Traveling to UK on Irish Visa

Did you actually need a visa to enter Ireland or are you really referring to being given leave to enter? If so what is your nationality?

We flew from Dublin to Liverpool and weren't sent through immigration to get a UK visa like we had hoped.

That is (probably) the root of your problem as there is none, for most people, as you had been advised by Irish Immigration.. On your present plans you will overstay your leave to enter.

This forum isn't going to give you authoritative information, as well-intentioned and experienced as some of those posting may be. You really need to contact the U.S. Embassy. Note there is a U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, but "American Citizens needing Visa information should contact the American Embassy situated in London. The U.S Consulate situated in Edinburgh does not handle or process immigrant or non-immigrant visas, telephone or e-mail inquires about visas, green cards, or work permits." https://www.scotland.com/travel/foreign-embassies/u-s-consulate-general/

The difference between an embassy and a consulate is further explained here.
https://www.thoughtco.com/embassy-and-consulate-overview-1435412

you wouldn't go to the US Embassy for an Irish or UK visa, you need to contact THEIR gov'ts, but we don't have enough info from OP, we can only assume they're American.

Sorry. I should have mentioned that we are United States citizens.

--Geraldine

Based on my knowledge - not being a Border officer - I believe that what you were told is correct. If you want to fix it you need a trip from France or Belgium or Netherlands into England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

You can do a quick pop over through the Tunnel if you are in southern England before your leave to remain expires or an Easyjet or -yuk- RyanAir from Scotland. Very cheap, very fast. Scenic if you make lemonade.

The differences between Irish and British length of visit have been discussed quite frequently here on the Forums. Sorry you missed it.

If you want to wade through the official guidance it's here

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-travel-area-guidance/common-travel-area-guidance

Essentially you have a choice - leave the UK and re-enter to get your official 6 months leave to remain. Or take the risk and let us know how you get on. At the very least, you'll encounter problems if you ever return to the UK.

The CTA catches many people out, who need to enter the UK directly either to activate a work or study visa, or to take advantage of the generosity of a six-month visitor stay (when will the USA reciprocate this …). Unfortunately not entering the UK directly means having to exit and re-enter.

If you enter the CTA via the UK you can spend a period of six months in the UK or Crown dependencies and include a three month period in the Republic of Ireland during that time.

If you are in the UK and decide your best option is to leave from the UK to the Mainland, then back again at some soon time frame, I would write yourself some notes (Entered Ireland this date, Flew to UK this date, Left UK this date) and any other information. Only because UK immigration upon return is likely to ask questions, especially when they see a recent exit stamp and no entry.

While uncommon, the entry of 6 months is up to the immigration officer and could be denied or limited. Best to have your ducks in a row and answer confidently.

I suppose another option might be, if you will be in London, to go to the Home Office, Immigration and Visa Office, they might be able to help, but that might be as difficult as just exiting and returning.

There are no exit stamps from the UK.

Kind of a hard to believe paradox, but it's spelled out on page 21.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831682/common-travel-area-v5.0ext.pdf

Thank you everyone for your replies and suggestions. It is just crazy that if we flew into the UK we would have received a 6 month visa stamp, but because we flew into Ireland we only get a 3 month visa stamp. Oh well...lesson learned, and hopefully others learned this lesson as well since I posted it.

We have decided to take a train through the Chunnel from London to Brussels. We have already visited Brussels in the past, so we will spend 2 days drinking Belgium beer and then returning to London with a newly stamped passport.

--Geraldine K.

The Channel Tunnel is how you will hear it discussed on this side of the Atlantic.

Be very sure that you are St Pancras International well ahead of departure time. You need to be checked in a minimum of half an hour before departure because - well mostly because they won't let you on the train if you aren't - because you have a security check then UK Border Control then French Border Control and then make your way to the waiting room (wifi, food and drink available as well as both UK and French electric plugs) before you are called to go up the escalators to the train.

Lots of food and drink available in all sorts of places at St Pancras. Just don't try to take a coffee through the security line - voice of experience here.

Same at Brussels for the return. Same security, same Border Controls - Belgian first then British, same large choice of food - well less than St Pancras but still you won't starve.

Get your Eurostar tickets as soon as you can be sure of your dates - they only get more expensive the closer to travel you let it go.

Nigel...thanks for the information. I purchased 2 round-trip tickets from London to Belgium in November for £136. I didn't think that was too bad.

decent prices - well done.

When I said check in a minimum of 30 minutes, I didn't make clear what I meant was checked in with tickets scanned and past the ticket gate. I should have made clear that standing in the queue to check in doesn't count. I always now advise getting there an hour before departure. Sometimes, maybe in November, you may luck out with less, but if Brexit somehow happens between now and then you will be very glad to be there early, I expect. Nobody knows.