What is the purpose of your visit...???

The reason I was given was simply that the supervisor who didn't even speak to me didn't believe I wasn't here to get married and settle without the proper Visa.  Even though the Immigration Officer who did conduct the interviews with myself and Phil did believe we were doing everything right.  She was pretty much close to tears herself when she had to tell me that our entry was denied and we had 7 days to leave the country...

did you lie to them or say that you were here to "visit a friend", or what was the reason that you got flagged?

I told them the truth.

It's like Celtic said - they have absolutely no obligation to let you in if you haven't got some sort of prior Entry Clearance.  So it really just comes down to who's having a good day and who isn't.

Of course, even once we had visas in hand the Immigration Officer disappeared with them for about 10 minutes when we got to the desk at Heathrow...

The only advice I'd give you is to try, if possible, to get a visa even though it isn't required.  In hindsight, I would have done things VERY differently than I did regarding my trip (hell, regarding much more than my trip  :-/ )  I wish you luck, but a last piece of advice...don't try going through Cardiff!  Seems they get a lot less foreigners going through there so they really sink it to the ones that do go through there.

Do NOT say you're visiting your boyfriend.  The first time I came to the UK by myself, I had the worst immigration officer ever and she just terrified me.  I got so nervous that I eventually admitted that yes, I was entering the UK to visit my boyfriend.  She apparently made some sort of mark in my passport which came back to haunt me nearly 4 years later when we were applying for my spousal visa.  Take everyone's advice--be as vague (but honest) as possible.

peedal... i am so sorry that u had to deal with that crap.

the fact is, i guess, that you don't really know what's going to happen.  hopefully, everything goes smoothly, but occasionally it goes pear-shaped.

the best advice i can give is not to worry, and be prepared.  its best to hope for the best, and not stress yourselves all out with worry.

Based on my experience from entering the UK twice without a visa before actually entering on the 3rd time with a fiancee visa, my advice is this:

have your boyfriend/girlfriend write a letter of support stating that they wish to use their regular income (state income yearly) to support you during your stay in the UK and that you will be living rent free in their home. Have them wite in that it is their best knowledge that you are entering the UK as a visitor and that you do not intend to take up work or residence in the UK, but are returning home on (date here - presnt your return ticket). Have them sign it and send it to you.

This shows that someone is going to take responsibility for you while youre in the UK. Also show your own money and credit cards along with a return ticket.

DONT say youre visiting a boyfriend or girlfriend. Its not their business and they dont need to know. a boyfriend or girlfriend is a FRIEND, period. If they ask how you know this friend say "through family ties" or "school friend" etc (particularly if you met online and this is your first meeting). Its simple and straightforward.

Although saying youre visiting a significant other or that you met them online shouldnt raise red flags the social stigmas attached to those statements are still potentially harmful to your trip. Being vague and honest is the best policy.

This was my tactic twice for the UK and it worked fine. I *was* stopped at immigration both times for 5 -10 minutes but considering I was 19 at the time and traveling alone with no prior stamps in my passport but one to paris Im sure I raised red flags. Just present them with the info, be clear and straightforward and they wont be able to find anything not to let you in.

Sarah

Hi Sarah

I agree it is a good idea to get your BF/GF to provide a letter of that nature but if you are not upfront about them being your BF/GF what happens if you want to apply for a finace/marriage visa later on? You run the risk of them checking your records and seeing you said something different about the relationship in the past. If it worked for you then I'm glad but I don't think fudging the truth shoud be advocated.

BTW I don't think there is that much stigma attached to meeting someone over the internet any more (unless one of you is 55 and the other 12 or you met on a mail order bride site). The British Consulate in LA certainly didn't raise any eyebrows about it when Stu applied for his fiance visa.

