World traveler arriving on a one-way to Luton airport
Feb 19th, 2008, 03:08 AM
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World traveler arriving on a one-way to Luton airport
World traveler arriving on a one-way to Luton airport
I've heard reports of immigration officers in the UK denying access to travelers regardless of their passports. Ive read posts on this forum and others regarding this important issue.
My situation is as follows:
I have a CDN passport (even though I was born in Iran, and it says that in my CDN passport).
I'm flying in on a one-way ticket (on a cheap discount airline, ryanair) from Marrakesh, Morocco.
My previous passport was stolen in Mexico last year, so my new passport is pretty empty and it was issued by CDN embassy in Mexico city (and it says that in the Passport).
I only have a couple stamps in my passport (from Morocco, EU, and USA). I haven't worked since I left Canada 3 years ago. I've been living on life savings, a large bank account, and using websites like couchsurfing, and hospitalty club (therefore avoiding the need for hotels). I use public transport, and rideshare (instead of trains, or bus networks), therefore enabling me to spend no more than 10 pounds or so/ day.
I don't have a physical credit card with me though I use a family credit card number to make purchases online.
I don't have a bank statement, as I do everything online; and my account usually has a few hundred dollars in it at all times. I have an international debit card handy.
I'm coming in on a one-way ticket because I want to travel extensively in England, and Wales until I'm good and ready to leave (probably 2 months after arriving). Canadians are entitled to up to 6 months of tourism time in the Uk (officialY). The immigration officer then decided how many months to grant the Cdn visitor. I need at least 2 months. How do I get that?
I want to buy my exit ticket when I am done with England. I want to spend At least 2 months in england. I plan to fly to Norway after that. I'm planning to fly on Norweigan airline out of London again so I want to buy the ticket later, not now.
However, if it's better, I can purchase the ticket to Norway here in Morocco, and print out the e-ticket and bring it with me to Luton airport when I arrive in London next month if it will help me avoid a lengthy ordeal in the immigration waiting room, or heaven forbid refusal and deportation back to Morocco (even though I am Canadian), I don't want to go back to morocco or Canada.
What do you think will happen to me at Luton?
I am young, olive skin, clean shaven, travel alone, say that I work as a freelance travel writer, and was born in Iran, though maintain Cdn citizenship.
I can either tell them I'm staying in a cheap hostel, which I won't since I have hosts lined up in london or Should i tell them about the hospitality club and my hosts (whom I've never met), and my plan of only spending a few pounds a day, and therefore don't need to prove i have thousands of pounds to verify my stay of 2 months, or should I just tell them Im staying in a cheap hostel for a week in London before moving on to other destination in England.
My purpose in england is tourism (albeit really cheap tourism). I like slow travel.
how should I word this at luton?
Thanks
I've heard reports of immigration officers in the UK denying access to travelers regardless of their passports. Ive read posts on this forum and others regarding this important issue.
My situation is as follows:
I have a CDN passport (even though I was born in Iran, and it says that in my CDN passport).
I'm flying in on a one-way ticket (on a cheap discount airline, ryanair) from Marrakesh, Morocco.
My previous passport was stolen in Mexico last year, so my new passport is pretty empty and it was issued by CDN embassy in Mexico city (and it says that in the Passport).
I only have a couple stamps in my passport (from Morocco, EU, and USA). I haven't worked since I left Canada 3 years ago. I've been living on life savings, a large bank account, and using websites like couchsurfing, and hospitalty club (therefore avoiding the need for hotels). I use public transport, and rideshare (instead of trains, or bus networks), therefore enabling me to spend no more than 10 pounds or so/ day.
I don't have a physical credit card with me though I use a family credit card number to make purchases online.
I don't have a bank statement, as I do everything online; and my account usually has a few hundred dollars in it at all times. I have an international debit card handy.
I'm coming in on a one-way ticket because I want to travel extensively in England, and Wales until I'm good and ready to leave (probably 2 months after arriving). Canadians are entitled to up to 6 months of tourism time in the Uk (officialY). The immigration officer then decided how many months to grant the Cdn visitor. I need at least 2 months. How do I get that?
