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What are the rules for my girlfriend's 2-year UK visa regarding the 180-day stay limit?

UK VisaVisa DurationImmigration RulesStay LimitsNon-UK ResidentsExpat AdviceVisa Advice
May 16, 2023
2 years ago
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My girlfriend has now got a two year visa to come to the U.K.

I know she is only allowed a maximum of 180 days a year, my question is…. When does it start, 1st January each year or does she have to stay a certain amount of time out of the U.K. before coming back.

So after say six months in the U.K. she goes back to Thailand in November can she start again for the next 6 months on the 2 January.

Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about the specifics of their girlfriend's 2-year UK visa, particularly how the 180-day limit on stay is calculated each year. Commencing discussions, various commenters highlight differing interpretations of visa rules, including the importance of the date stamp on the visa regarding her entry; suggestions of traveling to other countries to reset the allowance; and differing opinions on the interpretation of the 180-day rule per visit vs. per year. It appears that entry is based on visa validity, but the consensus suggests a need for clarification from an immigration officer to confirm personal circumstances.
Thomas *********
If it's for the UK she can stay for the entire time of visa. Start date stamped in visa to end date. If she spends more than 8 weeks I believe out of the UK within the visa period. Her visa will be revoked. You need to check this with the immigration officer at port of entry as the law changes by the week.
2 years ago
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Will ************
She can enter on the first day the visa is valid, the last day she can be in the UK is the visa expiry date
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
Without being an expert in UK visas, the system is usually 90 days in any running 180 days. This is at least how the Schengen visas work.
2 years ago
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Mally *******
Why didn't you put in for a fiance visa she would have got 2
***
years
2 years ago
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Billy *******
Don't do it!
2 years ago
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Thomas *******
Her Visa will have the date stamp on it.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
She can spend 180 days the she has to leave for 180 days simple im sure the clock starts when she enters and talking to many ladies that have been you’ll be lucky if she stays 2 months.Good Luck
2 years ago
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Steve *******
@Bob *********
 Totally Incorrect. Why comment on something you know nothing about?
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Steve ******
 Read the OP’s post 180 days In 1 year
2 years ago
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Steve *******
@Bob *********
 That's also incorrect.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Steve ******
 so she can enter for 180 days then leave for a week and come back for 180 more ??
2 years ago
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Steve *******
@Bob *********
 Yep
2 years ago
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Steve *******
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Bob **********
@Steve ******
 so what’s correct immigration man
2 years ago
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Steve *******
@Bob *********
 You DONT need to leave the Country for 180 days!
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Steve ******
 why she gets 180 a year after she does that what does she do
2 years ago
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Steve *******
@Bob *********
 NOT 180 days per year. 180 days per visit.
2 years ago
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Andy ********
@Steve ******
 that makes more sense. It is a multi entry visa lasting 2 years. Each entry can be up to 180 days.

That makes perfect sense.
2 years ago
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Steve *******
@Andy *******
 You got it!
2 years ago
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Steve *******
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Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 We have been together for 8

years and she has been to the UK the last 4 years, first year 3 months then 3 years for 5 months each time, but we do break it up staying in Spain, Italy and Greece. No problems what so ever.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Chris ********
 sounds good
2 years ago
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Bob **********
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Us *****
I am from California and visited England like 10 times in my life. Good luck getting someone to like England after 2 weeks.
2 years ago
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John *********
@Us ****
 what does California have to offer? Burgers steak and pizzas and no history.🤔🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇺🇦🚜
2 years ago
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Us *****
@John ********
 I left California 3 months ago for Thailand. Got sick of the inflation. Just good weather amd good food. That's all they have in Cali.
2 years ago
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Us *****
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Gary **********
@Us ****
 then why come 10 times you pratt.🔔end
2 years ago
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Us *****
@Gary *********
 I have family in England and it's my base to hop all over Europe.
2 years ago
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Us *****
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Russell *******
@Us ****
 What don't you like about it?
2 years ago
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Us *****
@Russell ******
 the weather, the currency, 20% vat, I can write a book on it lol
2 years ago
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Billy *******
@Russell ******
 Compared to Thailand? Please.
2 years ago
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Russell *******
@Billy ******
 ok sorry 😞
2 years ago
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Russell *******
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Lynnette *******
@Us ****
 my US husband came to UK and stayed 40 years.
2 years ago
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Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Us ****
 Hi Us, a bit of a silly statement
2 years ago
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Chris *********
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Vernon *********
What kind of visa has she got?
2 years ago
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Vernon *********
@Chris ********
Ok, but your saying she can only stay 180 days at a time? If she has to leave UK it should be easy to pop over to France or maybe Ireland.
2 years ago
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Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
 hHi Vernon, thanks for the reply, sorry I may now have come over properly.

We have always had a 6 month visa, so arrive and leave within those dates,

Now we have a two year visa and was wondering, if you are allowed 6 months every year starting from the date on the visa or does the new year start on 1 Jan.

So for instance stay for 6 months to the U.K., leave before Christmas then come back for another 6 months in the New Year.
2 years ago
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Vernon *********
@Chris ********
Not sure how your girlfriend's 2 year visa works. I am sure a lot of people on here who will be interested to know.
2 years ago
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Vernon *********
@Chris ********
I just googled which countries your girlfriend can visit without a visa and they include Andorra, Cyprus, Georgia.
2 years ago
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Vernon *********
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Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
 yes she always got a 6 month visa but this year decided to go for a two year one
2 years ago
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Vernon *********
@Chris ********
They used to be only 6 months visa, never heard of a 2 year visa.
2 years ago
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Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
 holiday/tourist visa
2 years ago
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Chris *********
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Stefan ****
Maybe she goes to a shengen country or another non shengen country and then comes back to the UK. Maybe you can do that ..
2 years ago
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Milan *******************
@Stefan ***
 it starts when she enters, can stay 180 days in total in 365 days. Going in our out of the country doesn’t make a difference and doesn’t reset the 180 days.
2 years ago
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Andy ********
@Milan ******************
 I think that is how it was for the UK I don't believe it is now.

I couldn't be sure enough to give a definiteive answer so would as the UK group as already suggested.
2 years ago
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Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Milan ******************
 Hi Milan, is that a fact for the UK, thanks
2 years ago
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Milan *******************
@Chris ********
 it is for Schengen at least.. why don’t you simply ask the embassy of UK that issued the visa? 🤣
2 years ago
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Milan *******************
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Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stefan ***
 yes we can do that thanks as she has got a year Schengan visa, but does the UK year start on the 1 Jan or is it a rolling sort of visa. Thanks
2 years ago
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Thomas *******
@Chris ********
 , it starts when she gets there.
2 years ago
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Thomas *******
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Graham ******
Ask on the group UK Visa Information THailand, not here
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2 years ago
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Graham ******
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