US boyfriend visiting me in UK for 3 months. Any similar stories??

Hi there,

My partner is planning to visit me for 3 months from August this year. I previously visited him in the US for 10 weeks from Dec to Feb with no issues with border staff.

My partner is a US citizen and is 35. We have been together for a year and in that time he has visited here for 2 weeks and I have visited him twice in the US.

He is a property developer and woodworker so recently restored a house and sold it making 80k profit. This is his "job" but he will not have any finite proof he has to return to do it but his plan is to buy another property in November to start the process again. He also owns a house and will have mortgage statements he can show as well as bank statements showing the 80k. He has worked hard all year and has afforded himself this 3 month break to take advantage of the cooler weather here, have a rest, spend time with me and visit friends and family as well as doing as much sight seeing as possible.

I am freakimg myself out by reading horror stories constantly about people being turned away. Will they want definite proof of a job to go back to? Will the amount he has earned and a house in the US be enough? It will have been 5 months since I have seen him by the time he arrives so I can't bear the idea of him not getting in.

It is also worth mentioning that we are planning on getting married in the US later in the year and I will be applying for a spousal visa to bring him over. I
Could never imagine not doing things by the book and he has no intention of overstaying or working, indeed he has to go back to the US so we can get married there! The alternative would be me bringing him here on a fiancée visa which would also require him to be in the US to have biometrics done etc. Do you think it's worth mentioning that?

I am hoping he can just say he is here to visit his partner and friends, show his return ticket, explain he has a house and family in the Us and will be back to his restoration project in nov and all will be well but have images of him being detained and questioned.

Does anyone have any experience of a partner/fiancé visiting the UK for several months? Were there any issues? We have already decided he will be up front and state girlfriend rather than "friend " as so many suggest. We are after all fully committed and there is nothing wrong with having a partner in another country, I would never want to lie to gain entry though I'm sure it might be easier if he just said friends! If anyone could give me some advice or experience that would be much appreciated. Btw I am 31 and in full time employment here in the UK.

Many thanks

I don't have similar stories but since no one else has replied...

You are saying all the right things. It is very important that your boyfriend not lie, as once an immigration official thinks someone's misled them, that's a much worse position than just telling the truth in the first place. The more evidence (on paper) he brings with him of his ties to the U.S. and plans to return there, the better his chances. Obviously a return flight is a must. Having an itinerary should also help (that is, he can say where he plans to visit, what sights you are going to see, etc.)

It is also evident that you both understand the rules and plan to abide by them. This can help, as if an immigration official questions him about his plans (marriage, etc.) he can explain what you plan to do and that it is legal. In other words, you know the rules.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to say with 100% certainty that he will get the visa he wants on the day. But the more upfront he is and prepared to show evidence if required by the immigration officer, the better his chances.

Good luck.

Hi there.
Hope this puts your mind at rest but  my partner spent 19 years coming here every summer for 2 months.

Some years he was asked more questions at the immigration hall than the previous time and some years was asked nothing.

He always told the truth why he was here and that as a teacher he got 10 weeks off work.

I spent 19 years going to the USA. Again some times I got the third degree at imigration & sometimes just a friendly "welcome back"

I think, and if any one is an immigration officer and wants to correct me Im cool with that, once you build up a record of coming and then leaving when you say you will then you start to appear less suspicious.