I have just been to the UK for a month long visit to see my boyfriend from Dec 27 2013-Jan 18th 2014. I have been 3 other times previously and studied there in sept 2011-dec 2011. I am planning on going back in a month to stay with my boyfriend until April. I have bought a return ticket and will have my itinerary with my when I get to customs in the UK--but I was wondering if you think they will give me a hard time being that I was just in the UK for a month previously? I also was denied a student tier 4 visa when I first applied in 2011 because I accidentally failed to send one of the items of paperwork (this didn't matter because I only stayed and studied there for 3 months anyway). Do you think there is a chance I could be denied entry? Is there any other paperwork I should bring with me to help me get past customs, or will the return ticket be enough?

If you're wondering about this then you likely know the potential answers as well as we do or better. In particular, which rules, briefly, do you feel your entry will break?

They might (or might not) ask you a lot of questions. Whether you consider that a 'hard time' - is up to you. Visiting boyfriend is often a red flag. So they may want detailed information. No one on here will know what you answer or what the immigration officer will think of your answers.

You will probably be OK -- but you might not be. Won't know for sure you are standing there at the immigration desk.

Just don't lie - answer any questions truthfully

I agree with Janis - the immigration agent might deny the OP entry based on the red flags if she doesn't give what the agent believes to be satisfactory answers. I don't think she is planning to break any rules, just that the immigration agents can deny entry to anyone.

I think that being prepared and answering the questions truthfully is pretty much all you can do. Knowing that the 3 month stay with a boyfriend will raise red flags, I think it is important to be able to show the immigration agent that you have something to return to in the US - enrollment in university and returning for the next term, a job that expects you back, or something along those lines. If you have taken a leave of absence from a job and have a letter from your employer stating when the leave ends, bring it. Have your paperwork in order - return ticket receipt, address of where you will be staying, financials, etc. Basically don't give the agent a reason to deny you on a technicality. Also, dress relatively nicely and conservatively - don't appear to be a free-spirit going where the wind takes you (ie. someone planning to work under the table and shack up with the BF indefinitely) or a naïve girl who is about to get yourself into trouble. Present yourself as a woman with her act together and be prepared to answer questions about your visit.

It's quite likely that judging from your profile and immigration history, you may get some sharp questioning at UK border. What they are worried about are: Are you trying to live using visitor leave? Will you depart in time and not overstay? Will you work illegally? They know that having a boyfriend is a strong temptation to overstay. So you need to show: strong ties in your home country, such as a job to return to (letter from employer), educational course (letter from school/college) or other responsibility like family. You also need enough funds not needing to supplement through illegal work. If you are staying with your boyfriend, you will probably need around £30 a day so around £1,000 in total (bank statement and letter of invitation). And of course a return ticket. But only show documents when asked. Don't volunteer any information not directly requested. Dress tidily, smile, be polite and answer truthfully. While this doesn't guarantee hassle-free entry, you stand a good chance of being approved.

Besides answering truthfully, I think useful information is just answer the question, no extraneous information. Saying too much is a giveaway that you're worried and they become interested in why. So, briefly & truthfully.

It would be a good idea to write down your answers to typical questions and memorise them.
How long are you staying.
Where are you staying.
What you are going to do in UK.
Do you intend to work.
Any reason why you must return home by so and so.
How much money do you have.
Is your friend a boyfriend?
Are you in a relationship?
Are you planning to get married or give notice for marriage?

IME UK border officials are the toughest in Europe, especially if red flags are raised.

As one border official told me after looking all through my van I was driving - the only reason Hitler didn't invade England is that he could not get by the red tape.

Good luck but you may want to contact the British Consulate nearest you to ask questions?

>>Good luck but you may want to contact the British Consulate nearest you to ask questions?<<

What questions could those be? Nothing any Consulate can tell her will help, plus most don't respond to that sort of inquiry.

I think you may well get questions from Immigration.

Besides a return ticket I would be sure you have:

1) proof you can support yourself - bank account or CC info
2) reason you will be going back to US - a job, school or apt lease
3) proof you have health insurance and will not have to be a charge on their health system

"the only reason Hitler didn't invade England is that he could not get by the red tape."

It has it's benefits then.

