BUNAC then tourist for brief stay?

I am planning on entering the UK with a BUNAC visa on approx. June 27, staying almost 6 months, through approx. Dec. 22. My plan is to return back to the US for Christmas and then come back to the UK to celebrate New Years (arriving around Dec. 29 and staying through Jan. 6 or so.) Will Immigration look at this return to the UK badly? I am trying to ensure that my tourist entry won't be denied. I would bring along proof of my return ticket and evidence I have ties to the US - as I need to return for the start of a new term at my university! What are the chances that the second (tourist) entry will be denied?

Thanks!

I am planning on entering the UK with a BUNAC visa on approx. June 27, staying almost 6 months, through approx. Dec. 22. My plan is to return back to the US for Christmas and then come back to the UK to celebrate New Years (arriving around Dec. 29 and staying through Jan. 6 or so.) Will Immigration look at this return to the UK badly? I am trying to ensure that my tourist entry won't be denied. I would bring along proof of my return ticket and evidence I have ties to the US - as I need to return for the start of a new term at my university! What are the chances that the second (tourist) entry will be denied?

Thanks!

Sounds fine to me.  Bring all your docs and ticket to show, and probably something to explain the premise wouldn't hurt.  You should be fine.

I actually did a similar thing, although a few years ago.  I went in on the 29th of June 2003 and did my six months.  Then I decided I was going to go to Ireland on a similar visa to BUNAC, but they didn't recommend going over until February since it was hard to find a job in January.  So I didn't want to be illegal, so I crossed over to Calais on the ferry on 28th December, bought some wine and went back to reenter in Dover on 29th December on a tourist visa.  The immigration official went away with my visa for a while, but she came back eventually and stamped me.  It was a pain, but I'm glad I played by the rules then so that I'm not gonna have any trouble now with my settlement visa.  Good luck!

It should be fine. I came over on BUNAC in June 2002 - Dec. 2002. Went home and then came back to visit my boyfriend (now husband) in July 2003. I should also point out that I didn't evade the reason for my visit at immigration either. I just said that I was visiting my boyfriend when I came back and was waved straight through. Over the years I've been back and forth about 9 times (usually every 5-6 months) and always said I was visiting my boyfriend/fiance. Not once was I detained/questioned/sent home. Easy peasy. 

Thanks so much! Just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be refused after buying the ticket. I have a number of tourist entry stamps in my passport from the past couple years and am afraid I'll start to be more seriously questioned soon! (Part of the reason I am doing BUNAC is to spend more time with my boyfriend as well as gain work experience in the UK, in preparation for a permanent move after our wedding in a couple years.)