USC Visitng Me, Surprising outcome

[Jakey-Matey 0]

Hello all.

Not last Saturday but the last, my fiancee (the USC) visited me in the UK, intending for a 6 month visit.

I arrived at the airport at 9:00 my time at London Gatwick airport, and her flight was due in for 9:30.

I was waiting for her at the gate, as hordes of people came out of the baggage collection area to leave the airport.

I kept waiting, eager to see my love come around the corner, but after 1 hour, there was still no sign.

After 1 hour and 30minutes, I went to Customer Services and asked what was going on, they contacted Immigration and informed me that Immigration was holding her there for further questioning.

She had brought ALL the documents and proof she would of needed to get by easily, especially as she has never left the US before, no criminal record, nothing which would of affected her at the POE, but this is the FIRST ever time I have heard of a USC being held by UK immigration.

The Immigration people called me and asked me several questions including:

- How did you meet?

- When did you meet?

- Do you have a job?

- Where do you live?

- Have you filed for any Visa?

- How much money do you have?

- Will you support her whilst she stays in this country?

The list goes on and I found out later she was asked those same questions before me, and they were comparing our stories together.

After 4 hours of waiting at the airport, upset, scared and worried that I would not be able to see my fiancee that day, Immigration finally called and said that she would be with me in about 10minutes.

And 5minutes later, I saw her come out of the baggage claim area, I ran up to her and hugged her close.

Although the Immigration officer PREFERRED that she would stay in the UK for 3 months, he did stamp her for 6.

She would not of got through if she didn't bring the following:

- A copy of the NOA1

- A copy of the whole I-129F package (We did not have the NOA2 at the time, but after I booked her flight, we got the NOA2 notice online)

- The IO made her get onto the USCIS website and show that we were approved for the NOA2 (So keep your receipt number ready and remebered!)

- Since we have been together in real, we have made a scrapbook of eachother with tons of pictures during the timeline of us being together, and this really did help support our case about how this was only for us to be together, not as an intending immigrant.

I advise that you try your best to not do this, which unfortunatly she did:

- Bring too many clothes (she brought two big bags full of clothes, hair stuff, etc)

This is only OUR experience with UK Immigration, others might of had it worse or better, but be prepared if you are a USC wanting to get through UK Immigration.

Thanks!

[SusieK 3]

Hello all.

Not last Saturday but the last, my fiancee (the USC) visited me in the UK, intending for a 6 month visit.

I arrived at the airport at 9:00 my time at London Gatwick airport, and her flight was due in for 9:30.

I was waiting for her at the gate, as hordes of people came out of the baggage collection area to leave the airport.

I kept waiting, eager to see my love come around the corner, but after 1 hour, there was still no sign.

After 1 hour and 30minutes, I went to Customer Services and asked what was going on, they contacted Immigration and informed me that Immigration was holding her there for further questioning.

She had brought ALL the documents and proof she would of needed to get by easily, especially as she has never left the US before, no criminal record, nothing which would of affected her at the POE, but this is the FIRST ever time I have heard of a USC being held by UK immigration.

The Immigration people called me and asked me several questions including:

- How did you meet?

- When did you meet?

- Do you have a job?

- Where do you live?

- Have you filed for any Visa?

- How much money do you have?

- Will you support her whilst she stays in this country?

The list goes on and I found out later she was asked those same questions before me, and they were comparing our stories together.

After 4 hours of waiting at the airport, upset, scared and worried that I would not be able to see my fiancee that day, Immigration finally called and said that she would be with me in about 10minutes.

And 5minutes later, I saw her come out of the baggage claim area, I ran up to her and hugged her close.

Although the Immigration officer PREFERRED that she would stay in the UK for 3 months, he did stamp her for 6.

She would not of got through if she didn't bring the following:

- A copy of the NOA1

- A copy of the whole I-129F package (We did not have the NOA2 at the time, but after I booked her flight, we got the NOA2 notice online)

- The IO made her get onto the USCIS website and show that we were approved for the NOA2 (So keep your receipt number ready and remebered!)

- Since we have been together in real, we have made a scrapbook of eachother with tons of pictures during the timeline of us being together, and this really did help support our case about how this was only for us to be together, not as an intending immigrant.

I advise that you try your best to not do this, which unfortunatly she did:

- Bring too many clothes (she brought two big bags full of clothes, hair stuff, etc)

This is only OUR experience with UK Immigration, others might of had it worse or better, but be prepared if you are a USC wanting to get through UK Immigration.

Thanks!

Change scene around in reverse and she probably could have had the same scene - glad she got through mate, and gl on your journey!!

Cheers

Susie

[Krikit 1,166]

Phew. Glad they let her through finally. Same thing happened to my Cousin from Vancouver. We were all attending a party in Cheshire for my Uncle's 80th birthday. My sister and I were at the Manchester airport waiting to pick her up. And waiting. And waiting. Turns out Cousin was being held by Immigration at Heathrow because they were suspicious she wasn't going to leave the country. Might have been the ton of clothes she had with her and the fact that she mentioned she'd be visiting her boyfriend. Silly girl.

