Anyone have any issues getting into the UK to visit their fiance(e)? I'm going next week. This is the first time I'm going to see my fiance and not my boyfriend. Though the difference is only one of a state of mind, really, I'm suddenly worried about issues at passport control. Anyone had any trouble there before? I mentioned this in another forum - but I thought I'd bring it up here too. Should I have a letter from my employer. Not say anything? I'm still visiting friends too, so saying so isn't a lie. Why am I freaking out about this now? There's 0 reasons to be turned away . . . .

I've only ever been asked if I'm there for business or a holiday. Obviously I'd answer holiday.

No, I take that back - my first time over, I was asked if I was staying w/ family or friends. I said friends (as they're not yet family). My next time over will be for the US visa interview, and I plan to tell them that if asked. Should be proof enough that I'm planning to return home! LOL (although I will have other 'proof' with me)

I went to visit my fiance' over Christmas and New Years. They asked me what my plans were while in England when I arrived at passprt control. I told them I was there to visit my fiance' and her family. I had brought a copy of my NOA2 incase they were suspicious I was planning to marry in the UK. I also brought my property tax info on my home. They didnt ask for anything and didnt even seem the least bit concerned I was visiting my fiance'. The only thing they asked me after I told them was if she was a British citizen. I said yes and she stamped my passport and let me through.

ditto, its not really a problem.

I went over as a spouse to a British citizen and they did not even bat an eye at it. They just checked that we had return tickets.

I was just worrying about the same thing. I'm actually going back over next Friday to stay with my fiance while we await his visa. I have no job in the states currently, and do not own a home. I'm just bringing our NOA1, and the NOA2 if it makes it in time, and enough money to support myself. I also only have a one-way ticket, but you don't need a return ticket, just to prove you can afford one.

When I went last June (I transferred in Dublin from Chicago, as I will next week) I had a work card and was able to stay for 6 months and work, but no one even asked to see it (because of that, I didn't get the stamp I needed and had to fly to France just to fly back in and get the stamp. Yes, seriously.) I only had a one-way ticket then too. I figure with the K1 on it's way, there is no reason for me to want to stay in the UK, and they know that.

Hopefully it goes alright!

Best of luck to the rest of you traveling!

I'm one of the rare cases here on VJ who have had a problem nearly every time I went over.

I was young and still in school some of the times. Homeschooled. Made it easier for me to pick when and where I went over there as I could basically just bring my books with me. I also had no job due to the age thing. Thanks to that and I imagine a few other minor things (I overpacked, had never travelled before so I had no idea how much was 'too much', among other things), I guess it raised some red flags or something because I was questioned at the standard desk thing for at least an hour or so. The man I was first interviewed by was also training a younger woman so I think that caused more issues-- After I answered all the questions for him I had to do the same thing for her for some reason despite her being there the whole time. I told them I was visiting a friend (Which at the time it was a very casual relationship so I was hesitant to call him a boyfriend anyway), I had to tell them how much luggage I'd brought, how much money I'd brought, what my plans were, explain in detail the school situation, why I didn't have a job, the whole lot. I kept telling them I had a return ticket but they insisted that wasn't enough and finally after spending entirely too much time trying to convince them that I wasn't trying to do anything dodgy they let me go with a very stern warning that I was not to stay a day over 2 weeks (which was how long the return ticket was for) or I would face severe punishment.

I was quite shaken after that as, like I've said, that was my first time travelling by plane ever, and I knew something wasn't right when everyone else on my plane was getting approved in 2 seconds and walking away. I probably got nervous talking to them because of that and they thought something *else* was wrong. Plus I was nervous from the start as I don't do well in large crowds and whatnot. It was all in all a horrible time.

