money needed to clear immigration

My family and I will be coming over in a few months. I am a british citizen and my husband and children are US citizens. They are eligible for settlements visas, but we need to have an address and bank accounts in the UK to make application for those visas. We are therefore coming over on a visiting trip, but will not have return flights as we do not know when we will return or from which part of the UK. I will actually not need to return, but technically my husband and kids will need to be in the US to get the settlement visas. I am hoping that just my husband will return. Anyways, I have read a few horror stories about getting off the plane in London and going through immigration and then being sent back to the states. Can't imagine this happening with three small kids!!!!!!!!!!!!! How much money will I need to show immigration that we have for our trip to feel safe that they will let my husband and kids through. Hubby is a bit worried about this, as he has pointed out that they won't send me anywhere, but would and could send he and the girls packing.

I do think it's a bit risky for you to bring your entire family over for an unspecified period of time when they're all in need of visas.  Do you guys have significant savings and/or friends/family in the UK who could agree to "co-sponsor" your application (i.e., offer you a place to live or financial help should you need it)?  If not, it might be easier for you to come over ahead of your family to get a job, set up house, etc., and then start the visa application process.

Your children are UK citizens, too, you know.  And they won't need visas - just British passports, which I would suggest you get BEFORE you make this trip over.  Your husband will need a visa.  And I agree with Lola, making this trip with your entire family without him having a visa first could be risky.

I was able to get my citizenship because my mother was born in the UK. I was not born in the UK. Does this still mean that my children are automatically eligible for citizenship and or passports? My understanding was that they needed to reside in the UK for three years first.

Would the immigration ask questions if we purchased tickets with return flights and if you do have return flights, do they still ask you how much money you have for your vacation and what if you do not return on the date of your return trip? Any trouble to be gotten into there?

Would the immigration ask questions if we purchased tickets with return flights and if you do have return flights, do they still ask you how much money you have for your vacation and what if you do not return on the date of your return trip? Any trouble to be gotten into there?

You're going to be asked questions no matter what... but if you have tickets for a return a few weeks later then you're going to get a lot less question and they're not going to focus on how much money you have as much.

The first time I tried to come to England I was denied entry because I had return tickets for 5 1/2 months later and even though I had accommodations, they wanted me to prove I could support myself if those plans fell through. So, I needed enough money to pay for a hotel and food and whatever for 5 1/2 months. Obviously, I didn't have that kind of money. So, on my second attempt at coming in, I bought return tickets for only 2 weeks later. Once I was let in, I changed my flight to return later.

No, you won't get into trouble if you don't return on the date of your return tickets. You're allowed to change your mind about the length of your stay as long as you don't overstay, of course. I'm not recommending that you do this. But, if you do, be aware that some airlines will only let you push your reservations forward 30 days. If you want to stay a few months you may have to buy new tickets. Be sure to check with the airline. This happened to my husband when he came to the US with me.

Would the immigration ask questions if we purchased tickets with return flights and if you do have return flights, do they still ask you how much money you have for your vacation and what if you do not return on the date of your return trip? Any trouble to be gotten into there?

Coming over to visit my boyfriend (now husband) I was routinely asked how much money I had, how long I was staying, and whether or not I had a job that was expecting me back. I changed my tickets once and went back later than intended - but since I hadn't exceeded my allowed time as a visitor, it was never made an issue of. I agree with the others, though, do be careful.... Perhaps you could apply for a tourist visa for your family in advance....

Without the appropriate visas, the I.O's are concerned with "intent" as well as finances. As your husband will require a visa to stay here (even if your you and the kids do not), they will be interested to know what interim plans you have and if there is no return ticket, that suggests an intent to stay (even if it's not actually true).

Definitely buy the return tickets and then amend them if necessary, there is little point in flagging yourself up for attention at this stage of the game.

Good Luck!