one way ticket the first time

Good luck. My H and I have been in a LDR for almost 8 years now (I'm going over there to live on Friday!) It's definitely worth the wait, hope everything works out for you. 

I've never lied, I'm a terrible liar as well.  When they hear boyfriend they seem to get more intense with the questions.  I find they repeatedly ask the same question. "How long do plan to stay?  When do you plan to return to the US?  How many days will you be visiting?"  I think they switch it around to try to catch you.  I have no intention of settling in the UK without the proper visa and on my last trip I told her that.  She asked me if we were going to marry and I said no, not here.  Then she asked if we planned to marry, I think she was trying to catch me so I toldf her we plan to marry in the States in 2007 and I would be applying for the proper visa at that time in NYC.  She let me through and said enjoy your stay.    I think it all depends on the day and the officer.

Good Luck!

so here's what i'm thinking about....
buy a round trip ticket... and jsut telling customs i'm there to see somefriends.
which is true.
find a job... or at least one that might sponser me for a work visa...
then move there on that for however long time i'm alotted.

i'm movnig there for me... because i hate it here.
i'm terrified or terrorists and i have horrible night terrors because of it.
but he is my love, my inspiration and my bright light.
so its an added bonus.

does that sound good?

the trick with that plan is going to be finding an employer who will sponsor you on a work permit.  It's not easy (in a lot of cases it's almost impossible), unless you happen to be a qualified teacher or social worker (are you?) or are in another shortage occupation.  And keep in mind to be eligible for a work permit, you have to have a university degree or three years of degree level work experience.

Like Andrea said, in theory it sounds good. But work permits are difficult to come by if you don't have a skill that they are in desperate need of (and sometimes not even then). Are you a University student are a recent graduate? If so, you might want to think about doing BUNAC (www.bunac.org). That will allow you to work in the UK legally (not sure on the period of time?) It would be a start at least. Good luck.

Also keep in mind you're not supposed to be looking for work in the UK if you are here as a tourist, I believe. 

Modified:
Oh sorry, according to this you are allowed to do so?  Anyway the link is a good read!

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=21888.0

yeah, you can look for work as a visitor, you just can't actually be employed.  But even though it's legal, I certainly wouldn't mention it to the immigration officer when you enter

yeah, you can look for work as a visitor, you just can't actually be employed.  But even though it's legal, I certainly wouldn't mention it to the immigration officer when you enter

If you're trying to convince the io that you qualify for admittance as a visitor, mentioning that you're looking for work would be a HUGE red flag as it would indicate that your intent is actually to settle in the UK.

As someone who has actually been denied entry to the UK (despite having a return ticket and real intentions of returning to the States at the appointed time, only one month later), everything you're saying sounds like a huge red flag knowing what I know now.

First of all, I agree with everyone else, you absolutely have to have a return ticket. Beyond that, I really think you need to plan on going back to the States on your return flight until you have the proper visas (which I think you have to get while in the US.). . .And, even though you're technically allowed to be in the UK for six months as a visitor, I would set the return date sooner than six, because that in and of itself may be a red flag.

Secondly, I would not lie about who you are coming to visit because, if you are the least bit suspicious, they are going to ask you for information about these "friends." Like names, addresses, telephone numbers, physical descriptions, etc. And, if you aren't prepared to give it, you're going to find yourself in a world of trouble before you even know what hit you. (Speaking from experience here, so trust me.)

Third (and maybe most importantly,) crabbit.expat is right. Actually, I'll go even further and say that I would bet that mentioning that you're looking for work will almost definitely get you denied entry. So, I wouldn't mention it if you decide that's the direction you want to go. Technically you aren't directly telling a lie. Just withholding some information. 

And, finally, make sure your boyfriend is in the airport building to pick you up. Part of my customs debacle was that my now husband couldn't hear them paging him over the PA to answer their questions. By the time they found him, they had already made up their minds that they weren't letting me in anyway.

By the way, my husband is over on a work permit, and I have to chime in with everyone else and say that they are very difficult to come by unless you are in a very specialized profession. . . . Is there any way you could come over on a studen visa? Or, I think there's also a Working Holidaymaker visa for people under a certain age to come to the UK and work for like a year or something. That would at least get you over here.

