Hi Avril!

I'm sorry 2 hear about your sitiuation, I know this feeling.
Unfortuanately I dont really have any advice 4u but as far as I know South African citizens can only obtain a 'working holiday visa' once and the only way you would be able to go back to the UK as a visitor or tourist.

Also, I don't think that it is possible to extend your visa. You can go to the UK as a visitor for less than six months without a visa BUT you will not be able to work legally and you will have to prove that you can support yourself for the duration of your stay.

But, if you were married to your boyfriend you could go to SA and apply for an 'EEA Family Permit'. I f granted, you can go back to Scotland and you will be able to live and work there legally.

Please remember that I'm speaking under correction and you should try to consult with a solicitor about your options.

Hope this helps

 

Hi again Avril!

I read your post and I was trying to think of some sollution but I can't help you anymore because I told you everything I know. The only thing left to do is to seek some legal advice either from a solicitor or from the Home Office in the UK.

As I said, marriage might be the only way out but be aware, make sure that you get ALL the info you need before you decide to do something. Even getting married is not as black and white as it may seem. There is a lot of beaurocracy and red tape when it comes to immigration affairs.

Try this website: www.breytenbachs.com.

Send them an email first but direct your questions in such a way that they have to answer you and not tell you to go to another website (they like to do things like that).

If you can't get enough info like this you can try phoning them but they will probably try to get you to go for a consultation, then you might have to pay for advice.

Anyway, that's all I can do, really. Hope you find a good way out of this mess!

Good Luck!

 

Hi Avril

There's quite a bit of info on my Work Permit UK page with links more info & a specialist Visa company

Hope this helps

Regards

Pete
Moving Overseas Guide