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My quickest, easiest entry back to Heathrow was last month (Terminal 2) using my ILR. The IO didn't say one word; just took my passport and landing card, scanned and stamped them, and handed the passport back. Previously on a student visa, then spouse visa, I was usually asked how long I had been away, and a few questions to verify my status in the UK. The longest questioning I ever had was at Stansted after a week in Italy (student visa: they wanted to know if I was working, why/why not.) The only time I have encountered a truly grumpy IO was when going through the EU queue with my British husband at Heathrow Terminal 1. The IO didn't like that much (although I never had such a telling off doing the same thing at Terminal 3.)PaulM wrote:Later this month it will be the first time I travel out of the UK on my UK Ancestral visa. My query is when I return will I be under the same scrutiny as when I arrived the first time? I'm just looking for some general observations on this. Thanks
You're absolutely right. Many (mostly less experienced) IOs can't avoid some lingering doubt that they might be letting someone in who shouldn't be, so have to make a show by asking naff questions such as you experience. If someone has ILR and they are the rightful holder of the document there is no need to ask any questions. However, it's just possible that someone may be an impostor whose English may be inadequate, so a verbal exchange could reveal this. When I used to do it, I found that a brief friendly "Been away long? Still living here?" got a smiling response from the passenger, and also covered the requirements of the Immigration Rules in respect of Returning Residents.Siggi wrote:
My experience is, they always ask me, even now that I have ILR, how I got my visa and how long I intend staying in the UK.
The line of questioning does annoy me.......
IO can't really ask you too many other questions as a AV holder, but they do have to pretend that they are doing a proper job.
hey its me agianCasa wrote:So all agreed then? You can be questioned on re-entry even with a valid visa.
Joe London...it was obvious that my husband had been previously resident in Spain as his spouse visa had been issued in Madrid.
Married in Spain before we came to the UK, husband with Spanish tarjeta,
now applies for a Schengen visa if he visits.
Best suggestion of the lot - last off the plane, first into the baggage hall. Been there, done it.republique wrote:My suggestion is to sign up with IRIS and then you don't have to talk to the IO at all.
macaroni wrote:Casa wrote:In case the point of my post was missed...in response to the OP's original question...for various reasons (whatever they may be), as Republique has rightly said, you could be questioned at any time when entering the UK, even if your visa is valid and your conscience is squeaky clean.
Special Branch? Because he travelled twice in 2.5 years to Sunny Spain where he had previously lived, and once to visit his parents in Morocco?
Gosh...maybe he did look dodgy after all!
Exactly. The more they question you and talk utter rubbish, the more you look like a liar. If you "stick to your story" ie. the truth, then you're clearly a liar and very crafty. If you look nervous, well obviously you're lying.
Thank heavens your husband does not have relatives in the middle east whom he has visited recently. OBVIOUSLY he would be a terrorist then!
I didn't say they couldn't be questioned I said shouldn't. Any one can be questioned if the IO feels he/she has reasonable cause to do so.BAI wrote:UKBAbble where do you get the info from that someone with UK ancestry cannot be questionned at the port of entry? What if the visa was obtained by deception? As far as I know, IOs can still ask questions at ports of entry to check that the visa is still valid and the circumstances have not changed significantly so as to revoke it and that it was not obtained by deception. I even know of cases where persons with British citizenship were questionned... If someone feels that they should complain it is best to raise this with the Duty CIO there and then.