Visiting the UK for 5 months.. concerned?

Hi all, so very sorry if this is in the wrong forum.. didn't know where else to post it..

I'm 21, travelling to the UK (Wales) July 6th through December 12th as a tourist staying with a friend and his family, but will also be visiting family and other friends as well. It's my first time to the UK and my first time out of the country.

I'm concerned about not getting through immigration, as I've read so many horror stories from people in a similar situation.

My question really is this;

I will have a return ticket, a copy of both bank statements with my personal account as well as my mom's whose account I have access to. I will have a letter from my friend and his family stating that they will provide accom. and any extra funds to further fund my trip as well as a letter from my parents stating that they can help me with any extra funding as well. Addresses of my family members in North Wales and a rough itinerary of what we plan to do while I'm there. (Edinburgh, London, Leeds Music Festival, Paris, possibly Germany or Belgium, etc.)

I MUST return to the US by December 12th not only for Christmas vacation in the US with my family, but also because I am a freelance makeup artist and model signed with an agency and must return to work.

Here's my question.. will all of these things be sufficient enough to get through immigration? I am a genuine tourist with no intent to overstay or move here anytime soon. Should I bring a copy of my contract from my agency along with a letter stating that I must return to work from vacation by January 1st? I just want to make sure all my bases are covered so that I can make it through smoothly, but I already know I will be questioned.

Yes I have read the UKBA website. No I do not need a visa as I am a US citizen.

Thank you so much in advanced!

You will actually be issued with a visitor visa when you arrive in the UK, so as a US citizen, it's not that you don't need a visa at all, it's that you don't necessarily need to apply for one before you travel.

Some people may prefer to apply for a visitor visa before they travel if they are worried that they may be refused entry to the UK at the airport, but it's really up to you. If you have plenty of evidence that you will leave the UK, have enough money and have a life to return to in the US, then you may well be okay.

Sounds like you have quite a lot of evidence prepared already.

However, I would definitely include your job contract and a letter from your employer stating when you must return to work - so you have proof of needing to return in December. If you have any firm plans for Christmas vacation, you can include those too - to show you have to be in the US for Christmas.

Also, you should have a return plane ticket with you as this is one of the main things they will be looking for you to have.

The most important things you will need:

- a return ticket
- evidence of enough money for your trip/someone to sponsor you in the UK for money and accommodation
- evidence of a job to return to in the US
- evidence of a home to return to in the US
- evidence of any other commitments you must return for.

Is this friend your boyfriend? You may be asked that and you should answer honestly.

Remember also that if you travel to Europe and then back into the UK you will need to clear UK immigration again just as if you were arriving from the US.