How long can one "holiday" in UK with no visa?

[Deidre]

Hi again,
How long can one (from SA) visit/holiday in the UK without any visa?
Another one-step-forward-two-steps-back situation, with my daughter's ancestral visa; so we are looking at plan Q! While we are waiting for the verdict for her appeal, we thought she could just holiday with us for a while...
Regards,
D

[Joytjie]

Hi Deirdre,

sorry to hear that you are having hassles with your daughters ancestral.

Why dont you post what you've given them and we can maybe see if there's something definitely missing?

As for tourist visas- the longest you can come would be 3 months without one. It was previously 6 months. However, in the light of a visa being refused she could be seen as a flight risk and therefore be refused at the point of entry.

When do you hear back about the ancestral?

Cheers,

Joytjie

[Deidre]

Hi Joytjie,
The letter we received on handing in all the documents at the embassy, said if they refuse the visa, we will hear as soon as possible. If, however they clear it locally it still has to be sent to the UK for a final appeal. And that it often takes several months for the appeal to be heard...
I think we have given everything we need, but in her letter of appeal my daughter did mention that she wishes to study after her 'gap year' (although in the interim she wants to work to pay her way and we provided them with four letters from agencies...).
We were planning to leave on the 16th January, but now am not sure what to do, especially if you say they refuse her entry even on holiday with a visa appeal pending...
Hhhm, all this uncertainty, and her in the middle of writing matric exams; but hey! she passed her driver's test today, so that's one less thing to worry about!
Have a fantastic day!