Traumatic experience at Heathrow Immigration- Border

[northlondoner]

Hello

Was hoping to get your thoughts. 3 days ago i came back to the UK after a short holiday of 2 weeks.

I have been here since 2006 as a student and now on Tier 2. Between 2010-2012 I had a PSW visa.

I am feeling so shaken after what happened-

I gave my passport to the officer (who was extremely rude). He checked my BRP which was recently extended in September 2014 and asked me 2 times if I has 'any issues with immigration'. I worry a lot so probably started to panick as I have never been questioned like this before.

He then filled out a form and asked me to wait. The form basically said that they are keeping me at the border for 'further checks'. He told me to wait 5-10 minutes whilst he verifies my passport and new visa (as it had never been used). Obviously I was really worried and literally felt like a criminal- after being asked so many times if I had an immigration issue.

The guy came back and then let me through. He basically asked if my PSW visa was curtailed? Not sure why he asked this because it is an old visa. I showed him my old passport with the PSW visa and my previous Tier 2 visa (the one before the new biometric card).

He then stamped my passport and let me through. I asked if this will happen again- he replied that their system is now 'updated'. This has completely put me off travelling and now I am worried if it will happen again. Since I am on Tier 2 there is always a concern about the employer etc as one time in 2013 my company's Tier 2 licence was 'suspended' as they hadn't done some compliancy reporting to the UKBA. However their licence was promptly reinstated and during my extension in September 2014 there was not any issue.

I am so perplexed about what happened. Was it because they had'nt updated their system properly or because my company had a previous licence issue.

Just do not want this to happen again. Meant to go on a family holidy to Europe in April and after this I am worried that I will be stopped again at the border whilst returning. I am also getting married to my partner this year who is a British Citizen, however our wedding will be held in India- I do not want to be stopped like this whilst returning after my wedding! Any advice will be great.

[kevb2014]

Déjà vu. It seems that their systems don't talk to each other or something and there is nothing to worry about as it's unlikely to happen again.

The first time I traveled with my Tier 2 visa, I was stopped at the border and questioned about my previous refused visa application. The lady was like "Where did you get this BRP?" and I went "Err I applied for it!". But then I didn't panick and told her the truth about everything. She then cleared the logs on the system and let me in. Since that incident, I haven't been stopped again. So, yeah you should be okay from now on!

[northlondoner]

Thanks Kevin your feedback is much appreciated.

Well what has freaked me out is the way it was done. As stated I was given a slip and asked to wait and the slip said that I am being held for "further checks". The guy did say that since my brp is new it needs checking and he asked atleast 3 times if I had an '"immigration issue".

So far all my visas have been granted (by the grace of Lord Shiva) but he asked two times if my PSW permit was curtailed which isnt true. I was so freaked out that I asked him why is he checking me to which he replied "errr obviously you dont have a British passport and not a regular resident". He was Sikh I guess and continued to do small talk with me.

I am worried if this will happen again. He did stamp my passport but the incident has really upset me. Maybe as a girl I panic 24/7.

Why did he ask about my PSW visa which was expired as 2 yrs ago I made an entry clearance application via Tier 2. My company did have licence issues which were resolved in 2013 and my extents ion was done with no issues. Ever since the licence issue I check the registers of sponsors everyday. . Wondering if they had a record of the licence issue and hence the questioning regarding "immigration issues". When I asked my employers they obviously said that its nothing to do with them.

After this has happened I am scared to travel or maybe paranoid. I have holidays planned in Europe and my upcoming wedding to my boyfriend (which will take place in India) and do not want to be embarrassed again. Does it help to do a registry in the UK before going to India to marry? I should be able to utilise my tier 2 right?

[kevb2014]

Know the feeling dear but since you've got a clean immigration history, you don't need to worry.

Tier 1 visas are the ones that are mostly targeted for abuse. He probably thought of running some checks on you just in case he finds something interesting! I'm sure sardarji must have cleared any misleading red flags off the system.

It would be in your best interest to leave that incident behind.

P.s Congrats on your wedding in advance! May Lord Shiva bless you both.

[manci]

I have holidays planned in Europe and my upcoming wedding to my boyfriend (which will take place in India) and do not want to be embarrassed again.
don't let this episode ruin your holiday, put it behind you and look forward to the wedding and married life.

[northlondoner]

Thank you all for commenting.

Still pretty upset.

Regards