Non traditional travel red flag?

[C5chrisc]

Hello all,

Last fall I traveled to the UK using a mix of telework and paid holiday from my US employer. I was in the UK for a total of 10 weeks: 8 weeks UK then 1 in Europe then 2 back in UK.

I knew any mention of telework would likely cause problems at immigration so I just said 'holiday' and paid vacation/savings. This plus a return ticket home seemed to suffice at immigration both times.

I loved my time in the UK and would love to find a sponsored position, but now I'm extremely worried how this long trip in the UK would look on a visa application.

Let's say I found a job in the next year would this be a red flag? Would immigration ask for follow-up documentation detailing my 11 week travel ie employer pay stubs saying it was all holiday?

Would it be better to wait a few years before trying to get a tier 2 visa?

For context: I usually visit the UK once or twice a year either for work or on my way home from a work trip but no more than a week or so at a time (I work for an international org so I travel abroad a lot)

[CR001]

Assuming you mean apply for a Tie 2 General visa once you get a sponsor, being in the UK as a visitor and a Tier 2 are two completely different sets of rules, neither dependent on the other.

[C5chrisc]

Thanks so much for your response.

My concern was specifically that when applying for a tier 2 visa that I would have to list my UK travel history and the fairly recent, near 3 month trip would warrant further questioning.

Are you saying that that's likely not the case since my general visitor visas were already approved and therefore wouldn't impact my tier 2 app?

[CR001]

You are overthining.

However, if it ever emerged that you worked while in the UK as a visitor, you will likely have problems as this is strictly prohibited for visitors.

[C5chrisc]

You are overthining.

Story of my life

However, if it ever emerged that you worked while in the UK as a visitor, you will likely have problems as this is strictly prohibited for visitors.

Hence my concern. Wondering if there's a way for it to 'emerge' aside from my slipping and saying anything.