Dear Sir,

My Mother has a multiple entry visit visa for 2 years. She has been in UK for 6 months now. I wish to keep her for more. I was told by a friend that if you go out to another European country for a few days and then you can return for another 6 months UK. Is it possible. ?

Sajan, Bournemouth

Dear Sajan,

As per the immigration rules you can only stay for a period of 6 months at a stretch in UK as a visitor and all the visits cannot be for a period of more than 9 months in UK in a year. So if your mother has a schengen visa and she wish to come back to UK for a period of less than 3 months normally she will be allowed to enter UK again as a visitor. She need to produce a return ticket to India within 3 months of her second arrival in UK. In multiple entry visit visas you are not allowed to stay for 12 months in a year in 2 stretches. If you stay for another 6 months on re entry then the immigration officer can cancel the visit visa at the port on your next arrival. So please make sure that your mother has a return ticket within 3 months of her second entry to UK.

Paul John