeks this summer. I was wondering if it would be possible to stay longer to attend my cousin's wedding in Luxembourg exactly one week past the end date listed on my certificate of sponsorship.

I would like to return to the UK after the wedding with the intention of leaving within a day or two. That way I wouldn't have to bring all my luggage for the summer to the wedding. But would I be allowed to re-enter the UK past the end date on my CoS? Or would it be ill-advised to stay in the UK past the end date at all?

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Best Answer

While there are circumstances under which you might apply to extend a Tier 5 visa, it may not be the most effective way to go about remaining in the UK.

It is extremely ill-advised to stay past the end date; it would constitute an overstay in your immigration record and, in future, you would need to apply for a UK visit visa, rather than allowed visa-free entry as a US citizen.

You should leave the UK by the end of your visa validity, as you already plan to do to attend the wedding in Luxembourg. On your return, you present at the border as a US citizen seeking visa-free entry. You may not be asked, but be prepared to explain your plans, to retrieve your belongings and take your flight home.