I want to buy my exit ticket when I am done with England. I want to spend At least 2 months in england. I plan to fly to Norway after that. I'm planning to fly on Norweigan airline out of London again so I want to buy the ticket later, not now.
However, if it's better, I can purchase the ticket to Norway here in Morocco, and print out the e-ticket and bring it with me to Luton airport when I arrive in London next month if it will help me avoid a lengthy ordeal in the immigration waiting room, or heaven forbid refusal and deportation back to Morocco (even though I am Canadian), I don't want to go back to morocco or Canada.
What do you think will happen to me at Luton?
I am young, olive skin, clean shaven, travel alone, say that I work as a freelance travel writer, and was born in Iran, though maintain Cdn citizenship.
I can either tell them I'm staying in a cheap hostel, which I won't since I have hosts lined up in london or Should i tell them about the hospitality club and my hosts (whom I've never met), and my plan of only spending a few pounds a day, and therefore don't need to prove i have thousands of pounds to verify my stay of 2 months, or should I just tell them Im staying in a cheap hostel for a week in London before moving on to other destination in England.
My purpose in england is tourism (albeit really cheap tourism). I like slow travel.
how should I word this at luton?
Thanks
Feb 19th, 2008, 03:20 AM
#2
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One way ticket, vague plans, no home in Canada, arriving via an unusual route, a passport now issued in your home country, no visible source of income, no job.
You've got a good chance of some serious questioning and possible refusal of entry
BTW you are NOT entitled to up to 6 months as a tourist in the UK - nobody outside the EU is. Like most nations entry is determined by the guy or gal at immigration
You've got a good chance of some serious questioning and possible refusal of entry
BTW you are NOT entitled to up to 6 months as a tourist in the UK - nobody outside the EU is. Like most nations entry is determined by the guy or gal at immigration
Feb 19th, 2008, 03:31 AM
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First, you need to post this on the Thorntree site, where there's far greater expertise on this particular problem.
Second, you're NOT "entitled to up to 6 months of tourism time". You have no entitlement of any sort, except to be treated courteously. It's up to you to satisfy immigration officials you're worthy to be allowed into the country at all. And the evidence is you're not.
With a story that contradicts itself even here ("I don't have a bank statement": "I have a large bank account"
you deserve to be refused entry for insulting the immigration peole's intelligence.
Your problems will start in Morocco. You tick enough boxes for the plane to have second thoughts about boarding you, and you certainly need an onward ticket out of the UK before you get to Marrakech airport to get round that.
You also tick the boxes for any UK immigration staff at Marrakech to take you to one side (UK immigration officers are routinely posted to foreign airports with a high likelihood of generating illegal immigrants for pre-clearance) even with an onward ticket, though the Canadian passport will probably mean they'll let you on the plane
On landing in the UK, an immigration officer will need to be satisfied you won't be a call on public funds. You might smile your way through it, but you'll stick out as a high risk because you're young, Canadian, jobless and lack a real commitment to be somewhere else. Assume now that you'll be spending a lot of time being interrogated.
Where you're planning to stay is secondary. Without an onward ticket, you won't be allowed to board in Morocco. Without a clear, printed, certainly unforged, bank statement showing you've got enough money in a real bank to last you (at about £500 a week) for your time in Britain you'll be put back on the plane after several hours in an uncomfortable office.
Second, you're NOT "entitled to up to 6 months of tourism time". You have no entitlement of any sort, except to be treated courteously. It's up to you to satisfy immigration officials you're worthy to be allowed into the country at all. And the evidence is you're not.
With a story that contradicts itself even here ("I don't have a bank statement": "I have a large bank account"
you deserve to be refused entry for insulting the immigration peole's intelligence.Your problems will start in Morocco. You tick enough boxes for the plane to have second thoughts about boarding you, and you certainly need an onward ticket out of the UK before you get to Marrakech airport to get round that.
You also tick the boxes for any UK immigration staff at Marrakech to take you to one side (UK immigration officers are routinely posted to foreign airports with a high likelihood of generating illegal immigrants for pre-clearance) even with an onward ticket, though the Canadian passport will probably mean they'll let you on the plane
On landing in the UK, an immigration officer will need to be satisfied you won't be a call on public funds. You might smile your way through it, but you'll stick out as a high risk because you're young, Canadian, jobless and lack a real commitment to be somewhere else. Assume now that you'll be spending a lot of time being interrogated.
