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I've just been approved for a UK ancestry visa from Australia. But I've just realised the start date is three days after I'd like to arrive in the UK. Can I enter early, enter as a tourist and then re-enter later on the ancestry visa?

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  • enter as a tourist and then re-enter Rather than going through the rigmarole, why not enter only once with the Ancestry visa ? – DumbCoder Jun 13 '18 at 7:57
  • @DumbCoder because they cant enter on there visa before it starts. they would need to leave the uk(not to Ireland) and come back. They'd also need to prove they are a visitor on their first entry. If they are denied as a visitor it could cancel their visa. – BritishSam Jun 13 '18 at 10:05
  • @DumbCoder because they cant use the visa before it starts, check this thread out from someone who's done it before expatforum.com/expats/britain-expat-forum-expats-living-uk/… – BritishSam Jun 13 '18 at 10:30
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    @BritishSam You probably need to read carefully what I wrote. I asked him(her) to enter once with their Ancestry visa. – DumbCoder Jun 13 '18 at 15:39
  • @DumbCoder fair enough, that would be ideal, depends if they've already paid a lot for the flight and whether they can change it easily – BritishSam Jun 14 '18 at 12:46
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If you're eligible for a tourist visa, yes. However, you'll want to be very clear and upfront, especially if your ancestral visa is in your passport, as attempting to enter earlier than the date specified may cause your visa to be cancelled.

I'd recommend having your channel-hopping tickets printed out, evidence of accommodation and make it very clear that you will definitely be leaving before your ancestral visa is due to start, and returning then.

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