UK Border Security

[Jean Desses 0]

Heathrow's border security always gives me concern. I've never had real problems with them, I just hate the intense scrutiny during questioning. I'm going to visit my fiance' for 7 weeks at the beginning of April, and we'll probably be leaving the country and returning at least 3 times on mini-trips, so I'm just wondering how I should prepare myself. Should I tell them I'll be staying with my fiance, and if so, should I mention that we've applied for a K1 in the US? Do I need to bring documentation that I will be beginning classes at the end of May to demonstrate ties? Or should I expect it just to be treated like every other tourist?

[A&C 1]

I have alot experienced about it it happened with my fiancée I will tell you in detail Via email.

Edited March 3, 2012 by Adnan&Chelsea

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

Heathrow's border security always gives me concern. I've never had real problems with them, I just hate the intense scrutiny during questioning. I'm going to visit my fiance' for 7 weeks at the beginning of April, and we'll probably be leaving the country and returning at least 3 times on mini-trips, so I'm just wondering how I should prepare myself. Should I tell them I'll be staying with my fiance, and if so, should I mention that we've applied for a K1 in the US? Do I need to bring documentation that I will be beginning classes at the end of May to demonstrate ties? Or should I expect it just to be treated like every other tourist?

I got grilled by border security last time I flew into Heathrow because I said I was visiting my fiance. I told her that I had no intentions of staying beyond my 2 week trip, we were planning to file the K1 in the US. I showed my return flights, my travel insurance, a business card (thankfully I had that) and she continued to ask about my employment and his employment. I then pulled up my work schedule on my phone to show her I was seeing patients in the next few weeks. I also showed her my contract to teach at the college (again on my phone). As much as I love England, I'd never want to get licensed or practice there cause the process and career opportunities suck for me. I'm not sure what she would have done if I didn't have that proof with me, or wasn't able to pull it up quickly. I'd recommend telling them about the visa application and bringing evidence with you. I won't ever travel again without it printed and readily available.

Best of luck!

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

I'm sorry for what happened with your fiancee. I can't imagine being detained for 2 days. Even though they have me a hassle, I don't have any ill thoughts towards them (other than the lady could have at least pretended to be friendly). I also love the UK and plan to visit for many years so want to ensure a smooth process at border security. I do understand why they are so strict and that it is up to us to provide proof. Now that we've got our NOA1, I'll be bringing that with me and giving a copy of it to my fiance for his travels. We are also keeping copies of mortgage info, work info/pay stubs/contracts, full itinerary showing return flights, etc. Can't ever be too safe when traveling when you're in process for a visa.

Edited March 3, 2012 by Kathryn41
to remove quote violating TOS

[Jean Desses 0]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll definitely be sure to have a copy of the NOA1 on me (as well as all of the information I have to bring anyway for my fiance' to have to take to the interview with him) and a full itinerary of when I plan to return home. I can also bring a copy of my lease, but unfortunately, I don't own property and I will also be unemployed when I go. (I'm beginning graduate school in May.) Should I bring my acceptance letter or something else proving that I'll be starting school in May? Hmm, now I'm starting to get a bit nervous about it! I'd be devastated if they sent me back.

Edited March 3, 2012 by Jean Desses

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

This always worked for me--

What is the purpose of your trip? I'm on holiday.

[kimmie 2]

Wow - I have been to England 4 times in the last year and have never been asked more than 2 questions - the reason for my visit (pleasure) and how long am I staying. I just keep getting felt up by security on my out of the country - keep telling my fiance he should to UK Border Patrol school to learn how to do it right. :-p

[Pooky 3,784]

Wow - I have been to England 4 times in the last year and have never been asked more than 2 questions - the reason for my visit (pleasure) and how long am I staying. I just keep getting felt up by security on my out of the country - keep telling my fiance he should to UK Border Patrol school to learn how to do it right. :-p

Always remember, they have a job to do. Get defensive about it and you are inviting trouble, whichever country you're entering. Smile and let them get on with it and it tends to go that much easier all round.

Edited March 3, 2012 by Pooky

[xjoseyx 19]

The first time my fiance came to visit me last year he flew into Ireland then into Cardiff so I didnt have to drive to Heathrow. At Ireland, they didnt stamp his passport so when he arrived at Cardiff they were super suspicious of him and went through his bags while they held him for an hour. I had a interview with the guy holding him to verify our story. Everytime hes come here since, hes been held and Ive been questioned. Its super annoying! Theres nothing I can do about this right?

[Krikit 1,164]

Should I bring my acceptance letter or something else proving that I'll be starting school in May?

Yes. Also make sure you don't carry a ton of luggage which makes it appear you're not returning to the U.S. This link is helpful for any border entry:

Visitation FAQ's

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Be sure to show them you have enough money for a 7 week stay (bank statement, travelers checks, credit cards)

Before I got citizenship I used to go for long stays and had a mixed experience - I think if you are young (late teens, twenties) you are more likely to be given a harder time. I never had major problems, just occasional grilling - just answer truthfully and prepare to show evidence and you should be fine.

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

This always worked for me--

What is the purpose of your trip? I'm on holiday.

And this is where my problem started last time.

What is the purpose of your trip? I'm on vacation for two weeks

Where are you staying? the Liverpool area

Specifically, a hotel? With friends? With friends

How do you know these friends? Now if I had gotten any sleep the night before and was thinking straight, I would just have said family friends but said "my fiance and his family" and that's where I got the #######. "A fiance is very different then a friend..."

I also don't know if I looked suspicious because I requested a wheelchair for transport. I usually do when I travel long distances and have long walks at airports. I also get a lot of weird looks for it, but you get used to that when you're younger and have an invisible chronic illness. People just assume you're lazy. I don't care. I'd rather get the assistance than wear myself out and be too tired/sore to enjoy my stay.

Like someone said, be friendly to them and provide them with the info/papers and you should be fine.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

One quote containing inappropriate language and violating the Terms of Service has been removed plus one post containing the removed post has been edited.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

And this is where my problem started last time.

What is the purpose of your trip? I'm on vacation for two weeks

Where are you staying? the Liverpool area

Specifically, a hotel? With friends? With friends

How do you know these friends? Now if I had gotten any sleep the night before and was thinking straight, I would just have said family friends but said "my fiance and his family" and that's where I got the #######. "A fiance is very different then a friend..."

Well when they start asking questions, you gotta answer so that's all you could do. I never called my UK "friend" my fiance ...as in never referred to him by that term to him or friends or famiily. (Maybe on VJ I did) He never proposed and I didn't get an engagement ring. But when we went back to England married, he breezed through the UK line and I got in visitors. (Didn't know I could go through with him.) I said I was visiting my husband's family. Then the questions flew at me. What are their names? Where do they live? Is your husband a UK citizen? Where does he live? Where is he now?...right behind you waiting for me to get through this queue. I guess husband, like fiance was the magic word.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I think even saying you are visiting "friends" could invite scrutiny and grilling, especially for someone staying for long periods of time.

Before I moved to the UK and would visit my now husband was a "more than a friend friend" not really a "boyfriend" and certainly not a fiance I would be grilled on how we met, the nature of the "friendship", etc. Even when the primary purpose of my visit was not to visit him (for example to attend another friend's wedding) I could potentially receive a similar treatment. It all depends on the luck of the draw I think......I think it makes big difference if you are younger or have several UK stamps in your passport.

At the end of the day, the key is to be honest and to have proof of ties and the ability to support yourself.