Where you're planning to stay is secondary. Without an onward ticket, you won't be allowed to board in Morocco. Without a clear, printed, certainly unforged, bank statement showing you've got enough money in a real bank to last you (at about £500 a week) for your time in Britain you'll be put back on the plane after several hours in an uncomfortable office.
Feb 19th, 2008, 04:07 AM
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As is so often the case, I agree with FlannerUK.
The only thing you could do to attract more suspicion would be to bring a Kalashnikov in your carryon.
Assuming this is a real post and not a troll, the absolute minimum you would need to be allowed into the UK would be a valid passport, a ticket onward, and evidence of sufficient money in the bank and accessible to you (debit card, ATM card)to support you at a reasonable standard during the term of your visit as limited by your onward ticket: for a 90 day stay, you could expect to need evidence of upwards of 7200 pounds.
Even with all this in your possession, you should expect to spend plenty of time being reviewed, photographed, interviewed, etc, partly because Canadian passports are reputed to be regularly forged.
There are many things in your post that raise red flags, and the authorities are very, very good at separating truth from falsehood. You will certainly be asked where you are staying. If it is with a person, not at a hotel, you will be required to give the name of the person, his address, and possibly be questioned about your relationship with them. Don't even dream about not telling the truth.
All this would be true if you were blond and blue eyed. Racial and religious prejudice is not likely to enter into it since many of the people interviewing you are very likely to be Pakistani or Indian and many of them will be muslims.
Think hard about this one!
The only thing you could do to attract more suspicion would be to bring a Kalashnikov in your carryon.
Assuming this is a real post and not a troll, the absolute minimum you would need to be allowed into the UK would be a valid passport, a ticket onward, and evidence of sufficient money in the bank and accessible to you (debit card, ATM card)to support you at a reasonable standard during the term of your visit as limited by your onward ticket: for a 90 day stay, you could expect to need evidence of upwards of 7200 pounds.
Even with all this in your possession, you should expect to spend plenty of time being reviewed, photographed, interviewed, etc, partly because Canadian passports are reputed to be regularly forged.
There are many things in your post that raise red flags, and the authorities are very, very good at separating truth from falsehood. You will certainly be asked where you are staying. If it is with a person, not at a hotel, you will be required to give the name of the person, his address, and possibly be questioned about your relationship with them. Don't even dream about not telling the truth.
All this would be true if you were blond and blue eyed. Racial and religious prejudice is not likely to enter into it since many of the people interviewing you are very likely to be Pakistani or Indian and many of them will be muslims.
Think hard about this one!
Feb 19th, 2008, 05:18 AM
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Thank you, but why do you speak to me as If Ive already lied about something?
I have no problem to show a bank statmenet but there is no way theres going to be 7200 pounds in it. Considering I dont stay in hotels, go to expensive restaurants or take taxis, I DONT see why there has to be a specific minimum amount at all (at least not in my case). There are days where I spent no money at all.
As for the place I'm staying, name, address, and relationship are clear. He is a host on a hospitality network and i will provide a name, address, and print out the email conversation to if necessary.
In the US saying I have a bank account that my mom regularly tops up was suffucient. No bank statmenent was required.
Also, Ive taken one way flights from Hong kong to LA no problem
Montreal to Barcelona no probolem (though I was questioned about it for about 3 seconds), and I said if I should buy my London-Norway ticket beforehand? If I have to do that I will.
And I will pick my immigration officer, and make sure he's a fellow Muslim.
I have no problem to show a bank statmenet but there is no way theres going to be 7200 pounds in it. Considering I dont stay in hotels, go to expensive restaurants or take taxis, I DONT see why there has to be a specific minimum amount at all (at least not in my case). There are days where I spent no money at all.
As for the place I'm staying, name, address, and relationship are clear. He is a host on a hospitality network and i will provide a name, address, and print out the email conversation to if necessary.
In the US saying I have a bank account that my mom regularly tops up was suffucient. No bank statmenent was required.
