Visiting the UK as a tourist and later returning to UK [duplicate]

I'm from Argentina wanting to joining my girlfriend who will be studying for one year in Edinburgh. As an Argentine I don't need any particular permit to go to UK as a tourist. The permit of stay is for a maximum of 6 months.

But what if after the 6 months I go to e.g. Spain for one month and then return to the UK - does the tourist 6 month permit start running again?

Is there a minimum period of time for which you have to be out of the UK so as the tourist permit starts running again?

I'm only considering the option of leaving to somewhere in Europe.

uk argentina repeat-visits

Best Answer

There is no formal limit, but Border agents have discretion whether to admit you. If they think that you are living in the UK with your girlfriend and pretending to be a tourist, they will not admit you. In my experience the border agents are reasonable, but they are not stupid.

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Can I leave the UK and come back in on a tourist visa?

The UK doesn't operate exit controls, so the first the immigration authorities know you've left is when you come back! Assuming you're on a tourist visa waiver, you can come and go as long as you continue to meet the terms of your leave of entry.

How many times can a tourist enter the UK?

There is no limit on the frequency of visits or specified maximum period visitors are allowed to spend in the UK in any 12-month period. However, if you spend more time in the UK than in your country of residence the Immigration Officer may have grounds to believe that you live in the UK.

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.

Can I leave and reenter the UK?

With Student permission, you can leave and re-enter the UK as often as you wish before the end date of your course. On re-entering, you will need to show the Border Force Officer some evidence, so you should carry all of the following in your hand luggage: Your passport, and your BRP if you have one.

UK Visitor Visa | UK Tourist Visa Processing time

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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