That's just my opinion

Cheers
Liz

Hi Everyone~

I'm back from Scotland now, and made it through Immigration just fine.  When I went through the Immigration people, I was only asked if I was visiting family or friends and how long I was staying.  Then I was asked where I was going after the three weeks of my visit ended.  That was it.  Then my b/f's dad surprised us with a week long trip to Spain as a Christmas present, and I was terrified about leaving the country and coming back in.  Well, the second time through immigration I got the same questions, but when I said I was visiting friends, he said "where you visiting 'friends' in October, March, and July as well?"  And I said no, that I was visiting my boyfriend and family.  I told him that my b/f was right there if he needed to talk to him at all.  He just chuckled, stamped my passport, and told me to enjoy my trip.

Sooooo....I think if you're just honest, it all goes better.  Neither time was hard nor was I scrutinized.  Lying about visiting my boyfriend the second time through could have caused me problems, as the immigration officers aren't stupid and realize that that frequent of visits aren't just to "friends."  So, thanks for all your advice and good luck to any of you who are going through immigration officers any time soon.

BritWife, Personally, I dont honestly think that saying you are visting family or friends will damage your attemps at getting a visa later on. They cant actually proove that you were/werent visting friends/family at the time. Every bf/gf starts out as a friend, dont they? I agree its good to be honest and upfront but spilling one's life-story isnt necessary either Immigration or not, some things are private.

I met my husband online as well and I didnt have any trouble with the counsulate in LA when I went for my fiancee visa. All I ment was that people in such relationships who are rather young with little to no previous travel abroad, such was my case, should beware and take extra precautions so that their trip isnt cut short at the gates.


Krissybelle, glad you had a good time and no hassles at immigration

Hi Krissybelle, that's great, glad you had a good immigration officer experience and a good trip!

Marsbar - point taken, I just meant people should be careful what they say. Also care should be taken with postings on this subject because you don't know who may be reading it

I had the same experience a few weeks ago.  I answered that I was "visiting friends" and the official asked "a BOYfriend??" and literally raised his eyebrow, like a villian in a James Bond movie.  I resisted the urge to say "well no, we're just friends...but friends with Benefits, you understand. *WINK*"

I suppose you could always get technical, ask them to define "boyfriend".

Just a reminder as some people seem a bit confused. A CUSTOMS officer has no say whatsoever in who is or isn't allowed into the country. It is an IMMIGRATION officer who does that. If you don't get past the IO you don't even get to see the CO!

Ok....I just got back from a 10 day visit to Scotland and I kind of got a bit of a rundown from the customs people when they went through the usual procedure.  I got questioned longer than usual, was forced to show them return tickets, and she wrote something down (not sure what) before stamping my passport.  Have I been "red-flagged" now???  I want to go back again this summer for 5-6 weeks, but am afraid I might be given a hard time when I try to enter again.  Do you think I should be worried about this?  I haven't stayed over the legal amount of time, have always answered their questions honestly, and will return home at the end of the visit.  I understand their concerns over people sneaking into the country, but I won't be doing that at all.  We will be applying for visas for me to move there next February (yippie), so this summer will be purely for a visit.  Maybe I'm just neurotic, but I get really worked up about the idea of possibly being sent back home because they *think* I might be doing something wrong.... :-/

While your intentions are completely honorable, they don't know that  :-/  I'm not sure what they may've written down, but chances are it isn't something that will automatically stop you from re-entering the country later this year.  They may question you further, though.  If you're particularly worried about it, then purchase tickets for a certain show you want to see.  Have an itenerary of places you plan to sightsee.  Bring bank statements and a letter from a boss or a lease from an apartment.  Prove to them anyway you can that you will be returning when you say you are.  I went over 3 times in the course of 12 months.  They weren't thrilled with it, and I did get questioned the 3rd time quite a bit, but eventually was let through.

Is it just me or do you FEEL guilty even when you're absolutely not when walking up to the immigration officer?  I always feel like the dog who's crapped in the corner and dreading their master's return home.  

I need to walk up there with a bit more confidence.

I have been visiting every 4 to 6 months for sometimes up to a month over the past 3 years.  Looking at the Immigration stamps, I could appear to be ducking out for a weekend and coming back in for a new 6 months stamp.

A few things that may have keep me from being questioned: