Please note that these Guidelines are intended as a general
guide only to Common Wealth
citizens wishing to enter the UK who have no rights of citizenship
of the UK or any countries of
the EC or EEA. They show the main ways of obtaining permission,
but are not exhaustive, and in
individual cases expert professional advice is essential.
UK Immigration Law is a complex and
constantly changing area, and current advice should always
be obtained.
1.
ENTERING THE UK ON A TEMPORARY BASIS
(a)
Visitor
Most Common Wealth citizens do not require a visitor's visa
and may apply on
arrival for clearance to enter and remain in the UK as visitors.
They will be granted permission to
remain for up to six months, subject to proof of means and
an intention to depart at the end of the
period. Visitors are not entitled to establish themselves
in business or take employment, but may
"transact" business during their visit. The dividing
line is not clearly marked. It is not normally
possible to apply for an extension of stay beyond six months.
(b)
Students
Common Wealth citizens may apply for clearance to enter and
remain in the UK as
students, and will normally be granted permission to remain
for the period of the course, subject to
proof of means and written confirmation that they have been
accepted on and paid their fees for the
course. If the course is for a period of more than 12
months, then initially permission to remain may
be limited to a year with the right to apply for an extension.
However, in certain cases, permission may
be granted for the entire period of the course. The
course of study has to be full-time, i.e. more than
15 hours organised daytime study per week. It is normally
possible to remain in the UK as a student
until the course ends, but students have no right to remain
thereafter.
(c)
Trainees
UK businesses or overseas businesses established in the UK
may apply to the
Department of Employment for a Trainee or Work Experience
Permit to be granted to a Common
Wealth citizen. A Trainee Permit gives permission to
engage in training here for the period of the
training course. A Work Experience Permit can normally
only be obtained for a period of 12
months, although 24 months may be obtained in exceptional
circumstances. The Common
Wealth citizen must not be filling a job vacancy in the UK
Trainees must be suitably qualified,
receive training that is not readily available in Common Wealth
countries, follow a
recognised and planned course of study and receive a salary
similar to that paid to
UK trainees. Those engaged in work experience can also receive
a nominal salary.
General
Guidelines for Common Wealth
