How many stamps on passport are too many?

Starting to get a little worried (or paranoid more like it) about the stamps I have on my passport. So far, I have one from Oct. 2003 (was there for 3 days), one from March( was there for 8 days ), and am going again in August of this month for 3 weeks. I'm wondering if I'm going to get hassled and interrogated about this being my third time being in the UK within a one year time frame. Should I say I'm visiting my boyfriend or should I say I just say I'm visiting a friend? August is an eternity away but I can't help panicking!!!!!!! grrrrrrr
Anyone had a hard time at immigration due to too many stamps?

There will be others who know better than I do,, but from what I think I understand,, so long as you don't spend more than 6 months there in a year's time, you are ok.  Wait for the experts tho

Yeah you might get harrassed, I have before, but it's no big deal.  Be honest and have your return ticket in hand.  Last time they were suspicious and asked to see my ticket.  I've got more stamps in my passport than you and they let me, so I'm sure you'll be fine.  Plus you're not staying very long, so that's good in the eyes of the immigration people.  I've heard both about what to say in regards to friends or boyfriends.  The last two times I said I was visiting my boyfriend and there for a holiday break from uni.  When I just said "friends" and they flipped through it they said "uh huh, what kind of friends are we visiting.  Were you visiting the same friends in October, March, August, and December???"  So, I've just started to admit the boyfriend thing.

I was worried about coming over again in the summer because I had visited so many times, but I guess I'm not coming over anymore, so that's one less thing to worry about.

Just relax, be honest, and look like you know what you're doing.  I know it's easier said than done.

I admitted I was going to see my boyfriend on my very first visit to the UK by myself.  (I had one other stamp from 3 years before--spent a month at Cambridge on an unconnected visit). 

As soon as I said "boyfriend", the immigration officer flipped out and wanted to know if we were engaged.  I told her we weren't (we were!).  She wanted to see everything--return ticket, itinerary, proof of employment back home, etc.  I was terrified and didn't know what to do.  I showed her everything I had and she did eventually let me through.

If you find yourself in the same situation, make sure you are over-prepared.  Have a letter from your employer stating when you are to return to work.  Show bank statements to prove that you're paying for yourself during the trip.  I've know people to bring copies of their lease/mortgage to prove they still have somewhere to live in the US!  :-) 

I  know it's a hassle, but I'd much rather be prepared with all of the extra documentation IF the "immigration interrogation" occurs...if it doesn't, well, you'll just have some extra papers to carry around during your visit.  ;-)

i got the head shake and 'huff' from the immigration guy this time.  i was prepared to tell him everything, and had to.  from the date of my engagement, wedding and that i know all the procedures and rules.  It was 5 min of chat but it was stressful!!!! 

Really, it's ok.  I've got 7 from the past 1.5 years and an additional 2 from when i visited before (these are all heathrow...there are others as well).

Just be sure you have your return ticket and all......be honest.  It's worked for me, i don't let them scare me (i'm always overly freindly and honest) and i've had no problems.  Even DF has become pals with one of the boston immigration people as he's here so much.   

I got hassled big time, this past visit.  I haven't once admitted to visiting a boyfriend, as I heard that raises red flags. So far, I've gotten away with best friend....Although not a best friend, I luckily have a girlfriend that lives in London and I know her address, so it worked for me.
I am quite nervous coming to visit, but my boyfriend comes over here a lot more, and so far neither of us have been turned away. Although, the woman this time asked me how long I stayed the last visit, and wanted to know when I was leaving this time... :-\

This is an old thread but I have the same question about US immigration.  This is DF's situation:

was on US Student visa August 2004 - May 2005
came to visit US from Sept 6-23 2005 (2.5 weeks)

he's coming again to US from Nov 17 - 26th (9 days)

Do you think he'll have a problem?  I know that a visitor cannot be in the US for more than 6 months out of the year, Do you think his student visa counts for that time?  I'm nervous about him coming but it should be that last time till 10 months from now when we're getting married.  Also if he gets detained will they (US immigration) let him call me or see me?  VERY NERVOUS!  Has anyone had experience with this? 

not sure luxie... but perhaps length of stay rule is different for the different entrance visas? i.e., before he was on a student visa whereas now he will be on a vistor's visa or wait... do fiances have to have visas to visit the US too? I dunno, sorry  I'd guess as long as he is in on the right visa and doesn't overstay he should be fine.

I would think they woudln't count the time on the student visa toward it.  He should be fine under visa waiver.

I got the 30 questions last time I went in October.  I have two stamps pretty close to each other in date.  I told them I was visiting my fiance.  Don't do that!!!  They write down names, dates and everything.  They tell you that you need a visa to marry in the UK etc.  The number of stamps don't really matter as long as you aren't there for longer than the six months allowed in each visit.  They just want to know what you are doing there so many times.  I would say best friend or something like that to save you time.  You should be fine either way!!