Americans can stay up to six months in a 12 month period so I don´t initially see what you would be worried about if " the three other times previously" don´t add up to more than 180 days in a 12 month period.

At least THAT is what I have alwyas understood. As long as you have means and insurance and return ticket.. should be OK .

"Americans can stay up to six months in a 12 month period "

Wrong.

Americans have no rights of any kind to enter Britain.

They - like all other non-EU/EEA visitors - may enter Britain ONLY if an immigration official is satisfied they will not break the terms of their admission. To satisfy himself, he will very likely ask potential visitors the questions Alec has outlined, unless (as happens to most respectable-looking middle aged visitors) his instincts are that they can be relied on.

What IS the case, though, is that Americans may not stay here more than six months in a 12 month period without a visa authorising the lengthier stays. That is a completely different rule from the one lincasanova has made up.

Make sure you have nothing on your smart phone, tablet or laptop that raises a red flag or contradicts the info. you give immigration officials. No letter of resignation from your job, or photos of a field of marijuana plants. I'm no immigration expert but I've learned a thing or two watching Border Patrol on Canadian TV!

>>Make sure you have nothing on your smart phone, tablet or laptop that raises a red flag or contradicts the info. you give immigration officials.<<

Indeed. I've seen similar TV programmes in the UK and the person in trouble with the immigration officers without fail has an incriminating diary in her luggage which contains an entry along the lines of "March 2nd - time to start new life in England!!!"

so.. I guess my "rule" is incorrect? Americans cannot stay for 6 months in a 12 month period ( assuming the im. officer likes his proven requirements?

sorry if my wording was CONFUSING. Of course nobody can go anywhere if the im officer doesn't approve of your paperwork or believe you.. That's a GIVEN in ANY country, whether you are holding a visa the Embassy gave you or NOT.

so so sorry for the confusion I must have caused everyone. Not my intention to MAKE UP RULES.. I'll copy and paste from website next time to be certain.

Here's from a visa agency.. MUCH more clear than my rubbish.. eh?

"A visa is not required for a stay of up to 6 months. Traveler must be in possession of a passport valid for 6 months beyond stay and a round-trip airline ticket."

and this one from the UK website which earlier stated if from the USA normally you do not need a visa for stays under 6 months


"......This page contains information about the documents that you may want to provide to support your application to come to the UK as a general visitor.

If you apply for a visa, you should provide these documents with your visa application. If you travel to the UK without a visa, you should bring them with you so that you can show them to our officers at the border.

You should provide as many relevant documents as you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK. If you do not provide them, we may refuse your application.

You must decide which documents will best support your application. We advise you to consider providing documents that contain:

information about you
information about your finances and employment
your accommodation and travel details
information about your visit to the UK..."

hope this is clear. good luck. also sorry again for the confusion. hope I have cleared u how I came to that conclusion. Certainly was not trying to confuse anybody..

>>>I'm no immigration expert but I've learned a thing or two watching Border Patrol on Canadian TV!<<<

LOL I've been watching "Border Security" too lately. I had no idea they could look at your cell phone. Police need a search warrant but border security do not. It's surprising how many people they catch out with this and turn back at the border.

That being said, they also get suspicious if the phone appears 'wiped' and has nothing in the way of texts etc on it at all. And don't forget... your phone may be tied to an online email account too (not to mention free storage services, facebook etc etc) ... untie this also or all your emails, whether they have any bearing on the trip or not, can be seen and read by the immigration people.

Thanks for all the answers. I certainly am not planning on overstaying past my return date and I don't plan on working or doing anything else that could break any rules. I just wanted to get a feel for what documents/paperwork I might need to bring just in case. I also just want to be prepared if I am likely to face much scrutiny. Thanks again!

I know you don't intend to break any rules, but it's rather the question of how an immigration officer you happen to meet will think about you and come to their own conclusion. So take our advice in the spirit it's intended, and prepare for your next UK trip accordingly.

As a young woman, I used to get grilled about my yearly visits to London by the border police and visiting a boyfriend will raise a red flag. Just have return ticket, hotel reservations with you.

After the grilling I've received from the UK officers,I was shocked when the Spanish border police just stamped by passport and waved me through.