What NOT to say at UK immigration....

So,  2 weeks ago, I went to the UK to visit Mr Snupy for 11 days. The plans are to apply for a Fiance Visa at the Chicago Consulate in August and move in September. I wasn't really worried about getting through immigration because I figured, worse case scenario, I would tell them about our plans in August and that this was just a visit to meet the family(which it was). Being well-informed about the legal and proper way to immigrate to the UK would surely  not only impress them, but convince them to let me in as well, right?? 


After a red-eye flight with no sleep and going to the wrong terminal at Heathrow for my connecting flight to Manchester and having to take the shuttle back to the original terminal, going through security twice, and arriving at immigration 10 minutes before boarding, I was quite flustered. When asked who lived at the address I provided on my immigartion form, I replied:

"My fiance, but don't worry-I am not going to try and stay here or anything. I will be applying for a Fiance Visa in August. I know you guys worry about that when you hear "boyfriend" or 'fiance'"

 (Yes ,I did realize immediately that that was about the dumbest thing I could've said, but I don't lie well, so I wanted to be truthful, and the blithering just came out!! I think I thought I was being funny-BAD idea!!)


To which the immigration man said, rather sarcastically, "No, I wouldn't  make any presumptions like that" or something similar. Then began the grilling, which I thought I would share in case anyone finds themselves in a similar situation.(I personally think the guy was gonna hassle me no matter what I had said, whether it was "staying with friends" or whatever)


"What will you be doing while you're here?"
"How long will you be staying?"
"How did you meet?"
"You were here December 2003. When did you return to the US from that trip?"
"What do you do for work?"
"When are you expected back at work?"
"I need to see a return ticket"
"Tell me about this 'Fiance visa'"
( I tell him everything I know about Fiance Visas)
"So, he will be applying in Chicago in person with you?"
"What does he do for a living?"(he has his own business)
"What is the name of the business?"

When I had answered everything to his satisfaction, he mumbled something and stamped my passport.




So, just a bit of advice-try to keep your cool, no matter what, but if you don't, Be prepared!

Awww, snupy.  Couldn't you fly BMI straight into Manchester from Chicago & skip the London hassle?  I have generally found the Manchester immigration folks friendly on the whole.  Also, just friendly advice for whatever it's worth, I always just answered their questions as briefly & simply as possible.  I think the very first time I visited was the most I was grilled -- it was a lady that time & so I kidded around with my b/f (now husband) that she prolly was just jealous that I was over here 'taking away from her pool of eligible English men'.

Actually, the stupidest thing you can say to the IO is "i met him over the internet". I did that and was almost sent home again.
Now I know better...
Dumkof!

This got me thinking back to my immigration experience into the UK in '96.  I didn't remember any of these questions and then remembered it was because my entry for the first time was on The QE2.  We were married in Chicago and then ten days later flew to NY and hopped on the boat, which was our honeymoon.

The IO came onto the ship and checked everybody on-board prior to disembarking and we were asked nothing; he just looked at our paperwork and said "Congratulations, welcome to the UK." and stamped my passport.

I've come over twice by ship.  I think the IO said no more than "There you go" each time my passport was stamped.  The IO even stamped passports for husbands and wives who weren't in the line!  If I could afford it, sailing would be my preferred way to travel.

The question periods at Heathrow are getting longer each time.  I have traveled to the UK 12 times since summer 2001.  I always take the overnight from Boston, and I'm not a great flyer, so I arrive exhausted and confused.  In other words, too stupid to lie.   My last entry went like this:

Are you here for business or pleasure?
What family do you have here?
Where will you be staying?
   In The Borders area.
Where will you be staying?
   With my sister and brother-in-law in Jedburgh and my nephew and his family in Branxton.
Where is Branxton?
What will you be doing here?
   Babysitting for my niece and nephew. (Long explanation of their schedules and why I'm needed.)
Are you paid for babysitting.
   No!
What kind of work do you do?
   (Long discussion about being retired so young and how I can afford to travel so much.)
When are you going home?
May I see your return ticket?
   I don't have one yet.
Why not?
   Well, I came over by ship...(Very long explanation of the cost of a one way ticket, future plans, and having to change my address to the UK to buy a ticket on my credit card in the UK to go home.)

Twenty minutes later, he let me in.  But he did say that the more stamps in your passport, the more questions you would be asked.  I'm going to try the Newark to Edinburgh flight to see if I still get grilled.

My SIL and BIL came on the Newark to Edinburgh flight and were asked the purpose of their visit.  Then they just wished them a happy holiday.  They did, however, have brand new passports, return tickets, and my sister was wearing a tshirt with pictures of her kids (who stayed home w/my mom and dad).  So it was pretty obvious they were going back.  Although you'd think they were moving for all the presents they brought for DD! 

Well I do love it now...when they see, ok, American passport -- I usually hand it open to the Residence Permit.

Brief exchange about being married to an Englishman.

Stamp - big smile - 'Welcome Home!'

I hated going thru immigration - it was my first time and I was in manchester.. but its not as bad as yours was snupy but i think thats because i didnt tell them he was my boyfriend.. now the next time i go i will because i dont want to LIE lol but i figured since we were meeting for the first time that it was just easier to say "friends"... i cant wait to go back in august, even going thru UK immigration wont be as bad as not going back totally!!! lol

Snupy, I've gotten the same type of questions that you have, and that was in Manchester Airport, so I don't think it has to do with which airport.

The immigration officers are just doing their job. I think if you answer questions honestly, and you are doing everything by the book,  you shouldn't  have problems.

Yup I got the same thing at Manchester too. The first time really no trouble-- but the second trip over the questions were much more in depth. Really questioned my work and why I had time off--- when I explained I worked at a school and it was Easter Holiday all was well. I think the key especially when staying with a male friend on a visit is to have clear reason that you will be returning home ie work, family obligations.

Helena

Actually, the stupidest thing you can say to the IO is "i met him over the internet". I did that and was almost sent home again.
Now I know better...
Dumkof!

I told them we met on vacation. I didn't know how they would react.... But doesn't matter. I have my visa. I told them how we really met-on the internets, and they didn't bat an eye.

I was a little ticked off at the last immigration officer that I went through...  I think it was in Dec (first visit back to the States after marriage & then coming back into the UK)...  The questioning bit was alright but then he put the big black immigration stamp right ON the seal of my Residence Permit -- despoiling my beautiful & colorful new Residence Permit of which I was so proud.  Bugger.  Of course, I grumbled to myself in silence & just went on through.