This is my story and I need your help.

Hi there,

If I had enough time and more confidence, I would have told this story in full. But I’m not sure anybody would want to know my story as it’s long and it doesn’t have a happy ending, so I will just state the facts and see if anybody could help me here.

I was in the UK from 2001-2006. On each of the first two times of extending my visa, I was given a 5 month student visa. Since the things in the shop windows were so tempting, I started on and off working. I was given various work shifts; sometimes I just couldn’t get up in the morning to go to school, so I missed a lot of school time. I was too young and stupid to make a decision between money and visa. So when my visa was due, it was officially refused to be extended.

After that, I realized what a fool I was. It could have been quite smooth and easy to extend my visa and go to the university, but I ruined it all.

My parents were already very disappointed that I resigned my own university to go to the UK. They were even upset about the fact that I have to come back home without even visiting the university once. I was very upset about the whole thing as it seems that my bright future burst like a bubble. But under all the pressure, I decided to take a further risk. It’s not about money, it’s about my future.

I managed to get into a university, and they only checked my youth photo card, which was from a train station. With my parents’ support, I managed to pass 8 out of the 14 exams. It wasn’t easy at all as I’m telling you. It was probably the hardest time in my life. But funnily enough, after all the misery, I still managed to find myself a boyfriend.

He was officially separated and due to be divorced, but it took an awful long time for him to divorce his wife as they had some dispute between them.

We lived in different cities too. It must be us who caused the rise in fuel prices as we kept traveling long distance to see each other.

We met in 2004, when I was still a student without a visa. I told him the truth, he didn’t care. We had ups and downs, but eventually in the Summer of 2006, I moved to his place. We lived together for about 6 month, and then I got fed up with my status - being partly qualified, but not be able to look for job as I was illegal.

I came back to my country in Jan2007 and continued to study for my qualification. The hope being that I could finish soon and then apply for a passport to return to the UK. Meanwhile my boyfriend and I still keep in touch on the phone.

Just recently, he told me that his divorce has come through. He asked me if I have any plan about us.


I have been reading some articles here in this forum. I found a great deal of understanding and sharing here, not only information but also emotions.
I also found that some people had similar situations to mine.

I try not to speak out loud about what I’ve done in the UK, and yet, I was so desperate to share my feeling with someone. It’s a shame that I didn’t find this site when I was in the UK.

I love him dearly, but I really don't think after 4 and half years illegal stay, I would stand any chance. Would I?

Jingles, if you want people to advise/help you on this site, you need to publish hard facts rather than a long sob story (sorry to be harsh). Stop feeling sorry for yourself as (believe it or not), you aren't the only person who overstayed their visa in the UK. Atleast you did the honourable thing of returning to your country at your own will without being deported, so you stand a much better chance of returning to the UK than had you been deported.
Depending on your nationality, you may be able to return to the UK as a tourist for 6 months and then see how things progress with your boyfriend? If things work out, you could then apply for a fiancee visa, leading to a spouse visa if you then decide to get married. Alternatively, once again, depending upon your nationality you could apply for a working holiday visa, which would give you entry in to the UK for 2 years. So, there are ways, but people need more info to share their experiences with you. Good luck.

Hi, thanks for your reply and I agree with everything you said.

Ok, firstly, I'm from China, I don't think that the 6 month tourist visa is available for Chinese people. I have never heard of the working holiday visa before, so I think they maybe for the Commonwealth countries only, correct me if I'm wrong.

When I was in the UK，I found that there are generally more restrictions for Chinese people to apply for UK visa than for other countries’ people.
Although my best friend who is still in the UK has got herself a HSMP. But that was much easier because she did it while she was in the UK. Back here in China, the chance shrinks.

I heard that I would be on to the black list or whatever you call it already as I was over stayed. My boyfriend wants to come to China for a one month trip and if possible marry me here, but if I am on the black list, it would be a disaster to get married then find out that I won’t be able to get a visa what so ever.

Does the ‘black list’ really exist? Will they ever give another chance for people like me who had a bad record?

Thanks again for your reply.

Jingles,

You wrote that you search this board- maybe you should look through posts about those who overstayed and still managed to get a visa...there are loads of 'success stories'.

I don't know if there is a 'black list'- maybe so, but most people can come back to the UK if they are genuine! But in some other cases it will be a lot harder (i.e. you can get a tourist visa, but because of your past situation they might refure you - also, if they know you have a boyfriend, they might think you'll plan to overstay again (even if you didn't 'plan' it before) and might refuse you because of your connections to the UK.)

What can you do? Do you already have a degree? Might be worth studying (anywhere, even the UK)- that would help your future in terms of a good job prospect, etc. And your parents will be happy, too

If you are ready to get married, then you can;

1. apply for a fiancee visa to marry in the UK, or
2. marry in China and apply for a spouse visa from there

Check out the details for both options before choosing..either one of you will need approval to marry (in UK or China).

If you're not ready, you can also;
1. come back to the UK to study (at a bona-fide university, like Oxford )
2. Try getting a company to apply for a work permit for you
3. Do you qualify for HSMP?

Thank you for you suggestions. I will follow your advise ,look more carefully into details. At the same time I will look throught the articles on this site and try to find any more information which will help me.
I will post my progress as it happens.

Thanks again.