[Cassie 8]

Jerry got questioned (although not quite as extensively as your fiance did) the first time he came to visit me, and the officer came out to the waiting area and questioned me in front of everyone to confirm his story. It's a bit freaky.

[pushbrk 13,639]

I suspect the difficulties began as a result of how she answered the initial questions upon arrival. For instance, "What it the purpose of the visit?", "To visit my fiance." They're going to want to rule out intent to circumvent UK immigration laws, just as the US would. Asking you about your ability to support her, is a big clue, that's what was in their mind. The bags of clothes and hair stuff is perfectly appropriate for a six month stay but it's also all the airline would have allowed, even if she were immigrating.

[lilysidiq 0]

Hi,

Thanks for posting this, and I am happy she got through in the end.

Sidiq got stopped last time he came to visit me in the UK in July, and questioned for about two hours about his intentions here, his background, and why he was coming back when he had last visited three months before. They let him in, but like you, I was surprised by him being stopped, and its good to let other people know this can happen.

Thanks also for the advice to bring the NOA1 etc, as I am hoping if he gets stopped when we return for this Christmas that will appease the immigration officers, and I had forgotten to remind him!

Thanks

Lily

[caybee 21]

A friend had this happen, though he was neither engaged nor innocent. He went to the UK right after college, intending to stay a while, but he didn't have much money, so they assumed he planned to work illegally. He also brought with him a book that he knew was banned in the UK at that time. They guessed he intended to sell it. They were correct on both counts. He was on the next plane back to the US. The fact that he told immigration that "they don't ban books in my country" didn't seem to help his case.

Sounds like immigration did what our own might do under the circumstances, just making sure of your fiancée's intentions. Glad you had everything in order and they let her on through.

[Brian & Kathy 0]

Wow, that must have been nerve racking. I'm glad it was all streightened out though.

I've visited Kathy in China several times and it has been very smooth getting into the country so far. I imagined going through chinese customs would be scary, with questions, uniformed men with guns and inspection of your luggage, even directly infront of you. None of this was the case though. I've gone through 3 times so far, and it seems pretty easy. They just seem to match the names and faces to the passport and visa and send you along.

In fact, I'm asked a lot more questions when I'm coming back to the US and I'm a USC! The most recent trip back to the US, I went through US customs in Vancouver. I was questioned by a lady and I honestly could NOT understand what she was saying. Her accent was deep south or something, and she was sluring her words so badly I couldn't make sense of it. I had her repeat a couple questions 3 times, becoming more nervous that I couldn't understand her. Only once of my 3 trips, did someone say welcome back to the US, and that seemed to be a fluke. Maybe it was his first day. haha.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

So glad she made it through!

Enjoy the time together

[msu17 0]

Jeeze thats sucky!!! I mean they let in how many illegal immigrants, give them gov. housing etc but your fiance who has tons of evidence that she's going home gets harrased . Thanks for the heads up, we're heading over in 2 weeks for X-mas.

[bora bora 1]

Jeeze thats sucky!!! I mean they let in how many illegal immigrants, give them gov. housing etc but your fiance who has tons of evidence that she's going home gets harrased . Thanks for the heads up, we're heading over in 2 weeks for X-mas.

It's not like they "let" them in....

[*julez* 124]

I have actaully heard similar stories several times, including from a young lady I sat with on the plane to the UK last time I visited. So, I'm not really surprised at all. Like visiting the US, its a privilege to be allowed to visit the UK. They must feel confident that you don't intend to stay forever. So, its a good thing that she was prepared for questioning. may have taken a bit of time, but all's well that ends well! Enjoy your time together.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

That must have been so nerve-wracking. Good she went through and now you have months together!!! enjoy!

[SSAH 0]

I have been to London 3 times this year and each time debated whether to mention I was visiting my boyfriend and then later fiance. Each time I end up saying I'm here for a vacation, which is entirely true as well. Plus, I always brought with me a copy of the NOA1, which is all I have right now, just in case they wanted proof that I was definitely going back home. Of course, my trip(s) was only for, at the most, one month. Sometimes they did want to see my return flight information. I hope to go and be in the country when he has his interview and bring him home, so there is likely to be another trip to the UK in the next few months.. hopefully soon!

But like someone else mentioned, I usually have more probing questions upon return to the states. Its easier going into the UK than to come home!

[rainmaykr 0]

I have been to London 3 times this year and each time debated whether to mention I was visiting my boyfriend and then later fiance. Each time I end up saying I'm here for a vacation, which is entirely true as well. Plus, I always brought with me a copy of the NOA1, which is all I have right now, just in case they wanted proof that I was definitely going back home. Of course, my trip(s) was only for, at the most, one month. Sometimes they did want to see my return flight information. I hope to go and be in the country when he has his interview and bring him home, so there is likely to be another trip to the UK in the next few months.. hopefully soon!

But like someone else mentioned, I usually have more probing questions upon return to the states. Its easier going into the UK than to come home!

Be prepared to stay a while after the interview. Time from the interview to actually receiving the visa isn't overnight, mine took a while.

But good luck!

I was very shocked too at how the above poster was treated at the airport - didn't know this happened.