Stuck in the UK

[Adriene H 89]

Hiya,

I've been living in England with my husband

since January of 2011 on an expired 6-month

tourist visa but things have been going

sour between us in recent months.

I'm not allowed to work here so I have no

personal income of my own, we just live

on my husband's income.

I don't know where I would get enough money

for airfare so I'm wondering if I managed

to contact a US military base here in the

UK and told them I was in trouble and need help

... Would I be able to fly home on a military

flight for cheap or free?

Thanks, A

[Adriene H 89]

Hiya,

I've been living in England with my husband

since January of 2011 on an expired 6-month

tourist visa but things have been going

sour between us in recent months.

I'm not allowed to work here so I have no

personal income of my own, we just live

on my husband's income.

I don't know where I would get enough money

for airfare so I'm wondering if I managed

to contact a US military base here in the

UK and told them I was in trouble and need help

... Would I be able to fly home on a military

flight for cheap or free?

Thanks, A

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

No, you can't. If there are compelling reasons you need to move back to the USA, the embassy may make you a loan, but you'd need really strong reason (abuse, emergent situation in the USA). Do you have no family or friends that could loan you the money, or even your husband since you do not get on anymore?

[Adriene H 89]

Nothing like that really applies to me.

He's not very nice to me but I wouldn't

go so far to call it abuse.

He doesn't make much money. He gets paid

weekly but there's not much left after he

pays rent and groceries and heating. Usually

he only has about £40 left over in cash.

Neither one of us is that close to our families.

For sure not close enough to ask them for such

a large chunk of money.

But a friend of mine in California said she'd

heard of people abroad in trouble being able

to hop on a military flight back to the US for

free or very cheap (like $100), so I was looking

into that. She told me to explain to them that

I have no money, and that I'm here illegally,

and that my husband's not very nice to me, and

that they should be able to help me, an American

citizen, get back to the USA.

[Oksana & Max 94]

Nothing like that really applies to me.

He's not very nice to me but I wouldn't

go so far to call it abuse.

He doesn't make much money. He gets paid

weekly but there's not much left after he

pays rent and groceries and heating. Usually

he only has about £40 left over in cash.

Neither one of us is that close to our families.

For sure not close enough to ask them for such

a large chunk of money.

But a friend of mine in California said she'd

heard of people abroad in trouble being able

to hop on a military flight back to the US for

free or very cheap (like $100), so I was looking

into that. She told me to explain to them that

I have no money, and that I'm here illegally,

and that my husband's not very nice to me, and

that they should be able to help me, an American

citizen, get back to the USA.

Try to contact US Embassy, they might be able to assist you. It is worth a shot.

[photomile 101]

The best thing for you to do in this instance is contact the US Embassy in London. They can advise you of the best course of action.

Their emergency number is 020-7499-9000

Edited April 24, 2012 by photomile

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Multiple posts on the same topic have been merged together in one thread and duplicate posts removed. Please do not post the same topic in more than one forum.

[AF-Wife 181]

contact the embassy, but that's about all you can do. the military will probably not able to help you. I've never heard of anything like the story that your friend told you. only ID card holders are allowed to fly on a military planes and celebs, if they are en route for the military.

I would, even if you aren't close, contact your family. explain them you are in need.

[Stu4Lee 66]

How desperate are you to get back?

No cash, no-one to borrow from?

Hand yourself in to UK Border Agency, let them arrange a flight.

[AF-Wife 181]

How desperate are you to get back?

No cash, no-one to borrow from?

Hand yourself in to UK Border Agency, let them arrange a flight.

great idea! since she's in the country illegally, they will deport her. for free. (I know it sounds weird, but it's a free plane ticket back to the US!)

[Adriene H 89]

great idea! since she's in the country illegally, they will deport her. for free. (I know it sounds weird, but it's a free plane ticket back to the US!)

I was hoping to spare the trauma of being deported

but I might have to grin and bear it

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Because you're an overstay, it's actually administrative removal (not the same as deportation). You will be able to petition for a spousal visa to the UK in the future (if you patch things up with your husband) if you have been administratively removed, as opposed to deported when you can't get a visa to the UK. The question you need to ask yourself is if you are placed in a detention facility prior to deportation, can you handle that? It's not a given that you will be but it's worth bearing in mind.

Better to investigate voluntary departure, which may be an option for you. http://www.islington.gov.uk/publicrecords/documents/HealthandSocialCare/Pdf/voluntary_departure_guidance.pdf Also, consider a visit to a Citizens' Advice Bureau, who may be able to advise you further.

[cerebus407 16]

The military is not an airline and does not fly U.S. citizens around unless you are current or former military. The U.S. Embassy can give you loan to get back to the US. You will need to demonstrate that you are destitute and that friends/family in the US cannot/will not give you funds. Once that is done, it takes about a week and you'll be on your way. Your passport will be canceled and you will need to repay the loan. A new passport will not be issued until the loan is repaid.

Talk to the American Citizen Services section of the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

[Noel194 53]

If you are not close to your family where will you go when you get off the plane in the US??

[Adriene H 89]

If you are not close to your family where will you go when you get off the plane in the US??

That I don't know yet either. Probably sleep on a

friend's couch for awhile. Honestly, I don't know.

I'll go back to California which is where I was

living and working before I went to England.

First things first though. I've got to get back to the USA.

Edited April 28, 2012 by Adriene H