This is an old thread but I have the same question about US immigration.  This is DF's situation:

was on US Student visa August 2004 - May 2005
came to visit US from Sept 6-23 2005 (2.5 weeks)

he's coming again to US from Nov 17 - 26th (9 days)

Do you think he'll have a problem?  I know that a visitor cannot be in the US for more than 6 months out of the year, Do you think his student visa counts for that time?  I'm nervous about him coming but it should be that last time till 10 months from now when we're getting married.  Also if he gets detained will they (US immigration) let him call me or see me?  VERY NERVOUS!  Has anyone had experience with this? 

Someone may correct me on this - but I'm quite sure the six month thing is not cumulative.  It's per visit.  Also, be VERY careful about him traveling to the US if you are planning to marry.  If they ask you if you are engaged, they may insist he have a K-1 fiance visa.  This can take over six months to get - trust me, I'm in the middle of the process for my own fiance right now.  Just research well what your rights are - look at the US Immigration and Visa sites for more information.  It can be very sticky. 

I would say best friend or something like that to save you time.

Why in the world would you EVER suggest someone lie to an immigration official?  There is nothing to be gained by that, even if it gets you by for the current visit.  If you are found lying it could have horrible and long term impact. 

Luxie - just be honest, and be prepared.  I think that is good sound advice for this situation and life in general.

~Liza

I got the 30 questions last time I went in October. I have two stamps pretty close to each other in date. I told them I was visiting my fiance. Don't do that!!! They write down names, dates and everything. They tell you that you need a visa to marry in the UK etc. The number of stamps don't really matter as long as you aren't there for longer than the six months allowed in each visit. They just want to know what you are doing there so many times. I would say best friend or something like that to save you time. You should be fine either way!!

But if you are doing it the right way, who cares?

I would say 'boyfriend', fiance etc.  They would raise their eyebrows and i'd say 'yes we are getting married in the US and moving back to the UK and YES we are getting a spouse visa at the embassy'

All they care is that you have your ducks in a row and know the rules. If you act educated and beat them to their questions you should have no issues

DH and i both have TONS of stamps in our passports-he was over every month for work and i was over on the off months-he made friends with the dude at boston immigrations! (who had a welsh girl friend!)

If you know the rules and show it, you have nothing to fear in my opinon.

I know there are folks that have been turned away and i highly sympathize, but to lie is NOT the option.

If they ask you if you are engaged, they may insist he have a K-1 fiance visa.  This can take over six months to get - trust me,
~Liza

He is coming to the US though on Nov 17th.  About the fiance visa - We are getting married in the US next September but then moving to the UK.  I thought a fiance visa was only to marry in the US or the UK and then live in the respective country where you were married.  So, if that is correct, he cannot get one. 

He doesn't have time to get a visitors visa now, I guess he'll just have to tell the truth and we'll hope for the best.  I'm going to tell him to take an email between his advisor and him about taking a week off of his master dissertation.  It explains why he is going to the US to sort out wedding plans.  It seems if he takes that (proof he has school to return to), has a return ticket, and just tells the truth, I don't see any problem. 

He didn't seem worried a bit when I talked to him about it.  Maybe they've just never given him any problems. 

He is coming to the US though on Nov 17th.  About the fiance visa - We are getting married in the US next September but then moving to the UK.  I thought a fiance visa was only to marry in the US or the UK and then live in the respective country where you were married.  So, if that is correct, he cannot get one. 

He doesn't have time to get a visitors visa now, I guess he'll just have to tell the truth and we'll hope for the best.  I'm going to tell him to take an email between his advisor and him about taking a week off of his master dissertation.  It explains why he is going to the US to sort out wedding plans.  It seems if he takes that (proof he has school to return to), has a return ticket, and just tells the truth, I don't see any problem. 

He didn't seem worried a bit when I talked to him about it.  Maybe they've just never given him any problems. 

While you are absolutely correct about being able to marry in the US then leave immediately without a K-1 visa, it is always the prerogative of the immigration officer to  say they don't believe you.  I'm not in any way trying to scare you, just to make sure you are prepared, which it sounds like you are doing a good job of.  You are educating yourself so you can speak intelligently about the processes when questioned, and he will have documentation showing that he has commitments in England and must return.  This is exactly what we are having Simon do when he comes next month.  He will have letters from his employer, landlord, and others stating that he has commitments there and must return.  We can only hope it is enough for immigration, and that they believe him when he says he has no intention of staying illegally.

You see - the whole thing is that they do not want to take the risk of him coming into the country, getting married, then deciding to work out the immigration problems after the fact to stay in the US.  Many people try to do this (illegally, I might add), so the immigration officials can be very picky when asking questions.  I've also read from members on other immigration sites that they have searched through and read everything in their possession, including private diaries, etc.

So - again - don't be afraid, just be educated and prepared, and above all honest, and you should be fine. 

And congrats on your engagement!!! 

~Liza

This may be helpful as well:  http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/spouse.html

~Liza