Thanks to that whole kerfluffle, I was apparently red flagged in their system for the next few years, and had to go through the same crap each time. I didn't understand it until one very nice woman on one of my trips explained to me why this kept happening to me. She did have to do the same kind of stuff but she was very casual and friendly and though I had to wait nearly an hour and a half for her to be able to use a phone to call out to Adam's mobile to confirm he was there to pick me up, she did warn me nicely to expect this in the future on my visits as I have some sort of note on my passport info to verify everything. That being said, the last time I went it was the standard 'Business or pleasure, Family or Friends?' 'Pleasure, Boyfriend' *stampstamp* "Have a nice trip", so that was a great suprise.

If you're *really* worried about it, get a letter from your employer, but don't offer it up unless they ask or if they seem to be hesitant or anything. Plus, if you've had trips over there with no problem, hopefully that would continue. It seems like most people really do not have any problems but in my case, it was better to be prepared just in case. I wouldn't worry too much about it because my story tends to really be the rare side of it!

Thanks for all the replies. I'm taking over a copy of the I-129F to give to my fiance anyway - and will also take a letter from my boss saying I work where I work and am expected back on date x - some paystub receipts, the return ticket (well, the email confirmation thereof - does anyone have real tickets anymore?). I hope that's enough if there's a problem. I hope there isn't a problem to begin with. i don't think there should be - but I'm not the British government.

You have plenty of evidence and you're doing absolutely nothing remotely illegal. So relax and have fun!

(I've entered the UK once as a girlfriend and once as a fiancee. Both times I had a student visa and they only asked about that, but still it was really easy.)

Last year UK immigration passed a law that you cannot marry in that country without a fiance visa. They offer no method of adjusting through marriage (like AOS) either.

We have no intention of marrying there since we're processing the K1 here in the US.

I never had an issue when we were going through the process...

They usually ask a few Q's-business or pleasure, how long will you be staying?, and maybe where will you be staying...I never said I was visiting my fiance or husband as it would be too much information to volunteer. If asked, I would tell-but better to keep matters simple. It is a good idea, however, to bring copies of your I-129 just in case....

Have a fine trip !!

I know that.

But if the purpose of your visit, if asked, is 'to visit my boyfriend' the border patrol knows you can't immigrate by 'visiting and marrying'.

If you get what I'm saying............

I see what you're saying - but I don't think the inability to marry to immigrate would make them feel any better. Regardless of whether I would think I could adjust status in the UK or not, overstaying there is as frowned upon as overstaying here - so I believe the risks and presumptions border agents would apply would be the same.

I'm not terribly worried. Just looking for anecdotal evidence either way.

I think the main thing is that you have plenty of evidence that you plan to return back to the US. I had a lot of trouble the very first time I came to England. I was coming for a visit for 7 weeks, had quit my job, didn't have anything on me showing that I planned to go back to the US. I was so naive and was almost denied entry. Since then, I have entered a few times and am pretty much always hassled. This last time I went back to Colorado for Christmas, I decided to apply for a visitors visa (although technically I don't need one) just to be safe. The immigration officer still asked me loads of questions but I am here in Leeds and can stay until the end of June. Now only if we could get Rich's K-1 by then!

Good luck everyone!

I posted earlier and this topic and just wanted to update you guys.

I flew from Chicago to Dublin then onto Manchester. I only had a one-way ticket and my only proof of returning home was our NOA2.

When I got to Dublin she asked me what the purpose of my trip to Ireland was, I said, I'm connecting to Manchester, actually. She checked my landing card where I had written that and said, "Oh right. Are you studying there?" (as I had put student as my occupation). I said, "No, I'm just visiting." She didn't ask how long I was planning to stay although I did hear her ask people in front of me.

That was it and she stamped my passport. I think the reason is that I always fly through Dublin (although I once flew straight into Heathrow and didn't have any problems) and so when they ask me my purpose, it's always "Catching a connecting flight." Perhaps the Irish could care less if people remain in England or not.

Hope this is encouring.

Best of luck.

