Chances of my Girlfriend Getting Refused Entry?
Oct 10th, 2013, 10:45 AM
#1
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Chances of my Girlfriend Getting Refused Entry?
I'm probably just being paranoid but I want to make sure. My girlfriend is a Japanese national (they don't need a Visa) but is studying in US. She is only here for 5 days and has a return ticket and an i-20 form. She will be staying at my place and under the impression of 'general visiting/friends' etc. and she'll be providing my address on the landing form.
Is there anything to be worried about her getting possibly refused entry?
Is there anything to be worried about her getting possibly refused entry?
Oct 10th, 2013, 11:08 AM
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Oct 10th, 2013, 11:41 AM
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Obviously the difference is that she WILL have a definitive return ticket and mentioning me as a "boyfriend" will be avoided. She is generally here on visiting friends purpose, and for 5 days!
Oct 10th, 2013, 12:37 PM
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She needs to be prepared with the specific address at which she will be staying - and possibly phone number as well. Better if she doesn't have to rummage around her purse to find it.
(As an obvious adult business person I have been asked several time for the name and address of the hotel I would be staying at.)
(As an obvious adult business person I have been asked several time for the name and address of the hotel I would be staying at.)
Oct 10th, 2013, 01:51 PM
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It's quite likely that the immigration officer will ask her if you are her boyfriend, or the catch-all 'Are you in a relationship?' She must answer yes. If she says no, and they find out you are after all her boyfriend (they are trained to get truth out of people), she is very likely to be banned for lying to an immigration officer. Acknowledging you as boyfriend doesn't mean refusal, but she just has to convince the official that she will only be in UK for 5 days, won't overstay and will return to US to resume her studies. Get a letter from her school confirming when she is expected back. Your bank statement showing healthy balance will help with financial questions. And make sure you are contactable by mobile.
Oct 10th, 2013, 02:03 PM
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Why would they ask her if she is in a relationship? It should be irrelevant, right? What are the chances they ask her that? What is the best to convince the IO that she won't overstay (which she clearly won't be!)? And if the worst was to happen, how would I find out the result?
Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks for the feedback.
Oct 10th, 2013, 02:11 PM
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They can ask anything they want to, pretty much. And the reason for that particular question should be fairly ovbious: people enter other countries all the time intending to acquire citizenship by marrying someone who's already a citizen.
You'd find out if she didn't show up, or if she called you.
You'd find out if she didn't show up, or if she called you.
Oct 10th, 2013, 02:21 PM
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They ask relationship question because you are more likely to want to stay together with your boy/girlfriend than just a friend, and also there is a greater chance that you will overstay and get a job illegally. UK suffers from a lot of illegal immigration and authorities are clamping down hard, and yes, that includes young Japanese.
Oct 10th, 2013, 02:25 PM
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Not a chance with staying illegally though when you are a student in US and have all the documents to prove it. AS WELL AS a return ticket. Is there much suspicion with that? Her intentions are to not illegally immigrate, she is genuinely staying here for 5 days on a visit to her boyfriend.
Oct 10th, 2013, 02:32 PM
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Yes, that's what she will say, but will they believe her?
Since it's very difficult to stay long-term in UK to be with your boy/girlfriend, young people often use the visitor route, and people have ditched their I-20 etc AND return ticket in order to be with their lover as long as they can. So the immigration needs to be convinced beyond reasonable doubt that she is telling the truth and there is little risk of overstaying.
Since it's very difficult to stay long-term in UK to be with your boy/girlfriend, young people often use the visitor route, and people have ditched their I-20 etc AND return ticket in order to be with their lover as long as they can. So the immigration needs to be convinced beyond reasonable doubt that she is telling the truth and there is little risk of overstaying.
Oct 10th, 2013, 02:35 PM
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Exams she has to do? I have exams/Uni also. It's her midterm break so it's a small vacation etc etc. Are they really THIS strict these days? Especially on someone that's staying for 5 days, not even that 4.5 days.
Oct 10th, 2013, 02:44 PM
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Yes they are. Young people visiting their lover throw up all sorts of red flags and she should expect some sharp interrogation, maybe conducted in a separate interview room. Yes she has a course to return to and exams to take, but how are they to know that she isn't about to ditch it all in order to be with someone she is in love with? I know of numerous young people from all over the world who have been denied entry and put on the next flight back because the UK immigration just didn't buy their story, and they are entitled to turn people away on their own judgement and on balance of probabilities.