Also, Ive taken one way flights from Hong kong to LA no problem
Montreal to Barcelona no probolem (though I was questioned about it for about 3 seconds), and I said if I should buy my London-Norway ticket beforehand? If I have to do that I will.
And I will pick my immigration officer, and make sure he's a fellow Muslim.
Feb 19th, 2008, 05:57 AM
#6
"<i>And I will pick my immigration officer, and make sure he's a fellow Muslim.</i>"
You asked - were told how it will probably go - you dispute everything -- and then say YOU will choose the immigration officer!!
It don't work that way . . . . .
You asked - were told how it will probably go - you dispute everything -- and then say YOU will choose the immigration officer!!
It don't work that way . . . . .
Feb 19th, 2008, 06:11 AM
#7
I would agree with everything previously said. I had a Friend arriving from South Africa. She had a written job offer from a supply teaching agency, a home in South Africa. She had a visa allowing her to work which required me to fill out reams of paperwork virtually guaranteeing that I would support her if anything went wrong.
When she got to immigration, she was questioned at length over her intensions because immigration did not think she had enough money to keep herself for more than a few weeks.
I would think you would be very lucky to get into the UK with the plans you have laid out.
When she got to immigration, she was questioned at length over her intensions because immigration did not think she had enough money to keep herself for more than a few weeks.
I would think you would be very lucky to get into the UK with the plans you have laid out.
Feb 19th, 2008, 06:57 AM
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Ok, i have purchased an onward flight London-Bergan, Norway.
My flight to London arrives March 17
My flight to Norway leaves London April 30.
That's 6 weeks of travel in the UK (Scotland, Wales, and England).
I will have my onward ticket handy, as well as a printed Bank statement (though only a few hundred dollars will be in it). I will also print the invitation email I receive from the hospitality network. This shows who I will stay with, the address, and from what dates.
That will have to do.
My flight to London arrives March 17
My flight to Norway leaves London April 30.
That's 6 weeks of travel in the UK (Scotland, Wales, and England).
I will have my onward ticket handy, as well as a printed Bank statement (though only a few hundred dollars will be in it). I will also print the invitation email I receive from the hospitality network. This shows who I will stay with, the address, and from what dates.
That will have to do.
Feb 19th, 2008, 08:31 AM
#9
a "few hundred $$" is not enough to support a 6 week stay. Even w/o the other red flags - the immigration officers will probably assume you plan on trying to work illegally while in the UK.
Feb 19th, 2008, 08:46 AM
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We are not trying to ruin your trip; we are just trying to save you from all sorts of problems. Because what we tell you does not fit with what you want to hear, you became angry. This attitude is not going to get you any assistance here, and it is certainly a good way to find yourself persona non grata at a border. Buying the ticket on to Norway was a good first start.
The advice to look at Thorntree was good. This is a site frequented by young people on extended trips. You may find it more helpful: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa
The advice to look at Thorntree was good. This is a site frequented by young people on extended trips. You may find it more helpful: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa
Feb 19th, 2008, 09:33 AM
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Better double-check the validity of that Cdn passport issued in Mexico. CDN regulations changed with the introduction of the machine-readable passport recently . As a result, all but temp. passports (good 6 mo.) now have to be issued in Ottawa.
Feb 19th, 2008, 11:25 AM
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This is an ongoing tale of sandy's world travels - makes for interesting reading if you go back 6mo.
I don't have any particular advice Sandy, other than I wish you all the best in your travels. You must be picking up some good stories to tell, and I hope you return to Fodors to share them.
I don't have any particular advice Sandy, other than I wish you all the best in your travels. You must be picking up some good stories to tell, and I hope you return to Fodors to share them.
Feb 19th, 2008, 11:30 AM
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I wonder how many people have scrolled back through Sandy's tales?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...y456&fid=2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...y456&fid=2
Feb 19th, 2008, 12:51 PM
#17
OMG! - never realized this is the same poster who had that really long thread about how to get a long-stay visa after already being in Europe. Looks like he gave up on that idea and and went to Morocco instead.
I doubt we'll ever get a straight story out of him . . . . .
I doubt we'll ever get a straight story out of him . . . . .