I'm taking a trip over there and will arrive on 1 March. I am a bit worried because I will be visiting my fiance this time instead of my boyfriend. All I will have to prove I am not staying there is my return ticket and a letter from my employer saying when I am expected back. I won't have any NOA's to show since after we get married in the United States we will be getting a visa for me to move over there. I remember last time out I was asked more questions than usual and was asked to see my return ticket as well as being asked how much money I was bringing in with me (that may be everywhere though... not sure) so I have a feeling this was notated and will happen again this time out

Hope I don't panic and start to cry hahaha!

Seeing this topic always gives me a pain in my stomach because the very first time I went over, I was detained for 9 hours or so, and locked in this room with all the other immigration detainees. There was communication between my mom and the head CO at the embassy, talk of 'possibly needing a lawyer' and all sorts of hoo ha. they wouldn't let me fly home, which I requested.

It all did get resolved, and I suppose in hindsight there were a few red flags...I was coming on a 6 mo ticket (which is allowed, but whatever), I had no ties to the US really, I had a brand new passport (my old one expired and it needed reissuing), and I apparantly didn't have enough 'cash' on me (I had $300, but 4 platinum cards and my atm card...who travels with boatloads of cash on their person?), and 3 full sized suitcases...all marked 'heavy'

They said I was trying to 'sneak' in....I told them, with 4 inch heels, a purple fur cuffed black leather jacket, a 'yield to the princess' t-shirt, and all my luggage, that I apparantly wasn't doing a very good job of blending, lol.

Hey, i just had a thought...wonder if that co is still there? My mom had gotten patched through to his house phone cos he wasn't at work...wonder if he remembers me? lol

Just to update: I went and had no troubles getting in - though I did have copies of all the I-129F papers and the NOA1 and a letter from my employer with me, just in case.

I went up to passport control, handed over my passport - the lady said "what's the purpose of your visit?" I answered, "holiday." She asked what I was planning to do - I said, hopefully, finally see more of the museums in London (which was a true statement). She looked at all the stamps into Heathrow on the passport pages and then asked what the address I had written on the landing card was - I said my fiance's house. She asked if he was British. I said yes. She flipped through the pages some more. So I started to say "but we're going to live in the US and -"

She basically waived off the rest of my sentence and said, no, no, fine (in a way that implied, really, stop talking), stamped my book with leave to enter for 6 months, yadda yadda, and I was in.

So, nothing to worry about - but I'm still glad I had documents with me, just in case. Peace of mind was worth the extra hand luggage weight . . . .

By the way - regarding the horror story above from Lisa D -that's just more reason to have the proof, as she learned in a really crappy way.

If anyone is in the UK and has watched or can watch that reality show "Airport" - it can be instructive as they generally profile a story about an immigration officer giving someone a hard time (earned or not). One thing I found fascinating (aside from confirmation that I shouldn't direct ire solely at US border control), was the level to which some passangers were scrutinized. They went through EVERYTHING - and I mean everything - each scrap of paper in a person's luggage, each document in briefcases, etc. They checked diary pages (UK diary - like planners, as I'd call them). So don't write "May 19: begin new life in the UK" if you're entering on the VWP, etc. It was nuts what some people wrote down . . . . they totally hung themselves.

Great news that you got in fine...congrats!



They went through everything of mine with a fine tooth comb. Even individual pictures.

I was trying to be helpful, so I was all 'that's my mom and dad' 'that's blah blah blah' to which she SNAPPED at me (I had a really rude lady, btw) and she says

'i think i can figure out what each picture is'

and I kid you not, the VERY next picture.....she said

'what's this?'

Glad you got in ok!

Before I moved over here and my fiance would visit me in the UK, he never had ANY trouble thank god.

However when I visited the US, geez I always had the hardest time!

I like Lisa had everything looked over with a fine toothcomb, whos this in this picture? whos this phone number? what does this note mean? It was terrible. Was told again and again why was I lying, shouting yelling, throwing my underwear around! I was threatend to be put in a jail cell, blah blah.

I visited 9 times before coming in with my K-1 and bout 2 of those 9 times were easy and no hassle, the others were terrible!

