How long can I stay on a visitors visa throughout the year?

If I went to the UK on a visitors visa or business visitors visa for 6 months, would I be allowed to come back again fairly soon or would I have to wait a certain amount of time before returning?

Hi...I am NOT an authority on this, but I will share with you what I was told yesterday when I made a phone call to the British Embassy in New York.

I called to ask them several questions, because I made my 6th visit (in 1 1/2 yrs.) to the UK a few weeks ago and was questioned quite extensively (and negatively) when I arrived. This was the first time I have ever been asked more than a few questions...even when the twins and I went for a month this past Feb/March they never said anything. The three of us are planning on going back for 4 months sometime in August, so I wanted to call and ask them if there was anything "illegal" about this at all and what I could do to insure I wouldn't be hassled at immigration, or even worse, refused entry.

I was told that it is not illegal at all for a US citizen to come to the UK for up to 6 months at a time (on passport as a visitor) but it is totally up the the discretion of whatever immigration official you happen to go through as to whether or not they want to let you in. It sounds totally random to me. The luck of the draw.  I really expected some black and white information!

I have been in the UK 40 days since January...and asked specifically if the 6 months entry clearance was for each visit or if it was 6 months accumulated visits throughout a calendar year. The man I spoke with said it was 6 months per visit...contrary to what I have been told by several people here on this board. I don't think ANYTHING is clearcut with immigrations! Grrrr.

I don't know if you were asking about visiting with your passport...or if you were going to apply for a visitor's visa even though US citizens aren't required to get one. That may be different. www.britainusa.com is a site you can look for visa info on. (and where I found the phone number to call!)

Good luck, geally

The man you spoke with was correct, you get a brand-new 6 months every time you enter - and you can stay until it expires.  *BUT* The rules say that a visitor will *normally* be in the UK for a maximum of 6 months out of the last 12 months.  They figure that if somebody is there for a longer period, that they are pursuing a different agenda than tourism, etc - and most of the time they are right.

It's not a hard-and-fast thing - the IO just needs to be satisfied that you are within the rules.  And it's completely up to the IO's judgement.  The important thing when the IO questions you is to think up something that's normal, logical, and honest.

To clarify the other thing that you heard:  you cannot apply for a change of status from within the UK if you have been here more than 6 months of the last 12 months on visas that were issued for 6 months or less (like visitor visas).  It's "spent leave".  They tend to toe the line on that one - but not always.  Hope that helps!

You can stay 6 months (180 days) with a visitor's visa.

Technically, you are allowed one visitor's visa per calendar year, so at most, 6 months of each 12 could be spent in the UK.

If you're wanting to stay longer, you should look into a different type of visa.

Just here to add my 2p about the "staying 6 months on your passport" thingy. It's super duper risky. Many people on this site have had experiences where they've been turned away at UK Immigration and sent back home on the next plane. I didn't get sent back, but was held for several hours and interrogated and they came within a monkey's hair of not letting me in the country. Were we doing anything illegal? Nope, not a durned thing. But like the guy over the phone told geally, it is TOTALLY up to the discretion of the person you get behind the counter, and they don't have to have a good excuse to kick you out. Could be because they just feel like it. Could be because they don't believe your story and think that you are trying to live in the UK permanently but doing it thr wrong way. Could be because they suspect you'll try to get married in the UK without going through the hoops of a fiancee visa. Could be because they think you'll overstay your 6 months and work illegally. So it's a real, honest risk. Some people get through just fine, some will be sent back home and need to re-enter on some kind of proper visa. Unfair I know, but there's nothing anyone can do about it.

Marlespro is absolutely right.  We all quote the "6 months on a visitor's visa" as though it's our right...it's not.  I should have been clearer in my response.  If you go in with the intention of staying and you have things with you that make it look like you're staying (could be any kind of evidence), immigration will want to know why you're staying so long, and there's absolutely no guarantee that you'll get in.

I'm a real advocate of playing things exactly by the rules.  If there's a chance that you'll be doing anything other than visiting whilst on a visitor's visa, it really is worth the headache and expense of getting the correct visa....I just couldn't deal with being turned away at the immigration desk!   

all of this is making me extreamly worried.
My friend  visited the UK for 6 months and had a work visa because she has a college degree. But when her visa was up she was not able to stay of course..
   She now tells me if i go for 6 months i have to go to PARIS To get it stamped and inter again! WTF? i am so confused. She says she has researched all this out and I belive her, but now I am terrified. My plane ticket has already been arraanged for 6 months stay  July 31-jan31st  and now what do i do? I am paniced.  I leave on the 31st with my boyfriend, who house I am staying at.
   Shuold i tell them i am staying at my girlfriend's house. she lives  a few hours away.. Or should i tell the truth. OH i hate this its a pain in the ass, but i am in love and  my friends think i am crazy because he's funding my trip and everything.. Its so hard when ur friends dont understand
     Shala

I'm a bit confused...

Your friend had a work visa because of her college degree?  But had to leave after 6 months?  I think she must not have been telling the story correctly.  A college degree doesn't automatically qualify you for a work visa, and a work visa does not generally run out after 6 months.  It continues as long as the job does. 

What she is suggesting is, that after your six months are up you can go to Paris, have your passport stamped there, and then come immediately back to the UK for a further 6 months.  Not only is this advice essentially irrelevant to your situation, as you are coming back to the US after 6 months, but, while it is not technically illegal, it is likely to get you red-flagged at immigration and sent back to the US anyway.

And never, ever, ever lie to Immigration.  Tell them the truth (you can say your boyfriend is a "friend", as that's not really a lie): that you are staying with him for six months. 

Thanks i do think  her situation is totally diffrent than mine. SHe went there to have fun after her graduation from College. I am going to be with the man I love and  enjoy a diffrent culture.
  I am sure this resouce here that u hae provided for me that I found on my own is the RIGHT information
  Thank you.
 I think she thinks her way is the only way to do things.  I did not plan on staying longer than 6 months.
I am very nervous about going though customs/immigration cos its nerve wracking..
 but i am going to be okay..
 Thank u
 
 shala

I am very nervous about going though customs/immigration cos its nerve wracking..
 but i am going to be okay..

If you get detained and if it starts to look like you're in over your head, you'll be able to buy a phone card and give me a call.  I'm in the non-profit sector so you don't have to pay.  Deets are at http://www.oisc.gov.uk/adviser_finder/register.asp?type=exempt&section=g

Perhaps this person is talking about getting a BUNAC visa which you have to be or have been a recent student to get and is good for 6 months.  Maybe the leaving the country is to come back for a visitors visa?  First thing that jumped into my head because its similar to what I did last year

I dont know what she did. I am going to find out because she is making me nervous. I have been friends wiht this person a long time. But as we allknow there are so many things and  ways to get to the UK and permits and things. I dont know what she did i will let u all know as soon as i can.  thanks guys it helps to get the right info.

The UK is no different to the US in that people are admitted at the IOs discretion (except for the US it is supposed to be a max of 90 days as a visitor rather than 6 months like the UK). If your British partner came to the US to stay with you for 90 days, flew home and a month later tried to come for another 90 days, he could well be detained and sent back to the UK. At least 6 months is a more reasonable time to 'test out' a relationship.

well here goes nothing. I am leaving tomorrow. I PRAY i dont get deatined LOL.
I have over $3000 dollars and I am sure if i need more more can come from my parents. BUT thats what i will tell the person at immigration. My boyfriend has a great job and will help me with money
NERVOUS
aaah
other than that it should be no problemo :-d
thanks for all ur help i will be in touch