UK visa issuance date
Please kindly confirm if I can still travel with my visa. I have a five-year UK visa but have not traveled to the UK for 3 years. Can I still travel with the visa? I understand that there is a new policy that states that one must travel after two weeks of visa issuance.
Best Answer
You have a five-year visa, but have been out of the UK for 3 continuous years. You want to know if you can still use your visa for travel.
No, you are no longer able to use your visa to enter the UK. All UK visas, including "Indefinite Leave to Remain" expire after two years outside of the UK. The controlling technical reference is Paragraph 20 of the Immigration Rules (emphasis mine).
The leave of a person whose stay in the United Kingdom is subject to a time limit lapses on his going to a country or territory outside the common travel area if the leave was given for a period of six months or less or conferred by a visit visa. In other cases, leave lapses on the holder remaining outside the United Kingdom for a continuous period of more than two years.
The rule goes on to state that it is possible to ask for an exemption:
His application to re-enter the United Kingdom should be considered in the light of all the relevant circumstances.
While it may be possible, it may not be practical, as you would be pleading your case at the border and, should the authorities not find in your favor, you would be sent back to your originating or home country.
You also wrote:
I understand that there is a new policy that states that one must travel after two weeks of visa issuance.
This has to do with those who must collect Biometric Residence Permits from a Post Office or similar agency. Based on what you wrote, it is not relevant to your situation and what you heard is stated inaccurately in any case.
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How do I find my UK visa issue date?
The visa validity date is shown on the vignette, where it states: 'visa valid for the United Kingdom from (date) until (date)'. Since June 2019 the \u201cCAT D\u201d vignette (figure 2) is used for almost all categories including visit, employment, study and settlement.Are UK visas being issued?
You can apply for a visit visa from any UK VAC . You should apply for all other UK visas from the country you're living in. If your VAC is closed due to coronavirus restrictions, you can apply online and select a VAC in another country worldwide to submit your application and biometrics.Why UK visa getting delayed 2022?
Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, the processing times for all applications have been increasing. The UKVI has been prioritising the processing of UK visa applications from Ukrainians fleeing the invasion, and this has caused delays for all other UK visa applicants.How long does a UK visa take to issue?
Visit the UK Standard visitor visa applications are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.UK VISA processing time update 2022 | Why it is getting delayed | How to get UK VISA faster
More answers regarding uK visa issuance date
Answer 2
Called the UKVI, and the two-week rule of which you speak does not exist.
However, as stated in the other answer, not having used your visa in two years effectively renders it invalid.
In any case, not having used your visa shortly after obtaining it may well invoke suspicion regarding your purpose of travel, so in such cases, the traveller should bring any and all documentation proving why they never went to the UK shortly after having applied for and received the visa.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: cottonbro, cottonbro, Tima Miroshnichenko, Lina Kivaka