Has anyone extended Visit Visa - Need help Please

[sapvish]

Hello Everyone...

I have been looking at different forums for this piece of information, but couldnt find any solid info. This is my query.
1. When i apply for visit visa, generally for what period is the visa approved? Some say 6 months, some say 2 yrs with permission to stay in UK for only 6 months at any one time. Which of these 2 is true.
2. Whatever the answer is for the first question, I do understand that I can stay only 6 months max at one time and before 6 months completion, I need to exit UK. So my question is, has anyone been in this situation where they exited UK at the end of 6 months and reentered (May be returned bak to home country/ any EU countries).
3. I have heard that visa officers will question if reentered UK within a short duration. Hence would like to know what is decent duration of time to spend outside UK before attempting to reenter UK so as to be saved from questioning?

Please help me with these questions. Basically I need to stay in UK for 2 years (no intention of working). Want to experience UK visit different places during this period. So want to know whats the best way to make it possible.

[vinny]

VAT1.5 Frequency and duration of visits

Can I extend my stay as a general visitor?

Do you qualify for the Youth mobility scheme or Post-Study Work?

[sapvish]

Thanks for the response vinny... Just had one more doubt.
VAT1.4 Visa validity - What period for a multiple entry visit visa? in the link that you provided specifies about visit visa with longer validity. Even in this case does it mean that i can stay for only 6 months in 12 month duration? and if I have to return bak to UK again then i have to spend 6 months out of UK and then only reenter UK? Please help to advice..[/url]

[Wanderer]

Thanks for the response vinny... Just had one more doubt.
VAT1.4 Visa validity - What period for a multiple entry visit visa? in the link that you provided specifies about visit visa with longer validity. Even in this case does it mean that i can stay for only 6 months in 12 month duration? and if I have to return bak to UK again then i have to spend 6 months out of UK and then only reenter UK? Please help to advice..[/url]

Yes, anything more would be taken as an attempt to settle and probably result in a ban.

[sapvish]

Thanks for the response.
I came across a section about long term visit visas in this link.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply ... s#21230918

Was keen to know if one can stay longer than 6 months on long term visit visas.. provided we satisfy all conditons required for long term visit visas.

May be initially apply for a short term for 6 months and later while in UK apply for a long term visa? Pls advice.

The person to whom I need this information doesnt qualify for Youth mobility scheme or Post-Study Work...bcos in these categories i believe visit visas could be changed to diff visa category.

[Wanderer]

Thanks for the response.
I came across a section about long term visit visas in this link.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply ... s#21230918

Was keen to know if one can stay longer than 6 months on long term visit visas.. provided we satisfy all conditons required for long term visit visas.

May be initially apply for a short term for 6 months and later while in UK apply for a long term visa? Pls advice.

The person to whom I need this information doesnt qualify for Youth mobility scheme or Post-Study Work...bcos in these categories i believe visit visas could be changed to diff visa category.

Not, it's just not possible, forget it.