UK Entry Port

lostnfound · Post by **lostnfound** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:36 pm

Hello All

So I'm heading back to the UK very soon after spending April- Aug there. My concern is when I entered the UK in April I only had a ticket for two weeks but then one day before my departure back to the US I decided hell, I'm young, have friends here, etc I am gonna stay the summer! I pretty much just passed through friends houses, few weeks here, a month there etc..never worked and left far before my visa expired. Long story short, I'm scared I will get it coming back this time. I am only going back for four days to see friends, loved ones..etc but I am scared they are going to interrogate me on my previous visit ( which is ok, cos I didnt do anything wrong, they are just so intimidating...going on past experience here) So my main concern, I havent told my job I am going over for this short stay ( didn't think it was any of their business) but am worried now as well that the IO will call and verify my employment. Do they generally do this?

I'm new here and hope I posted this in the right area!

Thanks.

p.s- if they need to fine I just didn't want my employment thinking this is going to happen on a regular basis, as it doesnt bode well.

UKBAbble · Post by **UKBAbble** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:51 pm

It is fairly common for an immigration officer to check with an employer - it might be best to let them know your intention. I can't see any other reason for you to have a problem though.

lostnfound · Post by **lostnfound** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:43 am

So I'm getting a letter verfiying my employment on letter head. Gave in and spoke with a supervisor. Oh well.
Secondly, someone mentioned tax info...huh?

Also, there isnt a problem with entering the UK under the pretences of staying for two weeks but then changing my mind. My visa was for 6 months but still....

paulp · Post by **paulp** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:13 am

lostnfound wrote:So I'm getting a letter verfiying my employment on letter head. Gave in and spoke with a supervisor. Oh well.
Secondly, someone mentioned tax info...huh?

Also, there isnt a problem with entering the UK under the pretences of staying for two weeks but then changing my mind. My visa was for 6 months but still....

When you originally entered the UK in April, your intention was to stay two weeks and you didn't mislead or deceive the Immigration Officer.

lostnfound · Post by **lostnfound** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:32 pm

Yes.....but then I changed my mind. How do I prove that!

I originally only changed it to go home only 5 weeks later but then i met a boy....no longer together.

lostnfound · Post by **lostnfound** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:49 pm

There is no exit control in the UK?

paulp · Post by **paulp** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:17 pm

lostnfound wrote:Yes.....but then I changed my mind. How do I prove that!

I originally only changed it to go home only 5 weeks later but then i met a boy....no longer together.

If you're asked about your previous stay, tell the truth. You didn't do anything wrong, you were given a 6 month visa and decided to stay longer than planned.

You don't need to prove you changed your mind. What would be useful when you seek entry this time is to show that you've got a job to return to and you're only here for a few days to see friends.

There are sporadic exit checks.

lostnfound · Post by **lostnfound** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:51 pm

Thanks for your responses.

See, last time I had a job too, pretty much called and said errrr...im not coming back for a bit! haha So when asked if I had a job to reuturn to I said yes, because I did at the time!

My thing is, will they know the duration of my last stay or just be concerned with this visit?

Some guy scanned my passport and put a sticker on it while I was in line to check- in at the Stupid desk. Someone mentioned e-borders? I had no clue!

UKBAbble · Post by **UKBAbble** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:12 pm

The duration of your last stay maybe something that they ask you. Please take my advice and don't lie about it - that alone could get you refused.

lostnfound · Post by **lostnfound** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:22 pm

i dont plan on lying for one sec...im just saying if it isnt mentioned im not going to say a thing! what info do they have on you? i was informed they dont have that info ( departure dates) right on hand, only if they inquire further.

paulp · Post by **paulp** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:29 pm

You don't really care what info they have on you. You didn't do anything wrong. If the IO wants you to leave on time, he could give you a shorter visa this time.

lostnfound · Post by **lostnfound** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:42 pm

Just curious...esp if they have access to dates.

Oh, didnt know that....for four days! ha

All and all I just wanna know what I'm in for.

lostnfound · Post by **lostnfound** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:00 am

so ...er....will they know the duration of my stay before I even open my mouth?

berkshire1987 · Post by **berkshire1987** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:11 pm

lostnfound wrote:Just curious...esp if they have access to dates.

Oh, didnt know that....for four days! ha

All and all I just wanna know what I'm in for.

Did you not get arrival and departure stamps in your passport. They will know by this....

Christophe · Post by **Christophe** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:00 pm

berkshire1987 wrote:Did you not get arrival and departure stamps in your passport. They will know by this....

Almost certainly not a departure stamp. Even when passports are examined by the immigration people on departure, I don't think that they're stamped, are they?

lostnfound: I think you're worrying unnecessarily. You haven't done anything wrong: you were give leave to enter the UK for 6 months and you left before that 6 months was up, and you didn't (from what you say) break the conditions of your leave. You didn't lie to the immigration officer on entry, since you changed your plans after entry. As I say, I don't think it's an issue, really.

berkshire1987 · Post by **berkshire1987** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:45 pm

Christophe wrote:
berkshire1987 wrote:Did you not get arrival and departure stamps in your passport. They will know by this....

Almost certainly not a departure stamp. Even when passports are examined by the immigration people on departure, I don't think that they're stamped, are they?

They must be......everytime I go to another country I get the in and out stamp.

Or do they not stamp a passport on exit?

berkshire1987 · Post by **berkshire1987** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:46 pm

Almost certainly not a departure stamp. Even when passports are examined by the immigration people on departure, I don't think that they're stamped, are they?

They must be......everytime I go to another country I get the in and out stamp.

Or do IO's in the UK not stamp a passport on exit? If not why? Seems crazy to me.

UKBAbble · Post by **UKBAbble** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:54 pm

There are no embarkation stamps. They were abolished in, if I remember correctly, 1997.

berkshire1987 · Post by **berkshire1987** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:04 pm

UKBAbble wrote:There are no embarkation stamps. They were abolished in, if I remember correctly, 1997.

Same year as Labour came in......mmmmm

So we have no exit control but I guess unless you overstay it wouldn't matter so much.

Christophe · Post by **Christophe** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:19 am

berkshire1987 wrote: Same year as Labour came in......mmmmm

So we have no exit control but I guess unless you overstay it wouldn't matter so much.

Exit controls are being re-introduced, because the government have realised exactly what you just said. However, they are still sporadic, and even when they happen passports are not stamped (as far as I know).

Mind you, even when exit controls were rigorous and routine, most passports were not stamped on exit: only people who had leave to remain as a non-visitor. (And of course, British and other EU/EEA passports, Swiss passports and passports endorsed to show a right of abode are not stamped in or out...)

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UK Entry Port

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