Entry troubles?

[TimsDaisy 0]

Anyone have any issues getting into the UK to visit their fiance(e)? I'm going next week. This is the first time I'm going to see my fiance and not my boyfriend. Though the difference is only one of a state of mind, really, I'm suddenly worried about issues at passport control. Anyone had any trouble there before? I mentioned this in another forum - but I thought I'd bring it up here too. Should I have a letter from my employer. Not say anything? I'm still visiting friends too, so saying so isn't a lie. Why am I freaking out about this now? There's 0 reasons to be turned away . . . .

[TracyTN 237]

I've only ever been asked if I'm there for business or a holiday. Obviously I'd answer holiday.

No, I take that back - my first time over, I was asked if I was staying w/ family or friends. I said friends (as they're not yet family). My next time over will be for the US visa interview, and I plan to tell them that if asked. Should be proof enough that I'm planning to return home! LOL (although I will have other 'proof' with me)

[Dan+Nikki 0]

Anyone have any issues getting into the UK to visit their fiance(e)? I'm going next week. This is the first time I'm going to see my fiance and not my boyfriend. Though the difference is only one of a state of mind, really, I'm suddenly worried about issues at passport control. Anyone had any trouble there before? I mentioned this in another forum - but I thought I'd bring it up here too. Should I have a letter from my employer. Not say anything? I'm still visiting friends too, so saying so isn't a lie. Why am I freaking out about this now? There's 0 reasons to be turned away . . . .

I went to visit my fiance' over Christmas and New Years. They asked me what my plans were while in England when I arrived at passprt control. I told them I was there to visit my fiance' and her family. I had brought a copy of my NOA2 incase they were suspicious I was planning to marry in the UK. I also brought my property tax info on my home. They didnt ask for anything and didnt even seem the least bit concerned I was visiting my fiance'. The only thing they asked me after I told them was if she was a British citizen. I said yes and she stamped my passport and let me through.

[John & Annie 0]

ditto, its not really a problem.

I went over as a spouse to a British citizen and they did not even bat an eye at it. They just checked that we had return tickets.

[Kinsey 0]

I was just worrying about the same thing. I'm actually going back over next Friday to stay with my fiance while we await his visa. I have no job in the states currently, and do not own a home. I'm just bringing our NOA1, and the NOA2 if it makes it in time, and enough money to support myself. I also only have a one-way ticket, but you don't need a return ticket, just to prove you can afford one.

When I went last June (I transferred in Dublin from Chicago, as I will next week) I had a work card and was able to stay for 6 months and work, but no one even asked to see it (because of that, I didn't get the stamp I needed and had to fly to France just to fly back in and get the stamp. Yes, seriously.) I only had a one-way ticket then too. I figure with the K1 on it's way, there is no reason for me to want to stay in the UK, and they know that.

Hopefully it goes alright!

Best of luck to the rest of you traveling!

[jezebelseven 0]

I'm one of the rare cases here on VJ who have had a problem nearly every time I went over.

I was young and still in school some of the times. Homeschooled. Made it easier for me to pick when and where I went over there as I could basically just bring my books with me. I also had no job due to the age thing. Thanks to that and I imagine a few other minor things (I overpacked, had never travelled before so I had no idea how much was 'too much', among other things), I guess it raised some red flags or something because I was questioned at the standard desk thing for at least an hour or so. The man I was first interviewed by was also training a younger woman so I think that caused more issues-- After I answered all the questions for him I had to do the same thing for her for some reason despite her being there the whole time. I told them I was visiting a friend (Which at the time it was a very casual relationship so I was hesitant to call him a boyfriend anyway), I had to tell them how much luggage I'd brought, how much money I'd brought, what my plans were, explain in detail the school situation, why I didn't have a job, the whole lot. I kept telling them I had a return ticket but they insisted that wasn't enough and finally after spending entirely too much time trying to convince them that I wasn't trying to do anything dodgy they let me go with a very stern warning that I was not to stay a day over 2 weeks (which was how long the return ticket was for) or I would face severe punishment.

I was quite shaken after that as, like I've said, that was my first time travelling by plane ever, and I knew something wasn't right when everyone else on my plane was getting approved in 2 seconds and walking away. I probably got nervous talking to them because of that and they thought something *else* was wrong. Plus I was nervous from the start as I don't do well in large crowds and whatnot. It was all in all a horrible time.

