How often can US citizens visit UK

[JessicaC]

I am a UK citizen in relationship with an American citizen and resident. We met online and he has flown out to see me twice since November 2015. The first time he visited from 30 November 2015 to 12 December 2015. The second time he visited from 10 February 2016 to 18 February 2016.

I understand that US citizens can visit up to 6 months per year legally, but may be denied entry by UKBA because of suspicion that they do not intend to leave. I also understand that young, single travelers visiting their significant others face extra scrutiny in this area.

He is planning to visit for another couple of weeks in April. He is a full time student at a four year university in the US and is just over a year away from finishing his degree. He has enough savings to cover the entire trip from his paid internship the previous summer and from his part time job as a programming tutor. He also has a return ticket. Is he likely to be denied entry at the border? Thank you for your time.

[secret.simon]

He is a full time student at a four year university in the US and is just over a year away from finishing his degree. He has enough savings to cover the entire trip from his paid internship the previous summer and from his part time job as a programming tutor. He also has a return ticket.

He should carry proof of all these as proof of ties back home and that he will leave the country before his visa expires.

The first time he visited from 30 November 2015 to 12 December 2015. The second time he visited from 10 February 2016 to 18 February 2016.

So far, the two of you have managed it well. Short trips are fine. But repeated short trips may cause an Immigration Officer to question him for the reason for frequent flights to the UK.

I also understand that young, single travelers visiting their significant others face extra scrutiny in this area.

If he mentions that he is here to meet his girlfriend, that may also raise questions.

Why not mix it up a bit? If he is going to earn frequent flyer miles anyway meeting you, why not meet him in Paris one month and Rome the next? That way, it does not seem like he is coming to the UK that often and the two of you can see Europe together.

[JessicaC]

He is a full time student at a four year university in the US and is just over a year away from finishing his degree. He has enough savings to cover the entire trip from his paid internship the previous summer and from his part time job as a programming tutor. He also has a return ticket.

He should carry proof of all these as proof of ties back home and that he will leave the country before his visa expires.

The first time he visited from 30 November 2015 to 12 December 2015. The second time he visited from 10 February 2016 to 18 February 2016.

So far, the two of you have managed it well. Short trips are fine. But repeated short trips may cause an Immigration Officer to question him for the reason for frequent flights to the UK.

I also understand that young, single travelers visiting their significant others face extra scrutiny in this area.

If he mentions that he is here to meet his girlfriend, that may also raise questions.

Why not mix it up a bit? If he is going to earn frequent flyer miles anyway meeting you, why not meet him in Paris one month and Rome the next? That way, it does not seem like he is coming to the UK that often and the two of you can see Europe together.

Seeing Europe might be out of our price range at the moment when we factor in the cost of two plane flights plus a hotel. What kinds of questions might be raised if he says that he is here to meet his girlfriend? Is this likely to be an issue in spite of the presence of proof of ties to the US?

[ohara]

Just a thought, but you can get flights into major European airports from London for insanely low prices. The last time I flew to Stockholm from Heathrow it was £120 for a return ticket and that was with British Airways! If you look at the budget Stupid like Easyjet and Ryanair, you can easily get flights for under half that price. Accommodation can be cheap too if you use things like hostels or airbnb

[secret.simon]

And if you choose the right city, it can be dirt cheap as well. I was in Prague for a week last October. I stayed in a (very nice) youth hostel and with the sightseeing, beer (75p a pint!!!) and a trip to an absinthe bar, I spent about £125 for the whole week. That is insanely cheap.

What kinds of questions might be raised if he says that he is here to meet his girlfriend? Is this likely to be an issue in spite of the presence of proof of ties to the US?

Well, it becomes an issue because having a girlfriend in the UK means that he has ties to the UK in competition with his ties back home and the Immigration Officer will need to evaluate in more detail as to the relative strength of the two.

[Casa]

Just on word of caution...but an important one. He should be open about visiting you (his girlfriend) as if he withholds this and you later want to apply for a fiance or spouse visa you will be required to submit evidence of the length of your relationship.
If he hides your existence now, it may come back to bite him on the bottom later on as all information is held on the UKVI system for cross-reference. Where the Home Office is involved, honesty is always the best policy!
As long as he carries with him evidence of ties to the US, study etc., and doesn't visit too often or stay too long, you should be fine.