US girlfriend coming on visa waiver

[Mick9320]

Hi there,

I’m new to the forum and was just looking for some advice. I know this topic has been covered but I can’t find anything up to date.

My situation is as follows,

My girlfriend of three years is coming to visit me in two weeks from the US, she will be coming on the visa waiver until September. It will be her first time in the UK, as I’ve been flying to see her all the other times due to her family circumstances. She has a return flight booked and we will follow all immigration rules. However as you can imagine I’ve read some of the horror stories and I’m a little worried.
She is currently on a gap year, and will retur to the states for uni and to work.
She will be staying with me and i’ll be funding her stay, however she does have some Of her own money too

I’m trying to be as prepared as possible, and can provide my payslips, bank statements/ write a letter for the IO to see etc.

She is fairly shy, so no over talking issues hopefully!

Just seeing if anyone has any more advice on how I can make sure things run smoothly? The last thing I want is her being bounced!

Thanks

[CR001]

6 months is not a 'visit'.

When you say she has 'some money', how much does she have exactly??

[Mick9320]

Well she’s not living here is she as she’s going home you idi

6 months is not a 'visit'.

When you say she has 'some money', how much does she have exactly??

ot

noun
1.
an act of going to see a person or place as a guest, tourist, etc.
"I'll pay him a visit soon"
synonyms: social call, call
"after reading the play she paid a visit to the poet"

Since she is returning home after seeing me. I think you’ll find it is in fact a visit. If she was going to be living here, I’d have applied for a spouse visa, wouldn’t I? Maybe try and reply without being a sarky prat

[Mick9320]

Also it’s 5 months, maths not your strong point?

[CR001]

I will leave others to comment further!!

[Mick9320]

Apologies, I’m just very stressed as I don’t get to see her often and this is a chance at a longer stretch together. We aren’t trying to flout any rules, I just want to ensure things go smoothly. As I say she’s going to be returning home within the 6 months allowed on the visitor visa. She will be bringing 1000 dollars of her own and i’ll Be looking after the rest, I work and can fund it

[Casa]

If you want to continue to post on the form, I suggest you do so with respect. Many members are 'stressed' but don't resort to insulting a Moderator (or anyone else for that matter) who has tried to help you.

Many non-visa nationals are refused entry if they are unable to submit the same evidence of ties to their home country that would have been required in a pre-entry visa. More importantly than your sponsorship, your girlfriend will have to convince the IO at UK Border Control that she is financially self-sufficient in the US and if she isn't currently employed that may present a challenge. Even more so with a boyfriend living in the UK.

As CR001 has already correctly commented, the IO may well consider that a full 5/6 month visit is too long.

[Mick9320]

Thank you for your reply, this is what I was after. Rather than someone just going “it’s not a visit” which I felt wasn’t very helpful at all, and therefore immediately rubbed me up the wrong way.

Taking on board whatyou have said, is there anything else I can do to help? She has university sorted for September, will this help?

[Casa]

Documented evidence of University. Itinerary of how she intends to spend her time in the UK as a 'visitor/tourist'. Her bank statements showing she is financially self-sufficient.
This is apart from your sponsor's financial evidence of costs you will cover (how much per week etc) and your ability to do so.

[ouflak1]

Thank you for your reply, this is what I was after. Rather than someone just going “it’s not a visit” which I felt wasn’t very helpful at all,

Sometimes we tell the truth, even if it is not what posters want to hear. If the Entry Clearance officer decides that 5 months is not a visit (a reasonable assumption), then it doesn't matter if it is 'helpful' to you or 'rubs you the wrong way'. She will be denied entry and returned the U.S. and your feeling on the matter are irrelevant. And then any subsequent attempts the enter UK for any reason will be given extra scrutiny and she will have to apply for a visa. Thus you should seriously consider a visit that is far more likely to be allowed and provide her with a positive UK travel history. Something on the order a few weeks should suffice.

[Wanderer]

It's also fair to say US citizens are the most frequent transgressors in this regard.

[thsths]

Many non-visa nationals are refused entry if they are unable to submit the same evidence of ties to their home country that would have been required in a pre-entry visa. More importantly than your sponsorship, your girlfriend will have to convince the IO at UK Border Control that she is financially self-sufficient in the US and if she isn't currently employed that may present a challenge. Even more so with a boyfriend living in the UK.

I agree - the question of return is going to be key. If there is a clear intention to return to the US and resume studies (and there is funding for it etc), it might work. I would also explain why she is on a gap year. If there is any gap in the story, a refusal is quite possible.