Customs

[Amandalk85 0]

Hello my name is Amanda and my fiance is from England. I am fixing to go and see him in November and I was just wondering when the customs officer asks you for your reason for your visit, which is obviously I'm going to see my fiance, if I tell them that is that going to cause problems. Cause I'm just going for a visit to see him and I don't want them to get weird or pull me off to the side, because I've been told that they are supposed to treat every visitor as a potential immigrant. I was just wondering what you guys or gals say or do in this situation? Thank you for your feedback.

[Brit Abroad 166]

If you've applied for your K1, then take your NOA1 and any evidence that supports your intention to return to the US (property lease, letter from work saying you're going to be employed on your return on XXX date, etc).

Most of the time you'll be asked the purpose of your visit, duration and whether you have sufficient funds to support yourself while there. If you have a return ticket, they're not normally too heavy if you're from one of the Western countries. Best bet is generally to give them the truth, but be selective about the information you give. Answer questions, don't volunteer more.

Have a wonderful time in England with your fiance!

[Amandalk85 0]

If you've applied for your K1, then take your NOA1 and any evidence that supports your intention to return to the US (property lease, letter from work saying you're going to be employed on your return on XXX date, etc).

Most of the time you'll be asked the purpose of your visit, duration and whether you have sufficient funds to support yourself while there. If you have a return ticket, they're not normally too heavy if you're from one of the Western countries. Best bet is generally to give them the truth, but be selective about the information you give. Answer questions, don't volunteer more.

Have a wonderful time in England with your fiance!

Thank you so much for that advice, I'm just a little nervous and I want everything to be okay. I really appreciate it so much.

[Ban Hammer 13,501]

probably best served in the uk forum, so moved from off topic to the uk regional.

[Gemmie 142]

People usually give conflicting advice on this.

Some think it's best to withhold the information and simply say that you're visiting friends or just on vacation - whilst others would say to tell the whole truth and have lots of evidence to prove you're going home.

I visited about 9 or 10 times. I always said that I was visiting my boyfriend or my fiance (when asked the purpose of my visit). Sometimes I would tack on a "visiting my boyfriend for Christmas break" to confirm that this was just a visit. I always had my return ticket ready to show. I also had a letter from my university ready in my hand luggage in case they got feisty (which they rarely did). When asked further questions (if he was American, how we met, etc) I made sure to answer with a smile and bluntly. I made sure he could see my hands and kept them steady. I sometimes commented on how long the flight was to retain normalcy - basically kept myself calm so I didn't look suspicious.

It's up to you how you present your intent at the border, this was just my experience.

Edited September 26, 2009 by Gemmie

[Nik+Heather 121]

If you've applied for your K1, then take your NOA1 and any evidence that supports your intention to return to the US (property lease, letter from work saying you're going to be employed on your return on XXX date, etc).

We did this (minus property lease only), and were quite successful being open about the engagement and the petition for the K1.

And don't be too nervous about being nervous - Nik has gotten pulled into secondary every visit (except the 87 day one!!). But I think it's because he normally speaks very softly, and I think he does even more when he's a bit nervous. They let him in every time.

Actually, Nik's printer broke down the day before he left, and his international itinerary wasn't printed (only the Hawaii one which took up most of his stay) so he had nothing to show for his return ticket. Though I would say that in general it is the best piece of evidence you can have.

[Nicoxcx 1]

Yes my then fiance was also pulled into secondary on his visits to me. I got a phone call from customs asking me about our application, where he worked, what I did for a living, how long he was staying etc;; luckily they had my mobile number which I took to the airport with me.

Steven also had nothing to show that he would return to the USA (He had 3 one way tickets, 2 for him and 1 for me to return with him). It is easier to get into the UK as a US citizen than vice versa. Your NOA1 will be the best evidence you can have!

The same rules apply with all customs officers, don't get defensive and be respectful and smile!

Enjoy our trip and don't worry.

[Justine+David 218]

Yeah, I've just been on my 5th trip to the UK and my advice is not to be too "chatty." Just answer the questions without any commentary and have your flight ticket, letter from employer if you're working (although if this is one of your first times they probably won't care very much).

Personally, this last time when I referred to my significant other as my fiance rather than my boyfriend was the least hassled I've been. I wasn't even asked for my return ticket, though I had my NOA1, work schedule, bank account statement, and my nursing license to prove that I'm a U.S. nurse.

[Damian&Kelly 16]

Everyone has something different to say about this, and I don't think customs even know themselves. The first time I went to the UK, they held me for 2 hours and every few minutes they would say "you can't get married while your here" and I only called him my boyfriend. They finally let me through saying "you have to swear you won't get married". I haven't been treated great when going to the UK, My husband had no problems coming to the US, the last visit the guy said "maybe you should look into a visa, because you've been spending a lot of time here" at that point it was his last visit and we were planning on applying for the K-1 so it wasn't a big issue.

Just bring enough evidence that you have a reason to return home and you won't have any problems. Honesty is the best policy.

Last time I went over I took my return ticket, a copy of our K-1 packet, Our NOA1, An itinerary of the whole 2 weeks I was staying, a couple of my bank statement and a note from my employer. Really had no trouble with that paperwork, tho she didn't know what the K-1 was and really she didn't care.