That is craziness!!! Thank goodness Paul and I have never had any problems coming to the US/UK. Haha except for the time Paul had his luggage searched after having a stopover in Amsterdam. Of course that was the time he brought some "unmentionables" after saying he was visiting friends!!! HAHA, he just got an amused look from customs and then waved on. I wonder what it is that red flags some people and why they have to be so mean about it!!! Wishful thinking that everyone could be civil Just remember my mantra: minimalist packing...

Well heres the crazy part --

The last time I visited before I came over with visa in hand, I didn't pack much because of this, or wrote anything down or ANYTHING, cause I KNEW what they would be like.

I got accused of already having stuff in the US and therefore living there already therefore staying past the 90 days!

Oh my goodness that is ridiculous!!! Did they let you the last time eventually? My SO is doing the same thing in a few months.

The last time wasn't quite so horrid, I just played really dumb to the guy and he got nicer!

Hi just got back from visiting my wife in London. When asked at heathrow my purpose I just smiled and said I was visiting my wife, she is a British citizen. He then asked how long I was staying and I said sadly I would be leaving in four days. He just smiled and said have a nice visit! On returning to O'hare I asked the customs agent about my wife coming to visit me while we were in the visa process. The young lady was very helpful and even went and checked with her supervisor even though they were really backed up! The answer she gave me was to first and most importantly be honest and forthright that you are coming in to see your husband and that you are in the process of getting permanant resident status. Secondly be able to prove that you have a return ticket and third DO NOT cop an "attitude" with the customs agent. I have read other people on VJ say don't offer any more information than they ask for, just say your visiting, but I think she was saying if you tell them up front in a courteous manner what your situation is and give any evidence of your intent to return you won't have a problem. As always it's a prbably a good idea to have plenty of evidence just be pleasent and don't give them any reason to believe you're not being honest!

Just realized I hadn't posted my entry experience. sorry!

well I didn't sleep but 30 minutes of my 9 hr flight so I was a little by the time I got to passport control. When it was my turn I swear I was just answering the questions all wrong at first (and realizing it after I said it!!!) and she was going to think I was a dummy!

*all smiles, I hand over my American passport*
Passport control lady: And where are you coming from dear?
Me: America *in my head I hear Homer Simpson saying D'OH!*
PCL: No I mean where from, what city.
Me: *blushing* Houston.
PCL: Business or pleasure?
Me: Pleasure
PCL: What is your business here?
Me: Visiting my fiance for a bit.
PCL: Oh really? Were is he from?
Me: Here *D'OH! SAY HE'S BRITISH, DUMMY!!*
PCL: Is he British?
Me: Yes.
PCL: When will you be getting married and where?
Me: In Texas and in October.
PCL: Oh how lovely, have you got everything sorted then? do you have a dress yet? Oh weddings are lots of planning!! but so exciting!!! GIIIIRRRLLLLL!!!
Me: *did she just say, 'Giiiirrrrlllll!!'?* We have some of it planned, we still have a ways to go yet.
PCL: *looks all excited*
me:
PCL: Where will you be planning to live after the wedding? Will you be living here or over there?
Me: We will be getting a visa for me to come over here at first, later we may move back to America.
PCL: Oh so you already know about how to get a marriage visa then?
Me: Yes, We will be applying to the embassy in Chicago.
PCL: May I see your return ticket?
Me: I don't have a return ticket exactly since it was an e-ticket but here's a print out of my itinerary...
PCL: lovely. *looks over, stamps passport OVER ANOTHER ENTRY STAMP I HAD IN THERE ALREADY TO ROMANIA!!!, stares at it for a bit, closes it and hands it over.
Me:
PCL: Enjoy your stay and congratulations!!!

easy, and here I was all nervous that I was going to be asked a million questions and that I was going to cry!

I'm the USC and i'll be flying into gatwick on march 30th to stay with pete and then we'll both be coming back to north carolina on april 10th. I'm not nervous about getting in over there but it scares me to death to think about him going through customs in charlotte. Has anyone ever had any problems there?