How do I determine if I need a tourist visa?
 

I cross-posted this in the forums.

I will be living and working in London from July through September 30. I am in the process of getting my UK work visa now. I'm hoping to stay on in Europe through October 15. How do I determine whether or not I need a tourist visa to cover me during that timeframe?

Here are the details of what I would do:

* Work in London (taking weekend trips around UK and beyond) July 9 - September 30
* Leave UK to travel western Europe (most likely) until October 15
* Return to London October 16 (to pick up my bags)
* Fly home to US October 17

How would I find out whether I would need a tourist visa to do this? I have a UK immigration consultant, but she is unable to answer questions about my traveling outside of the UK.

You live in the US but you have not told us your nationality, which is the very first thing that you need to say when asking such a question.

Do you have a work visa for the UK? Valid until what date?

Oh, I see you have applied for the visa (or will soon apply) -- no reply possible until you reveal the validity dates.

Sorry...I am a US citizen. The UK work visa is valid June 30 - September 30.

I don't think you need a tourist visa. If you leave the UK on the date that the business visa expires and then return some weeks later, you enter the UK as a tourist but would double check that.

Thanks, Odin.

My UK visa consultant confirmed what you said. I guess I'm more worried about travelling outside the UK after my work visa expires because I will have been in Europe for +90 days (albeit in a different capacity and not as a tourist).

"<i>I guess I'm more worried about travelling outside the UK after my work visa expires because I will have been in Europe for +90 days (albeit in a different capacity and not as a tourist).</i>"

If I understand that you will be in the UK for the period before you travel to the continent -- you will be fine. The '90 days' starts from the time you enter Schengen -- not from the time you entered the UK.

Thanks, janisj. You understand correctly! That is helpful info.

The UK is not part of the Schengen zone, so the time you have spent here has absolutely no bearing on the amount of time you can spend on the continent.

here = there

Thanks kerouac!