Can a US Citizen on a 6-month travel visa stamp out in Ireland and stamp back in?

Question

I am curious to know, if as a US Citizen, can I take a short trip to Ireland or The Netherlands within my 6-month tourist visa validity and re-enter the UK without a problem for another 6 months?

I am still waiting on another visa to be processed and so I need a way to remain in Europe without having to return all the way back across the Atlantic.

Answer 1

so long as your travel visa has not expired you can go to and fro between countries as you please. but if it's expired and you're waiting for a new one, i'd suggest checking with the u.s. embassy in the uk first.

Answer 2

as far as i know ther would'nt be a problem, the laws are a little more relaxed than in the U.S.

Answer 3

No. The visa is valid for six months within any twelve month period. If your six months are up, you cannot re-enter for another six months.

Answer 4

As a US citizen, you're likely to get a 6 month visitor visa upon entry.  Since visitor visas are usually multiple entry, if you re-enter the UK from another country within the 6 months, you will not be re-issued a different visa.  On the other hand, multiple entry means you can come and go as often as you want.

Also, you won't be 'stamped out' or 'in' in Ireland.  Ireland and the UK are under a Common Travel Area, and although you should have your passport, you will not be issued a different visa for the other country when you travel between the two, whether by air, land or sea.

The Common Travel Area thing isn't true if you go to mainland Europe; it's just for the UK and Ireland.  For example, you will get a different tourist visa when you enter the Netherlands.

So if you have several options:

-Leave the UK and re-enter from outside the UK or Ireland after your six months are up.  The agent at the port of entry might not like this, say you're pushing it to be a 'visitor', and say you should have applied for a longer visa.

-Same as above, but re-enter in Ireland (from mainland Europe) and get an Irish tourist visa at the port of entry.  Under the CTA agreement, you probably won't get hassled if you travel back to the UK (because there is usually not an immigration check... especially if you went up north to Northern Ireland (UK) and flew to the mainland UK)

-When you first enter the UK, try to get the agent to give you a longer stay.  At least ask what your chances are of getting another visitor visa reissued if you re-enter after your six months are up.

I might try the second option.  Or keep your total trip to six months.  Or leave the UK & Ireland after six months and go to mainland Europe.  

Answer 5

Tuesday is correct. I had already queried this with the UK Border Agency. A US Citizen is a non-visa national and as such can enter the UK but cannot stay any longer than 6 months in any 12 month period. To stay longer than 6 months in any 12 month period you need a multi entry visitor visa - this can be for 1 year, 2 years or 5 years and cost $431 currently. You have to apply for this VISA in the USA at one of the VISA processing centres in New York, Chicago or LA.

Even with this visa you cannot remain in the UK for longer than 6 months in any one visit - you have to leave the country and come back to the UK but at least with the multi entry visitor visa you just have to leave the UK i.e. you don't have to go back to the USA BUT the country you go to you will be subject to their entry clearance. Generally europe is not an issue but there have been some rumblings mainly on a t*t for tat basis due to the USA making changes to the visa waiver program for visitors to the USA from EEU countries.

Following link takes you to the various guides and PDF copies of the forms (you have to apply on line in the USA) but this will let you see just what is required for these visas. You cannot work in the UK on these visa and you have to be able to show you have sufficient funds to survive. The visa fee is non refundable whether your visa application is granted or not.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/...