[david'sgirl 134]

We have been honest and so far had no problems. When we were dating we said we were visiting a friend. Once we were engaged we said we were visitng fiance. I went back to Scotland for a long weekend after we got married. I just answered questions and told them we are waiting for his visa. He is coming here Monday and bringing proof of mortgage,car,job, return ticket and he and his mum's tickets for Thanksgiving since he would need to go home to come back with her in November. I'm hoping it wont be a problem. I really think you need to be honest but keep it concise and do not offer more than you need to when you respond. Best of luck!

[Nicoxcx 1]

Glasgow airport has great customs officers, the one that called me asked me a bunch of questions (birthdates etc) and then started talking about Hogmanay, "show him what a proper Hogmanay in Scotland is like" it was very friendly after the initial questioning.

tho she didn't know what the K-1 was and really she didn't care.

For some reason that made me laugh

[souljah4christ 0]

I can tell you what NOT to do.. do not lie. Be straight forward and honest. Do NOT lie about your relationship. I made this mistake in July!

I flew to see my girlfriend a few times with no problem, just having to show them my return ticket, my cash, and answer some questions about where I was staying. I thought that since we were now engaged, the best bet would be to lie and tell them I was just going to see my 'girlfriend' again (to avoid raising any 'red flags'). BAD MOVE!

I always fly into Manchester via Delta, but in July I flew American Airlines which sent me into a different and smaller terminal.

They asked me tons of questions this time, about our relationship and our intentions for the future and such, which I tried to play off as if we were 'just dating' and that our plans for the future were to 'see what happens'. They then detained me and called my fiancee over the intercom to verify things with her. Then they came back to me and asked me the same questions again, but I stuck to my story (although I felt like I was saying the wrong thing). I noticed the guy marking a line on his paper every time I would lie, but for some reason I still stuck to my story and tried to keep my cool (even though he was breaking me down).

He then sent me back to the detainment room, and I felt like coming clean as I walked away (I was sure I had said the wrong thing). He came to me and sat down and told me that the problem was the fact that my fiancee was telling him that we were engaged and that we were in the midst of the visa process (our petition had been sent but not approved at that time).

I immediately came clean and told him the truth, and that I was sorry for lying but I had felt like they might not let me in if they knew we were engaged. He left me there and came back later, asking me about my luggage, and took me and another girl who was also detained (also for lying about her relationship with her boyfriend) down to the luggage area and searched our bags.

My fiancee told me later that he had called her again to let her know it will be a little while longer, and she asked if she should be worried (she knew something was wrong since it had been hours now). He said there was no reason to be worried because he had not decided if they were going to let me in yet.

After searching every inch of every bag, my wallet, and pockets.. he took me back upstairs. I was worried, since I had brought WAY too much luggage for a 2 week stay.. so I explained how I packed too much because my fiancee's dryer was broken. He asked why I brought my gloves and beanies (ski caps) in the summer. *LOL* I told him that it is always cold when I go there and laughed it off.

Then I was sent back to the detainment room, where I prayed silently for God to let all of us detainees in. The man called me back again (it had now been 3 hours of total detainment). He told me that it is always best to tell the truth, and that he was going to let me enter for only 2 weeks. He said that my passport will be stamped with the 6 month stamp, but that he will write a code on it which will correspond with his notes in the computer stating that I was to leave within 2 weeks. He also said that next time I try to enter, that I will be detained again when they see this code, and that I will need to explain to them my entire ordeal that I just went through!

I thanked him as if he had just saved my life, and thanked God for His grace and mercy. †

[*julez* 124]

Hello my name is Amanda and my fiance is from England. I am fixing to go and see him in November and I was just wondering when the customs officer asks you for your reason for your visit, which is obviously I'm going to see my fiance, if I tell them that is that going to cause problems. Cause I'm just going for a visit to see him and I don't want them to get weird or pull me off to the side, because I've been told that they are supposed to treat every visitor as a potential immigrant. I was just wondering what you guys or gals say or do in this situation? Thank you for your feedback.

When I went to visit my fiance (then boyfriend) for the first time in the UK, the immigrations officer asked me if I was there for business or holiday. I indicated holiday. She then stamped my passport for entry.

On subsequent visits, I was asked with whom I was staying and I answered either boyfriend or fiance, as appropriate. Only once was I asked a few extra questions, a very mild "grilling" but nothing that caused me to be pulled into secondary inspection.

Since this appears to be your first visit to the UK, I wouldn't sweat it to much. Just answer the questions honestly, but never elaborate unless they request more information.

PS - Anyone but me find it hilariously ironic that the souljah4christ lied repeatedly to immigrations?

[Justine+David 218]

As a sidenote, somebody had suggested signing up for "Iris" which allows you to talk to no one! You just go into a box and get your eyes scanned.

If you're not a UK citizen, then you have to have entered the UK 2 times in the last six months or 4 times in the last 12 months.

I got registered as I was leaving the UK and it only took about 5 minutes.

[pdcvcc 0]

As a sidenote, somebody had suggested signing up for "Iris" which allows you to talk to no one! You just go into a box and get your eyes scanned.

If you're not a UK citizen, then you have to have entered the UK 2 times in the last six months or 4 times in the last 12 months.

I got registered as I was leaving the UK and it only took about 5 minutes.

I don't know if that is cool or spooky. Cool No spooky Okay it is pretty cool but a little spooky. I think I have watched too many Mission Impossibles....