Thanks to that whole kerfluffle, I was apparently red flagged in their system for the next few years, and had to go through the same ####### each time. I didn't understand it until one very nice woman on one of my trips explained to me why this kept happening to me. She did have to do the same kind of stuff but she was very casual and friendly and though I had to wait nearly an hour and a half for her to be able to use a phone to call out to Adam's mobile to confirm he was there to pick me up, she did warn me nicely to expect this in the future on my visits as I have some sort of note on my passport info to verify everything. That being said, the last time I went it was the standard 'Business or pleasure, Family or Friends?' 'Pleasure, Boyfriend' *stampstamp* "Have a nice trip", so that was a great suprise.

If you're *really* worried about it, get a letter from your employer, but don't offer it up unless they ask or if they seem to be hesitant or anything. Plus, if you've had trips over there with no problem, hopefully that would continue. It seems like most people really do not have any problems but in my case, it was better to be prepared just in case. I wouldn't worry too much about it because my story tends to really be the rare side of it!

[TimsDaisy 0]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm taking over a copy of the I-129F to give to my fiance anyway - and will also take a letter from my boss saying I work where I work and am expected back on date x - some paystub receipts, the return ticket (well, the email confirmation thereof - does anyone have real tickets anymore?). I hope that's enough if there's a problem. I hope there isn't a problem to begin with. i don't think there should be - but I'm not the British government.

[MargotDarko 0]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm taking over a copy of the I-129F to give to my fiance anyway - and will also take a letter from my boss saying I work where I work and am expected back on date x - some paystub receipts, the return ticket (well, the email confirmation thereof - does anyone have real tickets anymore?). I hope that's enough if there's a problem. I hope there isn't a problem to begin with. i don't think there should be - but I'm not the British government.

You have plenty of evidence and you're doing absolutely nothing remotely illegal. So relax and have fun!

(I've entered the UK once as a girlfriend and once as a fiancee. Both times I had a student visa and they only asked about that, but still it was really easy.)

[rebeccajo 14]

Last year UK immigration passed a law that you cannot marry in that country without a fiance visa. They offer no method of adjusting through marriage (like AOS) either.

[TimsDaisy 0]

We have no intention of marrying there since we're processing the K1 here in the US.

[MrsBruce5 0]

I never had an issue when we were going through the process...

They usually ask a few Q's-business or pleasure, how long will you be staying?, and maybe where will you be staying...I never said I was visiting my fiance or husband as it would be too much information to volunteer. If asked, I would tell-but better to keep matters simple. It is a good idea, however, to bring copies of your I-129 just in case....

Have a fine trip !!

[rebeccajo 14]

We have no intention of marrying there since we're processing the K1 here in the US.

I know that.

But if the purpose of your visit, if asked, is 'to visit my boyfriend' the border patrol knows you can't immigrate by 'visiting and marrying'.

If you get what I'm saying............

[TimsDaisy 0]

I see what you're saying - but I don't think the inability to marry to immigrate would make them feel any better. Regardless of whether I would think I could adjust status in the UK or not, overstaying there is as frowned upon as overstaying here - so I believe the risks and presumptions border agents would apply would be the same.

I'm not terribly worried. Just looking for anecdotal evidence either way.

[Jennymc11 2]

I think the main thing is that you have plenty of evidence that you plan to return back to the US. I had a lot of trouble the very first time I came to England. I was coming for a visit for 7 weeks, had quit my job, didn't have anything on me showing that I planned to go back to the US. I was so naive and was almost denied entry. Since then, I have entered a few times and am pretty much always hassled. This last time I went back to Colorado for Christmas, I decided to apply for a visitors visa (although technically I don't need one) just to be safe. The immigration officer still asked me loads of questions but I am here in Leeds and can stay until the end of June. Now only if we could get Rich's K-1 by then!

Good luck everyone!

[Kinsey 0]

I posted earlier and this topic and just wanted to update you guys.

I flew from Chicago to Dublin then onto Manchester. I only had a one-way ticket and my only proof of returning home was our NOA2.

When I got to Dublin she asked me what the purpose of my trip to Ireland was, I said, I'm connecting to Manchester, actually. She checked my landing card where I had written that and said, "Oh right. Are you studying there?" (as I had put student as my occupation). I said, "No, I'm just visiting." She didn't ask how long I was planning to stay although I did hear her ask people in front of me.

That was it and she stamped my passport. I think the reason is that I always fly through Dublin (although I once flew straight into Heathrow and didn't have any problems) and so when they ask me my purpose, it's always "Catching a connecting flight." Perhaps the Irish could care less if people remain in England or not.

Hope this is encouring.

Best of luck.

Edited February 11, 2007 by Kinsey