"Coded" Landing, advice needed. My head is spinning.

Okay, as I've posted before my SO had a little trouble with Immigration at Manchester when he flew to the UK in January.  Firstly, he didn't know the address of the hotel we were staying in so that was left blank on his landing card, he didn't have much money on his person... The IO contacted me, I gave them my married name as that's how I'm still "officially" known, he gave my Maiden name as that's how he knows me.  That discrepancy meant that they took him into Secondary and questioned him further.  He was given the 6 month stamp and they eventually let him in.  They also gave him a form, we're not sure exactly what it was. IS81?  He lost it...

So, we called Immigration at the airport.  Talked to a few different people and keep getting different answers.

We know that the "code" written just above his stamp is his landing card numbers.  He was apparently given this "code 3 landing" as the IO wasn't entirely satisfied but did not have enough reason to deny his entry to the UK.

Someone else told us that it meant he wasn't able to visit for 6 months after he left.

I'm panicking, because I'm ill right now and he's going to have to make an emergency trip over here to be with me.

I have no clue what to do.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Did he stay for the full 6 months during the last visit?

No, he was only here for 14 days.

No, he was only here for 14 days.

Coded landing just means they'll have kept a record of his intentions, on microfilm (they keep the landing card) and their computer system. So they should have it recorded that he only stayed for 14 days, which will definitely help you. As far as I know there's no rule saying you can't visit again for 6 months - just that IOs don't like it if you spend more than 6 months out of the year in the UK.

Coded landing just means they'll have kept a record of his intentions, on microfilm (they keep the landing card) and their computer system. So they should have it recorded that he only stayed for 14 days, which will definitely help you. As far as I know there's no rule saying you can't visit again for 6 months - just that IOs don't like it if you spend more than 6 months out of the year in the UK.

Yeah, I had a bit of a search around and it basically said that they keep the landing card with the info on there.  A couple of the people I spoke to were really helpful and quite sympathetic with my situation, the long distance thing.  They said that he will probably get questioned about the previous trip (the reason he was held) and provided everything else is ok, return ticket, enough funds, knows where he's staying this time there should be no problems.

So given that last time, he had no job, no money, didn't know where he was staying, apparently had too much luggage, and looked like a hobo (my words, since his hair is long and curly)...

This time, he has a job (will have a letter from employer), he will have money with him + credit card, won't have too much luggage and I'm making him cut his hair. Shallow I know, but if people are "scruffy" looking, IMO they are more likely to get a hard time.

I'm just really confused by the different answers I'm getting from different people at the Immigration Desk, I called the Terminal 2 one.

So given that last time, he had no job, no money, didn't know where he was staying, apparently had too much luggage, and looked like a hobo (my words, since his hair is long and curly)...

This time, he has a job (will have a letter from employer), he will have money with him + credit card, won't have too much luggage and I'm making him cut his hair. Shallow I know, but if people are "scruffy" looking, IMO they are more likely to get a hard time.

My guess is that he'll be OK next time, although he might be asked a few more questions because of the previous trouble. If you're nervous you could look at him applying for a visit visa to the UK, so it's all done before he flies. But if he has his proof-of-return he should be all right (he did well to get through last time without a job!)

I'm pretty sure there's no rule that people coming in on Code 3 landings aren't allowed in for another six months. It just means they might question him more the next time he comes through.

My guess is that he'll be OK next time, although he might be asked a few more questions because of the previous trouble. If you're nervous you could look at him applying for a visit visa to the UK, so it's all done before he flies. But if he has his proof-of-return he should be all right (he did well to get through last time without a job!)

I'm pretty sure there's no rule that people coming in on Code 3 landings aren't allowed in for another six months. It just means they might question him more the next time he comes through.

I did think of Entry Clearance but aren't they likely to refuse it due to that fact that USC's don't need one to enter the UK for a visit?

It's the same way with the US B2 Visa, people are told to apply for them, they don't get them because you can travel on the VWP...and it screws everything up.

