Immigration via Ireland

Hiya,

Can I ask if anyone has come to the UK via Dublin? If so, did you need to check with the Irish government or was it just classed as a stopover, did you have any problems?


My idea is that I meet my intended out there, have a couple of days in Ireland and then fly back to Newcastle using Ryan air or Jet2 which works out considerably cheaper and I get a little vacation into the bargain.  I am currently looking at costs for flights and I have found that if you fly to Dublin it is almost £500 cheaper that direct to the UK!

Many thanks,
Laura

You'll fly into Dublin and go through their immigration, they will stamp your US passport most likely with the time you have stated you are spending there and no more, they may note that you are headed to the UK on the passport as well. Dublin immigration is becoming a lot tighter than what it has been. When you leave Dublin you will be processed on arrival as normal entering the UK, as if you'd come straight through - they will check your passport.

That's great, I was half expecting all of the immigration process twice, but I can live with that.  I'd much rather spend the extra £500 on a 3 day vacation that on a direct flight to the UK!

If you can't find immigration officials at any point it is a good idea to look for them, just in case you even need to prove the date you re-entered the UK.


Vicky

Fab, thanks!   

If you can't find immigration officials at any point it is a good idea to look for them, just in case you even need to prove the date you re-entered the UK.

And especially if your fiance is coming in with Entry Clearence, you may need to flag down an Immigration Official at Heathrow.  The Irish now usually checked my passport going the other direction, but coming back at Heathrow, I swear it was difficult to find anybody.  There is a HM Customs desk on the way out, I would stop there and ask.

We aren't planning on coming in via Heathrow, the idea was to fly from Dublin direct to Newcastle.  Do I need to go via a larger airport?

No, just look for the immigration guys at Newcastle airport.  They will be there somewhere.


Victoria

No, just look for the immigration guys at Newcastle airport.  They will be there somewhere.

Yeah, you might interrupt their lunch or something.  You are going to have to seek them out is I guess what we are saying.  You might get a few strange looks!  "Hi! Please stamp my passport."  I know friends who have travelled around the EU and have had to flag down immigration agents so they could collect the passport stamps!