Visitor visa

I know I can stay in the UK for 6 months. So I am going to be doing classes while I'm there.
Do I have to come back to the US for a certian amount of time before I can re-enter? I was going to come back for a few days and return, since the classes won't be over. I don't know why it would be a problem, but you never know.

Why not get a student visa if you're taking classes?

"Why not get a student visa if you're taking classes?"

I have thought about that. I'll only be taking part time classes. Can I get a student visa if I'm taking part time classes?

Do I have to come back to the US for a certian amount of time before I can re-enter?

From Chapter 2, Annex A of the manual:

"...There is no restriction on the number of visits a person may make to the United Kingdom nor any requirement that a specified time must elapse between successive visits. The fact that a person has made a series of visits with only brief intervals between them would not, in the absence of any other relevant factors, constitute sufficient ground for refusal..."

And from Chapter 3, Annex A:

"...There is no objection to a person, who was given leave to enter as a visitor, undertaking a short course of studies which will be completed within the period of his visit...."

Hope that helps!

As to the part-time classes:  The key words in the above paragraph are "relevant factors".  It's axiomatic that when you tell the IO that you will be attending part-time courses,  they will move to the second level of enquiry.  I suggest that you bring the descriptions of them and your registration (tuition receipts, whatever) so that the IO can review them.   The first entry is relatively easy, it's the 2nd or 3rd that you need to plan for...

Thanks Garry!

You helped calm my nerves.
 

Be prepared to encounter a suspicious IO when you're trying to re-enter after the first 6 months.  It seems that they're really cracking down on people these days and there's chance you won't be granted entry.  It may be better to go the student visa route if that's at all possible for you. 

Just a note:  The original poster says the classes won't be over within the 6 month period, so it doesn't seem as though Chapter 3, Annex A applies, does it?

Just a note:  The original poster says the classes won't be over within the 6 month period, so it doesn't seem as though Chapter 3, Annex A applies, does it?

I would tend to agree with you, Peedal.  I'd think that mentioning the classes to the IO would simply make the IO ask "so where's your student visa?"....particularly if they're of such length as to necessitate a stay of more than 6 months...

I'd think that mentioning the classes to the IO would simply make the IO ask "so where's your student visa?"...

Hopefully, the IO would be aware that student visas are issued for full-time courses, and that there are no WTR provisions for part-time courses. 

I think the "short course" rule has been worded very carefully, and places the onus on the visitor to demonstrate that the course will be *completed* during their visit. 

That particular paragraph is the controlling reference for what "nearlynaked" proposes to do - i.e., part-time courses, and it would apply directly to his/her circumstances.  So I would disagree with both you and Peedal that it does not apply.   Whether or not nearlynaked can clear the "relevant factors" hurdles on a 2nd or 3rd visit depends upon how well he/she is preapred for it.

"I was going to come back for a few days and return, since the classes won't be over" obviously conflicts with "...There is no objection to a person, who was given leave to enter as a visitor, undertaking a short course of studies which will be completed within the period of his visit...." (emphasis added by me).

So exactly how would one prove what isn't true?

Nearlynaked, are you coming to the UK to study, or are you coming for another reason and are just considering studying as an offshoot of your visit?

If student visas aren't available for part time study (and I don't know if they are...you need to ask someone qualified to give you a correct answer), I'd suggest you look into studying full time.  You aren't guaranteed re-entry after your first 6 month visit.  It'd be a shame for you to spend 6 months studying and be denied entry to finish your studies.

If you do plan on risking it, you'll need to be able to prove to the IO that you can support yourself for the entire duration of your stay (this is important for your first entry...but even more important for your subsequent entries).  Remember you can't work, so you're going to need some hefty savings if you're planning on staying in the UK for six months or more.

To be a completel pain in the butt (as usual on this subject) you also aren't guaranteed your first 6 month visit, let alone subsequent visits. Just because you've got the legal privelage to stay in the US for 6 months on your passport doesn't mean they will let you. It is a privelage, not exactly a right, as people are turned away for doing it. Despite doing nothing wrong. All they have to do is suspect you'll break the rules (in this case, stay longer than the 6 months to finish your courses) and they'll pop you on the next plane back to the US. They don't like letting people in if they suspect that person is just trying to live in England without getting a proper visa, or if they suspect that person will want to get married or get a job without going through the proper paperwork etc. PERSONALLY - If I was doing it again I wouldn't make a point of talking about your classes. If they ask - tell you - but if you tell them you plan on taking courses that run more than 6 months their obvious suspicion is going to be that at the end of your 6 months you'll just stay there to finish them - which is a great big fat hairy no-no. So that's my opinion on the matter...

Have to agree. I wouldn't risk this at all unless you had no intention of coming back to the UK for a long long time.

To be a completel pain in the butt (as usual on this subject) you also aren't guaranteed your first 6 month visit, let alone subsequent visits. Just because you've got the legal privelage to stay in the US for 6 months on your passport doesn't mean they will let you. It is a privelage, not exactly a right, as people are turned away for doing it. Despite doing nothing wrong. All they have to do is suspect you'll break the rules (in this case, stay longer than the 6 months to finish your courses) and they'll pop you on the next plane back to the US. They don't like letting people in if they suspect that person is just trying to live in England without getting a proper visa, or if they suspect that person will want to get married or get a job without going through the proper paperwork etc. PERSONALLY - If I was doing it again I wouldn't make a point of talking about your classes. If they ask - tell you - but if you tell them you plan on taking courses that run more than 6 months their obvious suspicion is going to be that at the end of your 6 months you'll just stay there to finish them - which is a great big fat hairy no-no. So that's my opinion on the matter...

Too true, dear Marlespo - and, oh, how we know it.   

Thanks Garry!

You helped calm my nerves.
 

Glad to be of help! 

If it wasn't clear (as indicated by others posting in to this thread) you will need to take note that the 2nd rule I cited (although applicable) is not especially favourable to you, and hence my further comment about the "relevant factors".   You'll need to have all the paperwork at hand, and to spend some time thinking about how that clause will affect you on your 2nd or 3rd entry.

Additionally, I advocate a policy of transparency and honesty where the IND is concerned.