UK/US Engaged couple living in US visiting UK this wknd: Immigration worries

Hello everyone and happy Monday!

I've read a few threads that have been posted over the past week that are very similar to our situation, but since we are engaged (living in the US and visiting the UK) it’s a little different…

Basically, my fiance (UK citizen) and I (US citizen) are planning on visiting his parents this wknd in the UK. 

We met 3 years ago when I was working in London on a 1 year work visa.  He has since moved to the US and we have been living in NYC together for the past year.  Now that we are engaged (and I have the ring on my finger) we are getting nervous about what will happen I go thru UK immigration.  We both have secure jobs in NYC and are getting married in California in September, so we can definitively say we have no plans to come to the UK anytime soon…however I tend to be heavily questioned every time I go thru immigration since I have lived in the UK on 2 work separate visas and have many visitors stamps over the years (as anyone in a long distance relationship does!  )

The question:  Should he come with me thru the non-EU immigration line in anticipation of any questioning so that the IO can see we are honest about not wanting to stay?  Or should we carry on like usual and go thru our own lines, me with a return ticket to prove I am coming back to the US?  Any advice would be appreciated!!

Thanks!!!

I am clearly pretty inept at this kind of thing, seeing as I was refused entry to the UK back in the fall. The experience did make me realize, though, how naive I was about international travel. Someone else may be able to give you more solid, reliable advice, but I would say that if you do make the trip you should have more than proof of a return ticket with you. When my husband (UK resident) came to visit me in the US at Christmas, we were advised by US immigration to have proof of his return ticket, a statement from his employer on company letterhead saying when he was expected back at work, the lease contract for his flat in the UK, his registration card with his country's embassy in the UK, proof of bank accounts in the UK-- anything that would persuade the IO that he had no intention of staying past his return ticket date. Again, that was for US immigration, but I would imagine that those same kinds of documents might work for the UK too. Also, is there anything that your boyfriend can provide to show that he's currently residing in the US as well?

If you are only staying for a weekend and your return ticket states this, you should have no trouble.  I am not sure about which line to go through - I always go through the non-EU line even when traveling with my UK BF, but I have heard plenty others going through the EU line together with no trouble.  If you are nervous, bring the items suggested by vtcarter, but you should be just fine. You have no ill intentions, so don't act like you do.

I'm not for certain on this, but just raising the concern...

I was under the impression that you could only go through the same line as your SO if they were your spouse?

Otherwise, from what I have seen on here before, most people tend to ask the person just before getting in the queue, which line they should go through. It may be that different airports are different.

I would just make sure you have proof of funds and your accom and something for proof of employment for you, just to show if required.

I would ask about your UK partner going through with you when you arrive, and maybe you go throug the non-UK side and he go through that side if he can.

Have a good holiday and enjoy.

Indy

Hi everyone.

Thanks so much for your replies!!  My fiance has a US work permit in his UK passport, so this should work as evidence that we are only here for the wknd - we'll be sure to ask someone if its OK for him to come with me thru the non-EU line.

I'll also get a letter from my employer stating that I'm expected back at work and bring some bank statements as well and a copy of our lease....phew! so much to think about!

Thanks again!!