Going to live with boyfriend on what's left of my tourist visa...

Hi everyone. So happy to have found this forum. I'm an American who's boyfriend is British. I was in the UK as a tourist earlier this year so have used up some of my 6 month time allowed to be there per tourist visa rules. He has traveled to the US since and stayed a week. We're planning on getting a place together this month when I return and living together there as long as we can, which is about the 4 1/2 months I'm allowed to remain before I have to return to the US.  

I've read somewhere that custom's officers have turned people away if they say they are coming to stay with their boyfriend or girlfriend for a longish period of time. I could say I'm just coming to visit friends or there as just a tourist but I've also read you should never lie. Always be honest and up front about what you are there for or it could come back to haunt you later.

When I went to the UK before, the custom's officers just asked what my purpose for visiting was (tourist) and how long I planned on staying (never more than a month). I worry that if I say to be with my boyfriend for four months that they could send me home for whatever reason. Anyone have any advice about this situation?

I think that the people who know the right answer are asleep right now.  But, I think that they will tell you that you need to be able to show ties to the US.  Like, a job offer, college enrollment or rent on an apartment.  Also, they will want to make sure that you have enough money to support yourself while you are there.

Thank for the response. I own a home (mortgage) here in the states but will be putting it up for sale before I leave. That's about the only tie I have beside family. I suppose that's a mark against me.

As far as supporting myself, I have plenty of savings and have no need to work so employment in the UK isn't a goal. We simply want to start our life together and are tired of the long distance thing. I'm going to hate leaving him eventually let alone being turned away when I arrive. That's why I wonder if it would raise flags if they knew I were renting a flat with my boyfriend. This may be no big deal. It's just that I've read posts where people were sent home and that scares me!  

If you tell the IO (immigration, not customs) that you plan to rent a flat with your boyfriend, there's a strong chance they'll bounce you.  That is not the behaviour of a tourist or visitor.  A few questions spring to mind: 1. Why can't you stay with your bf where he's living now? 2. Why can't he rent the flat by himself? 3. What do you plan to do when you return to the US if you sell your house? 4. What incentive do you have to leave the UK after 4 months?

Historyenne is right. You may be independently wealthy, but without proof of significant ties to the US there is the chance that you would be refused entry. Especially by putting your house up for sale that is a clear sign that you wouldn't return to the US before your entry stamp expired.

Here is what you should have when trying to enter the UK as a visitor:

What documents do I need as a general visitor?
This page explains what documents you should have when coming to the United Kingdom as a general visitor.

They are:

■if you are employed, a letter from your employer granting leave of absence from your job for a specified period - the letter should also say how long you have been employed by that employer, in what job(s), and when you are expected back at work;
■if you are self-employed, evidence of your business activities and financial standing;
■evidence of any property you own in your home country;
■if you are a student, a letter from your school or college stating the course you are on, its start and finish dates, and the dates of the holiday period when you intend to visit the United Kingdom;
■evidence of any family or social ties and responsibilities to return to;
■evidence of any firm travel plans you have made;
■bank statements going back over a period of several months; and
■evidence of savings available to you.

Technically speaking, my home will still be mine at the point I arrive in the UK. It will be going on the market the day I leave.

My boyfriend is currently in a house share and we'd like to get a place for just us. I guess I was wondering if I have to say "we" are renting or if I should just say staying with him. Then there's the other things I've read about people fibbing and saying "friend" instead of "boyfriend" and getting bounced back. I just know that I didn't have to say anything much when I came over before. I'm here as a tourist. I'll be leaving in X number of week. Passport stamped and done. I expected it would be as simple but I'm not so sure.

This all sounds fine.  Is there something I'm missing?  Do you intend to get married or overstay?  I don't know what the problem is...

The fact that you're shacking neatly sorts out the accomodation hurdle, so it's worth just being transparent about it.

Slight nitpick tho'...  What's left of your tourist visa is nothing.  zero.  It ceases to exist once you're out of the CTA.  So there's nothing left on it.  They are very clear about this and quite ready to actually *argue* about it.  So I wouldn't bring it up.

Overall, what am I missing?  Are you planning to violate any of the conditions in P41?

I mean I have been in the UK about 6 weeks already and know I'm allowed 6 months during any 12 month period. I'm just trying to make sure I have all my ducks in a row as I'm bringing my two young children with me.

I don't know what will happen after the 4 months. We will have been settled in a place and should we want to continue, I don't know what we will have to do to be able to do that. It all seems very complicated. :/

From what I am aware, no matter what, you can't switch to another visa from a tourist visa so you'll have to return to the States to make any application whether that be a fiancée or Spousal visa and realistically these days they are about your only options.

OH!  You didn't tell us the part about bringing two young children. 

Yes, that would muddy up the waters.     Indeed.  Please get all the rest of the important facts out so the people can give an informed response. 

The BCI provisions for children have already kicked in by the way

Are you in the UK already with your kids or not?

BCI provisions? Oh dear... what are those. I currently live in the US. He's been here once last month and I've been to the UK twice this year and going again for a week in 22 Nov to look at flats. We're wanting to be there for Christmas as the short term goal. Long term goal is beginning our life together as a family from there.

Other random details: As far as the children, I'm widowed so there's no "other parent" issues as far as leaving the country. I have no other visas except my tourist visa. I have no criminal record. I'm independently wealthy so there's no need for UK employment or government assistance. I have a house here but it's going up for sale whether I was going to the UK or not. We hope to marry eventually. When that will be, I don't know. 

Thanks for the help!

Just realise that your 'visit' is temporary. You cannot stay longer than 6 months. Once you are in the UK you cannot apply for a different visa while you are here and you MUST return to the US with your children when your visitor time is over. Your children must attend schools that you pay for they cannot attend state schools. You will need to purchase health insurance for yourself & your children that will cover you in the UK for the duration of your time as a visitor as you will not be able to use the NHS system and UK Private Health Insurance piggybacks off of the NHS so purchasing coverage once you arrive will not work either.

You cannot be in the UK more than 6 months at a time. Be prepared of the possibility that you may be refused entry because the IO may believe that you're abusing the visitor system in order to live in the UK without the proper visa & that they can refuse you entry and send you back to the US. If that happens you & your children will need visas issued before you travel to the UK every time in the future.

So by all means, visit...but just visit. You can't 'set up a home' here because the UK is not your home. When and if you and your boyfriend decide what you want your future to be you'll need the proper visa and it is then that you'll be able to 'be home' in the UK.

BCI provisions? Oh dear... what are those.

Those are some new rules about the care and accomodation of children. 

Based upon that I would recommend an entry clearance.  Either visitor or fiance take your pick.  In your case the value is to facilitate a speedy transit through port immigration controls, other people use them for other things.

They are totally optional but they allow you to know before you depart that you'll be ok with the IO.  Haven't a clue what the waiting time is, if any...

I've got to say, I think you'd be taking a major risk just showing up at the airport.  Intending to stay for four months in a flat you rent with your boyfriend with kids who will need to go to school, well, it doesn't sound like you're only intending a visit.  It may be that you have no intention of breaching immigration rules, but IOs are trained to be suspicious.  I'd definitely say you should get prior entry clearance.  And, as Weby said, be sure you've got a good insurance policy and private schools lined up for your kids, because using the NHS or state schools as a visitor is a big no-no, and could come back to haunt you if you ever want to settle in the UK.  Better safe than sorry.