Sorry I couldn't be more positive, but I would hate to see someone else go through the ordeal I went through.

Good luck! 

Or, I think there's also a Working Holidaymaker visa for people under a certain age to come to the UK and work for like a year or something. That would at least get you over here.

quick clarification- this only applies to citizens of the Commonwealth, and the US isn't a Commonwealth country.  So, not an option. However, if she's a recent grad or a student she can go over and work on BUNAC for six months...that's about the best you can do before you start getting into things like spouse visas and work permits.

Based on my experiences in the past, I definitely think it is best to tell the truth to the immigration officers. I've been to the UK several times to visit my fiance and have always told the truth. I have never tried to cheat the system, squeeze around rules, etc. and have always sounded confident in my story. I've never had any issues going through immigration. I've never been asked more than a couple of questions. However, the longest I've ever stayed is 10 days, with the exception of my study abroad there. Even when I entered the country has a student, I was not required to have a Visa (this was in 2003, so I'm not sure if the rules have changed) and I had no problems.

I agree with what everyone has said about having a return ticket, not letting on that you intend to settle, having bank statements, etc. I don't mean to imply AT ALL that it is easy to get through immigration. Different people have different experiences depending upon their situations. I just think that it is best to make the "better safe, than sorry" decision, even if that means you don't get to stay for as long as you want. From what I understand, if you do get detained and sent back to the US, this could hurt your chances for a spousal or fiance visa in the future. And remember, it will be worth it in the end! Best of luck to you!

Don't get a one way ticket your first time...DON'T ever get one if you only plan on visiting. They will hassle you to no end and maybe even send you home. When I was last there I forgot to print out my itinerary and the women told me that next time not to forget it because the next person I talk to might turn me away. Proof that you will be returning the the US is best. Have it just incase, don't offer it up. I had a letter from my work and a letter from my boyfriend mum stating that I'd be staying with them, they'd support me and be responsible for me and when I'd be returning. They never asked for them but it's always good to have them with you. Also, I wouldn't suggest lying...I thought about it when I was going last time and really it was just easier telling the truth. I was going to say "I'm on holiday to visit a friend"...yes in reality is true but if they find out you said that and really you are there to visit your boyfriend/fiance they will think you lied. If you lie and they interrogate you and find out that you were lying your integrity has gone out the window and they'll wonder why you lied. Just be nice, walk up with a smile, say hello, ask how they are, answer the questions honestly. Don't bring your diary or letters stating you want to move there and that you are going to look for work...it will only get you sent back home.

You should be fine. If you act suspicious they will wonder why...just be calm and cool. 

She questioned me for a good 15 mins..possibly even 20 I can't remember. It was a LONG time...I saw many people pass me up that were behind me in line. She made me take my money out so she could count it, looked at the receipt for the money exchange, asked me if my boyfriend was down waiting for me and if he had a cell, how long we'd been dating, how long i planned to stay...you think it she asked it.

Good luck

Obviously never been through this myself, but I really do agree with everything that Reeka, Jenn B and Brimarie have said...don't lie, even if it is just a small one.

And Andrea is right about the working holidaymaker visa.

Vicky

what if i dont have a bank account?

everyone i've talked to off the website... who's my age and has been to the uk told me that customs wasn't a problem at all.
they said i have nothing to worry about.

its making me really nervous reading everyone's statements.
so much that even if i told the truth i'd still probably sound like i'm lying.

i plan on buying a ten day round trip ticket.
i plan on bringing enough cash for those ten days.
i always over pack so i'm wondering if that will be a problem.
what i want to know is how they just expect people to have these letter and bank statements on hand just for visiting?

The roundtrip ticket should be fine. I doubt you'll be turned around were just trying to tell you not to lie and to just be prepared before you go. Don't be nervous it isn't really that bad!! You won't need the bank statements...I've never had them. Hell I had that letter from my job and my boyfriends mum and they never asked to see those. Just don't forget to print a copy of the itinerary off the net. You'll be fine!! Don't let us scare you...were just trying to help you out. I know when I was last going people were freaking me but really it isn't necessary.