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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
Every time I return to the UK, it is like I am visiting it the first time with the barrage of questions so I don't know why PaulM has it easy breezy when he goest through but I find it tortuous.UKBAbble wrote: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
I don't see why you would have been under any scrutiny on your first arrival unless you had a chequered immigration history. You should not be asked any questions at all on your re-entry.
Not knowing your status I couldn't comment but a valid UK ancestry visa if valid is a guarantee of entry and as far as I know cannot be cancelled by an immigration officer. There would, therefore be no point in asking the holder any questions.republique wrote:Every time I return to the UK, it is like I am visiting it the first time with the barrage of questions so I don't know why PaulM has it easy breezy when he goest through but I find it tortuous.
They always ask questions. The type of visa never prevents them from doing so, so that is just false sense of security from assuming that. It might be the most secure visa to have but they will always interrogate you.UKBAbble wrote:Not knowing your status I couldn't comment but a valid UK ancestry visa if valid is a guarantee of entry and as far as I know cannot be cancelled by an immigration officer. There would, therefore be no point in asking the holder any questions.republique wrote:Every time I return to the UK, it is like I am visiting it the first time with the barrage of questions so I don't know why PaulM has it easy breezy when he goest through but I find it tortuous.
Really? Do you consider a few questions nterogation? As someone with quite a few years doing that job I can ony wonder if each time you have been unlucky enough to come across an enthusiastic newbie.republique wrote:They always ask questions. The type of visa never prevents them from doing so, so that is just false sense of security from assuming that. It might be the most secure visa to have but they will always interrogate you.
Okay, you seem to be able to characterize my experience without having my experience and discount my sentiments. I don't know how you can tell it was just a few questions and not an unpleasant experience so I'd appreciate if you don't presume it to be otherwise or attribute it to some enthusiastic newbies because you act differently than what I have experienced. The OP asked and having gone through it I gave him my experience so let's just leave at that.UKBAbble wrote:Really? Do you consider a few questions nterogation? As someone with quite a few years doing that job I can ony wonder if each time you have been unlucky enough to come across an enthusiastic newbie.republique wrote:They always ask questions. The type of visa never prevents them from doing so, so that is just false sense of security from assuming that. It might be the most secure visa to have but they will always interrogate you.
Fair enough but to repeat my answer to the OP he should not be asked any questions.republique wrote:Okay, you seem to be able to characterize my experience without having my experience and discount my sentiments. I don't know how you can tell it was just a few questions and not an unpleasant experience so I'd appreciate if you don't presume it to be otherwise or attribute it to some enthusiastic newbies because you act differently than what I have experienced. The OP asked and having gone through it I gave him my experience so let's just leave at that.
Oh for goodness sake, do you have to counter every thing someone says? So whatever triggered it, you can still be interrogated at the border irrespective of your visa. Thats the bottom lineUKBAbble wrote:That sounds far more like a Special Branch check and the nationality and travel history would be what triggers the questioning.
I appreciate you trying to put forward an explanation, but honestly, I have found UK Immigration officials at LHR to be extremely rude most of the time. Some of them don't even bother to speak English in the presence of the visitor- which makes it all the more ironic being badgered by someone who rates English so lowly.UKBAbble wrote:I try to give an informative and helpful answer based on my years of experience unlike some who just want to spread their own prejudice.
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!
Casa wrote:It depends on where you're travelling back from. My Moroccan husband who has been here since May 2006 has never had any problems returning from brief visits to Spain where we were both living previously. However, on his return to the UK (Gatwick) from his first visit to Morocco since he's been here, he was held for almost an hour by immigration at the airport, while the female officer 'checked his UK address' on computer, and ask questions such as "Do you pray 5 times a day", "How often do you go to the Mosque", "Do you have any friends who are terrorists ( ),
where do you work, how much do you earn, what work do you do, why did you have previous residency in Spain, and now live in the UK." (They could see from his passport that he was issued with a spouse visa. )
I was waiting at the airport for him and he asked if they would like to speak to me and they declined the offer.
We put it down to anti-terrorist security checks , but it proves, that it may not matter how many times you come in and out of the UK on your valid visa, you can still be questioned. By the way, my husband doesn't look a dodgy character.
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!