Visiting the UK after having a visa denied

Hello! Around two and a half years ago, my second UK visa was denied - they said we didn't have enough money, even though we did.  It sucked. However, I received a job offer in Asia around that time, so I just left the UK as the government requested and took up my new job. That position has now finished and I'm currently visiting family in the USA while my husband is working in London.

In the next few months, we are planning on relocating to a country in continental Europe. However, it would be great if I could visit him in the UK for a few weeks and then move from there.

Will they let me in? Basically, they kicked me out before and now I have an English spouse, but no visa. I think technically, I am allowed to enter as a tourist, but I'm afraid they'll just turn me away at the airport, even though I have zero intention of staying beyond what I am legally granted. Is there anything I can do? Would applying for a tourist visa help? What are the odds of them giving me trouble? Any advice is much appreciated! Thank you!

Applying for a tourist visa before you travel will ensure you are allowed in, without worrying the whole flight.

If you decide not to, just be sure to have:
return flight confirmation
letter from your employer confirming the date you are required back at work
evidence of a home you are maintaining while visiting the uk (mortgage statement or rental agreement)
evidence of plenty of funds to fund your trip

As it's been a few years, I suspect you wont' have *too* much trouble, though you may have a bit of a delay while they look into things.

Thank you! Maybe I should apply for the visa - I don't have a job or lease on a place right now, as I am just staying with family in the US while visiting a sick parent, and I don't really have proof of being grounded here, as it were, since I am between proper homes.

Do I just contact the nearest UK consulate and ask them about applying for the visa?

Thank you! Maybe I should apply for the visa - I don't have a job or lease on a place right now, as I am just staying with family in the US while visiting a sick parent, and I don't really have proof of being grounded here, as it were, since I am between proper homes.

Do I just contact the nearest UK consulate and ask them about applying for the visa?

No, you apply online.  https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/apply

I'm not sure how successful your application will be if you are unable to show strong ties the USA though.  Do you have firm plans in writing for your future move?  Letter from future employer, contract, etc?

Hello, so sorry for the late reply!

I don't have firm plans for the future move - we are planning to move to another EU country while we still can, so we actually don't need too much to do that, as bringing a foreign spouse to another EU nation isn't too complex and you basically show up and register, so we don't have a ton of proof, so to speak, because we don't really need much. We're just having a lawyer sort out some documents, but we won't be doing it for a little bit yet.

For the tourist visa, I can at least show them a rental contract for my room and proof of funds to support myself with while in the UK and a round trip ticket, of course. It's frustrating, because I would never sneak in and stay illegally in a million years, all I want to do is visit my husband. Some people have even suggested flying into another part of the UK, because the immigration people often aren't as strict outside of London. Any thoughts?

Some people have even suggested flying into another part of the UK, because the immigration people often aren't as strict outside of London. Any thoughts?

This is just hearsay and wishful thinking, I'm afraid.

You can be grilled just as intensely at Edinburgh airport or at Paris Gare du Nord as you would be at Heathrow, or even London City for that matter. A good friend of mine almost got sent packing from the latter when he wasn't duly prepared.

I'd prepare for one as I'd prepare for all, tbh.

Applying for a tourist visa before you travel will ensure you are allowed in, without worrying the whole flight.

If you decide not to, just be sure to have:
return flight confirmation
letter from your employer confirming the date you are required back at work
evidence of a home you are maintaining while visiting the uk (mortgage statement or rental agreement)
evidence of plenty of funds to fund your trip

As it's been a few years, I suspect you wont' have *too* much trouble, though you may have a bit of a delay while they look into things.

What about if you don't have a job or mortgage etc to return to? If our 2nd application is denied for some reason, I want to go over on a tourist visa to spend some time with my husband-probably the full 6 months. But I don't have a job here (only a full-time volunteer job) and I don't have a rental agreement or anything like that.  We have plenty of funds to support me and free living accommodation. Just wondering if they would possibly deny me entrance? I would apply for a tourist visa in advance, just to be safe!
Hopefully I get my shiny new visa in my passport soon, but just in case it's good to have an idea what my options are