Standard Visitor Visa - USA to UK?

[Taahir_Khan 0]

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My question is, should I apply for it?

 

Situation being earlier in the year I had attempted to visit my girlfriend in UK. I am a new passport holder, I had applied for my passport just two months before my travel date. Overall I feel that the trip was planned poorly due to no experience with traveling abroad. I was refused entry for several reasons though I'm assuming the fact that I had no return ticket was most concerning of all. I had thought I would buy a return ticket after some time since I am in a LDR (long distance relationship) and I'd be meeting my girlfriend for the first time.

 

So I was refused entry and have a giant "X" mark on one of my passport pages now. While I was being detained I was told different things about the mark and what I could have done different to avoid this from happening again. A majority of those I spoke with told me that if I were to travel to the UK again that I would have to call the British Consulate ahead of time to notify them of my prior attempt of entering my UK. But I don't know the whole process of what exactly will happen with that phone call? If anyone knows that information I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Also since I was refused entry is it really best to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa at this point or would calling the British Consulate be just as effective to ensure that I won't be refused again.

[yuna628 9,700]

1 hour ago, Taahir_Khan said:

To get the best advice, include:

Your budget:

1,000 GBP/1,336 USD if needed.

Your travel companions:

None

 

My question is, should I apply for it?

 

Situation being earlier in the year I had attempted to visit my girlfriend in UK. I am a new passport holder, I had applied for my passport just two months before my travel date. Overall I feel that the trip was planned poorly due to no experience with traveling abroad. I was refused entry for several reasons though I'm assuming the fact that I had no return ticket was most concerning of all. I had thought I would buy a return ticket after some time since I am in a LDR (long distance relationship) and I'd be meeting my girlfriend for the first time.

 

So I was refused entry and have a giant "X" mark on one of my passport pages now. While I was being detained I was told different things about the mark and what I could have done different to avoid this from happening again. A majority of those I spoke with told me that if I were to travel to the UK again that I would have to call the British Consulate ahead of time to notify them of my prior attempt of entering my UK. But I don't know the whole process of what exactly will happen with that phone call? If anyone knows that information I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Also since I was refused entry is it really best to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa at this point or would calling the British Consulate be just as effective to ensure that I won't be refused again.

Hi there,

 

Here's something I can tell you with years of knowledge on this particular aspect of subject:

 

1) Every attempt that you make to re-enter the UK will be judged on it's own merits. That means, unlike in the USA, where it's 1 strike and you're out - if you can satisfy the officer upon your next trip to the UK, you can successfully re-enter. 

 

2) Besides being given the red X, were you forced to sign a document, and do you still have that document? What does it say? Knowing that would be helpful, in the off chance you did something they felt would justify a sort of ban (which is highly unlikely and usually only relating to if you had prior criminal history).

 

3) Visitor visa to the UK won't apply to you since you can still re-enter upon your own merits, though whether you do or not successfully will be entirely up to you, chance, and the officer being satisfied. Visitor visas really only come into play unless you intend remaining in the UK for a longer period of time (visa-free visits to the UK are for a much longer time than the US).

 

4) I am unaware of the British Consulate claim or if it is a new rule - personally I am aware that no such call was needed to be made for multiple successful re-entries. I have heard people been told so many different things... and a majority of it is flat out false. And all of these cases were rejected based on similar reasons as yours. The Consulate cannot determine anything on your behalf - it is up to the officer at the POE to decide.

 

5) As you can see, mistakes were made here... not having a return ticket will be the biggest one, if you didn't have travel insurance, and sufficient proof of returning would be another. I find it does help in some of these cases, to actually have the GF/BF or spouse travel back with you, so that they can stand with you and be interviewed in the same line in a rejection case. In some cases you are more apt to be rejected if you are a young female, visiting a bf... this doesn't seem to be the case here - so it is likely that you attempted to visit without proof of ties and no return ticket, hopefully it did not involve you lying to an officer about whom you were visiting. As you have probably experienced they are not the nicest bunch. I've seen cases where a person was completely honest about a relationship (came to propose to gf and had a ring but she didn't know he was coming because duh it was a surprise and he didn't have a return ticket... and while they were sympathetic they still punted him) and still not be successful.

 

So what can be done? You may not like the following suggestion, but it is the best course of action for you, in planning successful future visits ever again.

 

6) Time is your friend here. Even though each visit is based upon it's own merits, you showing up a few days or months later will not improve your chances here. For very successful rejection/re-entry I've seen the individual needed to wait at least a few years. Of course even upon a re-attempt they will not only see the red X in the passport, but may have it logged in their system - so you must always expect questions as to the nature of your prior attempt. These questions must be answered openly and honestly. And any future visit you must come armed with a return ticket, travel insurance, proof of ties to the USA and that you will return home. And no, silly schemes such as pretending you have lost the passport with the X and getting a new one without an X will not make the UK officers forget your prior attempt either (yes I've seen people try that too!)

 

7) It may be better to have your gf visit you in the USA instead - perhaps one day in the future you can have trips back together once a long time has passed. Or you can attempt to meet in a third party country.

 

So to sum up, you can return one day, but no one can determine if you will be successful. You must satisfy the officer and only the officer on the day you show up.

Edited December 23, 2017 by yuna628