Frequent US visitor to the UK

[Kopite83]

Hi everyone,

I sincerely hope someone can help me out here!

I am a recent American college grad who has a boyfriend that lives in the UK (he's a UK citizen). I do not yet have a job but am supported financially by my parents, who help me pay for my plane tickets. I fly into Birmingham as my boyfriend lives near there, and the immigration officials have been more and more wary of my visits each time I come. It's gotten to the point where I get emotionally sick to my stomach at the thought of having to go through the long "Spanish inquisition" process every time I arrive. I am worried that they will refuse me entry and I feel I have done nothing to warranty that.

I do not have a criminal record, have never broken the law, am a US citizen, and see no reason why I have to be increasingly harassed every time I visit.

My boyfriend and I have done extensive research on the UKBA and Home Office pages, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no length of time I must remain in the US before traveling back to England. Also, I have not spent more than 6 months of any year over there. I do generally tend to stay between 3-6 weeks each time I visit, but I leave well within the 6 month time frame.

I am not trying to get a job or live there illegally, and I have enough money to support myself financially, yet I'm worried that they'll ban me from the UK. It seems that they get even more concerned when I tell them I have a boyfriend I'm visiting, yet I don't want to lie to them!

My boyfriend never has this problem when he comes over to the US to visit. They usually ask a few questions, and that's it.

I have tried to space out my visits, hoping maybe that would help. I waited 3 months before returning, and the last time I was over, in late May, with my friend, I was traveling to Ireland with her, and they kept me for 10 minutes for further questioning while my friend had to wait. It was very embarrassing.

If anything, it makes me not want to visit the UK! It is very unnerving and intimidating, and I feel powerless...

Can anyone give me any advice about what I can do to ease any suspicions? Also, what recourse do I have if they do refuse me entry? Can I contact the US Embassy?

Thank you so much in advance!

[mulderpf]

The fact of the matter is that you come over to the UK, without a job, with a boyfriend over here. Any sane person with a logical mind will agree that the chances of you just remaining here instead of going back home is big, because nothing ties you to there. (I bet you that if your boyfriend has to go over to the US without a job in the UK and declare that he is there to visit his girlfriend, they would treat him the same).

You can apply for entry clearance beforehand, but that is an absolute waste of time. You mention that you were kept for 10 minutes for questioning? That's hardly anything - some people are kept for 8 - 12 hours.

Just make sure you take all your paperwork (proof of funds, return ticket) with you each time you come over. If you are enrolled at college, get a letter stating that too.

The fact that you have returned after each visit will probably also count in your favour, but won't stop anyone from questioning you. Seriously, being questioned for 10 minutes longer is not out of the norm.

And they won't ban you from the UK, unless you lied. Just make sure you stick to the rules and that you are friendly with the officers - remember that it's not the same person interviewing you each time (they hear YOUR story everyday, but then those people stay on).

[vinny]

Similar to visitors going to the USA, carry evidence of strong ties to home country.

See also Passport Control at Heathrow and Exploring the decision making of Immigration Officers.

[ouflak1]

The fact of the matter is that you come over to the UK, without a job, with a boyfriend over here. Any sane person with a logical mind will agree that the chances of you just remaining here instead of going back home is big, because nothing ties you to there.

Immigration statistics don't support this statement. And I guarantee you that the UKBA and immigration officers know exactly what those real chances are (*edit:* somewhat less than 1 in 1,000,000 surprisingly!). However, they are VERY wary of single women traveling alone to meet their boyfriends. This has to do with English culture, and frankly, you will just have to deal with it. There are posts on this board of people in perfectly genuine relationships, from countries with historically low immigration issues (Europe, U.S.) who have been outright refused entry. Your situation is actually better than many of theirs in that you have actually met your boyfriend and established a relationship. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. It's just the culture here. I highly recommend you save yourself the stress and just start to accept that when you go to a completely different country, the people are in some ways going to be completely different. And that means you will have to have your relationship and travel plans scrutinized every time you come over. Understand also that things are getting a bit tighter with immigration and it will likely get worse for everyone before it gets better.

[Kitty]

... However, they are VERY wary of single women traveling alone to meet their boyfriends. This has to do with English culture, and frankly, you will just have to deal with it... It's just the culture here.

I must have missed that bit of cultural instruction when I was growing up... Tell us more

[Kopite83]

Thanks all for the informative replies. I read the 2 threads that were referenced to, and I wanted to add that I was not saying that the 10 min wait time was unacceptable, I was merely stating that I thought it was unnecessary is all.

I feel that I am not doing anything wrong, I have always been honest when questioned, and don't understand why they seem to get even more bothered when I tell them I'm visiting my boyfriend. We have been dating since 2008, so I guess that's in my favor...and of course we've met each other, so there's no uncertainty there...

I just don't get why I'm being treated like a criminal for wanting to visit my boyfriend...it's very off-putting and makes a long journey all that more traumatic...never knowing whether I'll be admitted into the country.

[Kitty]

I feel that I am not doing anything wrong, I have always been honest when questioned, and don't understand why they seem to get even more bothered when I tell them I'm visiting my boyfriend. We have been dating since 2008, so I guess that's in my favor...and of course we've met each other, so there's no uncertainty there...

Of course you aren't doing anything wrong.

However, you must accept that although you are being honest in your intentions, many people are not. Many people come to the UK saying they are a visitor, when their real intention is to work, or to get married. Asking you questions at the border is just a way of establishing that you are not one of those people.

Having a boyfriend in the UK is not "in your favour": it's actually the thing that is making them look twice at your request to come into the country. What they see is a long-term relationship that could lead to marriage. If you did want to marry him, then coming under the visa waiver is immeasurably cheaper for you than making the correct application. That's what a lot of people in fact do.

I just don't get why I'm being treated like a criminal for wanting to visit my boyfriend...it's very off-putting and makes a long journey all that more traumatic...never knowing whether I'll be admitted into the country.

You may not feel like you're being treated nicely, but I think 10 minutes of questions hardly counts as being "treated like a criminal".

The thing that is in your favour is your history of leaving the UK when you said you would. Keep on doing that, and they really have not much to complain about.

Does your boyfriend come to meet you at the airport when you arrive? It may give you an added bit of comfort if he's available to confirm to the IO that you're just visiting, if that's necessary.

[Kopite83]

Hi Kitty,

Thanks for your detailed response. Yes, my boyfriend always comes to the airport to pick me up, and he always has a copy of my flight itinerary with him in case there is any problem.