Warning stamp in my passport

Greetings everyone. I'll be as brief as possible.

My boyfriend is English, I'm American. We've only been together for a year, and I spent the better part of 2004 in the UK with him. I had resigned from my job at the end of 2003 (before I met him) with enough money to support myself for quite a while. I came home for Thanksgiving, and when I returned to the UK I was asked many questions about access to finances, and my relationship. At the end of the questioning, the immigration officer issued me a warning stamp in my passport above the regular entry clearance, and told me that I am now 'in the system' (whatever that means). I looked into applying for a visa, and sent an email to the consulate explaining my circumstances. I was told that I don't need a visa and that generally no entry would be denied to someone who is just visiting.

My concern is that I am on a flight back to the UK on the 26th for what amounts to my last trip there for a while as I'm starting a new job after I come back. I am worried about what this 'in the system' business is all about. I came home to the US again for Christmas, and have been here over a month hoping that it's enough time to drop the red flag I seem to have been saddled with.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance for your help.

You overstayed your visitor's visa for 2004 (longer than 6 months) and you were lucky to be readmitted again this time. 

If you have proof of return (a return ticket and evidence of a job back home), you might not have any trouble.  It doesn't matter how long you stayed in the US because you are only allowed 6 months entry every 12 months and if I read what you wrote correctly, you already overstayed 6 months. 

When in doubt, get a visitor's visa from the Consulate.  Your situation will raise suspicion because you've already been warned about overstaying.

Hi Cyclenaut, are you able to scan the warning stamp and post a copy on here? That will make it easier for someone to help you.  The "in the system" business probably means that there's a note in the computer system that will come up next time you go through UK Immigration. This will alert the Immigration Officer to check carefully your intentions so be prepared to show evidence of funds to support yourself, an outward ticket and proof you have something to go back to in the USA (ie a job).

The officer who stamped my passport told me that the stamp didn't mean that I couldn't come back, just that I should expect a similar line of questioning when I do.

I don't have access to a scanner, but the stamp is rectangular, at the top is handwritten "EWE 79 859", below which is stamped 'Leave to enter for/until". Below that is handwritten "Six Months", and below that is stamped "No work or access to public funds".

What I don't understand is the EWE thing.

Oh, and I'm flying to the UK this time en route to Norway. Then I'm supposed to come back into the UK after Norway and go to Spain before once again going into the UK for my flight home. There will be a couple of days between each trip to the continent.

I'd gladly get a visitor visa, but when I asked about this in my email to the consulate they said it wasn't necessary. Against my better judgement I listened to them. I doubt I'll be able to get one between now and my flight, and what sort of paperwork would I need anyway?

I don't know what that means either but hopefully Garry, our resident expert, will see your post, he may know what it means.  If they said you don't need to apply for a visa I wouldn't worry too much, as I said they are likely to question your fairly rigorously so just be prepared for that and have the evidence to show you're not planning to stay in the UK long term.  You now have a job back in the US so make sure you bring evdence of that with you (eg a letter from your employer, stating your start date) plus evidence of where you live in the US - if you have your own place bring your rental agreement or copy of mortgage papers or whatever you have.

I had one of those stamps (and so did Vilas, I think -- check her last posts and I'm sure you'll see a pic she scanned of her stamps...and a blurry one of mine!).  I didn't have any trouble getting back into the UK with the warning stamp, but I never overstayed my visas and I was a teacher, so I had very specific times during which I could travel, which made the IOs feel better about letting me in, I think.

The warning stamp did come back into play when I applied for my spousal visa nearly two years later.  I'd forgotten about it and had to muster up an explanation on the spot!

Image removed

Does it look anything like this?

As an aside, let me just add that I am green with envy at all of you who live in the UK! I don't think I've ever felt more at home in a place before. At some point, I'll apply for residency, but I'll be satsfied to get back in for one last time beforehand.

I had that stamp too!  I didn't want to risk it (I'm a wuss!) It happened in Nov 2003, I was so scared! So we got married (We were getting married in May anyway, got married a year ago 23 January)  I left for three months and got my spouse visa while I was home.

I think Britwife is right though, as long as you have a return ticket and proof of a job in the US you will be fine!  

I think it's just the agents number at the top of the stamp btw.  Wow Lola, you only got two months!

That is exactly the one, Lola. Just with a different alphanumeric sequence at the top (which for all I know means "I have a pet cat").

That is exactly the one, Lola. Just with a different alphanumeric sequence at the top (which for all I know means "I have a pet cat").

It's the number from the bottom of the white landing card you filled out on the plane and gave to the man at the control station.   It does not contain a code about you personally, but rather where you landed and your carrier.  It keys in to the computer system they use for immigration control.

The rest, about 'no work' and what-not is self-explanatory.  It all goes to establish that you are aware of immigration controls and are possibly trying to evade them.

If they did not handwrite write something like 'code 3' (or whatever) at the bottom of the stamp, then there's no prejudice. 

But from what you have written, it all sounds pretty much in order.  If you feel worried about entering the next time, you can always go to the consulate in the US and get an MEC, but they will ask a lot of questions and need to see your financial information. 

Oh.  And the 6 months spent leave thing is a constructive rule, not a legal limitation.  Somehow this got vectored on the Internet as a legal thing, and now people just believe it to be true.  Hope that helps!

 Wow Lola, you only got two months!

That's Vilas' stamp.  Mine was so blurry that it's pointless to post it!  I had six months.   

Ok I think I'm a little less stressed about it now. Thanks for all of the info so far!

did my question to garry not get posted or was it deleted? Im certain I asked.

I didn't see any previous post from you on this thread Marsbar.