Visiting the UK for tourism on a Business Visitor visa, after previously visiting the country for business
I already got Business Visitor Visa (Multi Entry) for UK in previous year, when I participated in the conference in London. My Visa is not expired yet. I want to spend my holiday in UK. My question is, can I enter to the UK for tourism purpose with my current Business Visitor Visa? If yes, can you please, show me related government rule or like this ? I don't want get rejected in UK airport!
Best Answer
For your question about which government rule relates to your case, the answer is Paragraph 46G of the Immigration Rules. And specifically sub paragraph (iii)...
intends to do one or more of the following during his visit:
Based upon what you wrote, you have accomplished one or more of those things and you now propose to use your entry clearance for tourism.
It's true that they will tolerate tourism as part of a business visit as long as it is incidental. But you would be making separate visits for separate purposes so it's hard to see how the justification can be made. Moreover, you cannot switch out of a Business Visitor Visa into a General Visitor Visa; it was part of the conditions you (implicitly) agreed to when it was issued.
Consequently, your concern about being bounced at the airport is genuine.
On the bright side, however, the Business Visitor Visa will be abolished on 24 April 2015 and merged into the new Visitor (standard) Visa. This means that you will not be encumbered by the restrictions of Paragraph 46G in the future (although there will be different restrictions). You will not be able to use your existing visa to switch into the new Visitor (standard) Visa.
In addition to the rule link I gave, there's also caseworker guidance published here where you can read more on how the rules are interpreted.
Update from 20 March 2015
Bowing to pressure from advocacy groups, the Home Office has reversed a policy. Accordingly this answer needs an amendment... Holders of a Business Visitor Visa who received their visa prior to 24 April 2015 can perform ANY permitted activity under the new regime. Namely...
People who hold a valid visit visa that was issued prior to 24 April 2015 can use this to enter the UK provided they are still a genuine visitor.
They will be able to use this visa to carry out the additional permitted activities. For example, a person with a business visit visa can use this to enter the UK for a holiday or to receive private medical treatment.
Source: email from the Home Office to stakeholders sent on 20 March 2015 (today)
As always when rules or policies change, carry a print-out with you. Not all line staff are in the same tranche for training.
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Can I travel to UK with business visa?
The UK business visa is a one-time or longer-term visa that allows holders to stay in the UK for up to 6 months at a time. You must apply for this visa if you are visiting the UK for reasons such as: You are attending a conference, meeting or training. You are taking part in a sports activity.How many times can I visit UK on a visitor visa?
You can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit. If you're under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18.Can I enter multiple times on a UK visitor visa?
If you need a visa, you must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you arrive in the UK. Your visa will be multiple entry, so you can leave during breaks and return to the UK using the same visa as long as it is valid.Can I visit the UK twice in a tourist visa holding of a 6 month multi visit visa?
That six-month limit on any one stay applies even if the visit visa is valid for much longer, such as a two-year, five-year or ten-year multi-entry visa. The visitor is permitted to stay in the UK for a maximum of six months from the date of any given entry (or up to the expiry date on the visa, whichever is soonest).GOODNEWS! Update on UK Visas. Changes to Visa Processing Times for Work, Study and Visit Visa
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Pixabay, Ton Patron, Olga Lioncat