How long does getting Entry Clearance take out of curiosity?

US citizens can apply for entry clearance if they want to.  I would think you'd just want to make it clear why you're applying for it.

Okay, as I've posted before my SO had a little trouble with Immigration at Manchester when he flew to the UK in January.  Firstly, he didn't know the address of the hotel we were staying in so that was left blank on his landing card, he didn't have much money on his person... The IO contacted me, I gave them my married name as that's how I'm still "officially" known, he gave my Maiden name as that's how he knows me.  That discrepancy meant that they took him into Secondary and questioned him further.  He was given the 6 month stamp and they eventually let him in.  They also gave him a form, we're not sure exactly what it was. IS81?  He lost it...

So, we called Immigration at the airport.  Talked to a few different people and keep getting different answers.

We know that the "code" written just above his stamp is his landing card numbers.  He was apparently given this "code 3 landing" as the IO wasn't entirely satisfied but did not have enough reason to deny his entry to the UK.

Someone else told us that it meant he wasn't able to visit for 6 months after he left.

I'm panicking, because I'm ill right now and he's going to have to make an emergency trip over here to be with me.

I have no clue what to do.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have 11 of those forms(8 that they needed more research and 3 that they are suspending my spousal visa) but I never received a number on top of my passport stamps.

I have 11 of those forms(8 that they needed more research and 3 that they are suspending my spousal visa) but I never received a number on top of my passport stamps.

What kind of information is on them? And you've really been held for questioning that many times?

What kind of information is on them? And you've really been held for questioning that many times?

Yes, the pitfalls of having a long distance relationship with a lot of entries, either from the states or weekend trips out of the UK to Europe.  I was OK  with it when I entered as tourist but I was always told when if I obtained a spousal visa it would end. First time I entered with my 2 week old $950 spousal visa I was detained and handed that form with LLR visa suspended checked. I freaked! It's happened 2 times after that and I just accept it now. Each time the say they will remove the issues and then it comes up the next time as an inquiry and they want to know why that is.
Im curious why I don't have any number either on my passport or that form, just the heathrow,gatwick,stansted stamp.

Yes, the pitfalls of having a long distance relationship with a lot of entries, either from the states or weekend trips out of the UK to Europe.  I was OK  with it when I entered as tourist but I was always told when if I obtained a spousal visa it would end. First time I entered with my 2 week old $950 spousal visa I was detained and handed that form with LLR visa suspended checked. I freaked! It's happened 2 times after that and I just accept it now. Each time the say they will remove the issues and then it comes up the next time as an inquiry and they want to know why that is.
Im curious why I don't have any number either on my passport or that form, just the heathrow,gatwick,stansted stamp.

And you've never been denied entry, right?

I think he should be ok.  They let him in last time, with numerous reason not to.  This time he won't be giving them any reasons not to...and he complied with going home at the end of his 2 weeks when he said he was going to.  The issues from last time simply will not be there.

Does anyone think I'm obsessing over this too much? Be honest...

Does anyone think I'm obsessing over this too much? Be honest...

Yes.  But but sometimes it's hard not to

Yes.  But but sometimes it's hard not to

I know I am...this stuff is driving me nuts, but in the end I have no control over it.

I put myself through hell thinking I was going to get denied entry to the U.S and they didn't even ask me anything other than how long I was there for!

All we can do is prepared and not give them any reasons to deny him entry, right?

And you've never been denied entry, right?

I think he should be ok.  They let him in last time, with numerous reason not to.  This time he won't be giving them any reasons not to...and he complied with going home at the end of his 2 weeks when he said he was going to.  The issues from last time simply will not be there.

Does anyone think I'm obsessing over this too much? Be honest...

No never been denied and no you aren't obsessing too much.
I emphasized that I know the rules and I have ties to the US. Mentioning that I have a dog in the US that I had to go home to I think helped.