Customs/Border control advice??

[Happygirl123]

SO has managed to book second pair of tickets for the July, since the first ones were cancelled
nonetheless, he will be travelling to Heathrow London.

I've read some stories online of people getting stopped at customs and almost being sent back because the officer found it "sketchy" to be in an LDR, especially when they haven't met yet and there were no couples pictures etc etc.

Has anyone flown from the US before to the UK? if so, how was the experience for you? slightly concerned since this is our first meet. excited though

[lucybelle]

Just "avoid" the truth. Say he's visiting friends for vacation. Totally true and easy to get through!

[snow]

Like lucybelle said, you don't have to volunteer that information. Just tell him to tell the officers he's visiting his friends.

[80anthea]

The UK border control do have a bad reputation and I've known one person be sent back to the USA, she wasn't even in an LDR, just visiting friends but they weren't convinced. The best thing you can do is come with evidence that you'll return again. So get your SO to bring copies of any work contract, rental agreement, anything that ties him back to the US. A return ticket is obviously a good idea too and evidence of money that he'll support himself with whilst here.

[Ella85]

Yeah UK border control is really crazy strict now. I would defiantly say he is visiting friends and take as much proof as possible that he has a job/house etc to go back to.

[SailorRei]

I hope US control will be better, since it will be my 2nd visit this year and not sure if I should say "friend" or a "boyfriend". especially that we'll be crossing Mexico border together and coming back to US

I can just already taste the questions and suspicions

[Kapwned]

Just note they do record the information you tell them and customs on the way back may ask some of the same questions for consistency. Or even inquire on the information you gave them. For instance on the way to visit my bf in Canada they asked me where we met, I said World of Warcraft. On the way back, the American customs agent asked me "What game did you meet him on?"

If he chooses to be honest they will ask some of the following:

1. Where did you meet?
2. How long have you known each other?
3. How long have you been dating?
4. Have you googled this person? (just say yes...)
5. *insert a bunch of questions about you here such as what you do for a living, where do you go to school, who do you live with, etc*
6. How much money do you have? (If he has a credit or debit card, he can just tell them he has such and such money and a credit card). If he is only bringing cash they may badger him for that because in their eyes he may have too little which isn't safe, or he may have too much which could be suspicious to them. After my first trip I just started saying I brought a credit card.
7. Where did you earn this money? If he doesn't have a job but is going on a trip with hundreds of dollars they may become suspicious.
8. What if things don't turn out the way you planned? Do you have a back up plan?

Then they will likely start to see if he is a possible run away or is trying to flee from his old life. They may ask about his family, his work, schooling, etc. They will also inspect his stuff for signs of running away. One customs agent got suspicious of me because I had a lot of new clothing (it had been my birthday a few weeks prior and I treated myself to a wardrobe update). They even checked my phone and read all of my text and Skype conversations.

Just note that if they badger someone over meeting someone online they are partially doing it for the person's safety. But also, they don't want them getting stranded in their country should things not end up like they planned, especially if it's a first time meeting. After the first time they loosen up since you've met in person.

[tinamcinkingston]

When my now husband and I first started our treks to meet each other Canada/England... we found it best to say staying with friends, going on vacation... now that we're married and have the experience behind us, we proudly state we are going to see our spouse and enjoy our time together :-)

[Colourfuldreamsx]

My girlfriend got grilled when she flew into Heathrow the first time we met, she ended up having to show the officer her teacher ID and had to show
evidence of where she was staying.
She told them I was a friend and I was thinking it wouldn't be too hard for her to get through immigration. she was shaking when she was finally let through but she knows to be well prepared when she next comes although she is nervous about it she is bringing more evidence of her ties to home.

Just make sure your boyfriend has evidence like return ticket, maybe a work contract or letter stating when he is due back to work/school if possible.
I've always had no problems with US immigration/customs so far but that could change, I guess you never know.

[SailorRei]

I always wondered what should you when all your documents like apartment lease, work contract etc are in different language than English
Translate them yourself? Pay tons of money to somebody to have it translated?

[Miasmata]

I always wondered what should you when all your documents like apartment lease, work contract etc are in different language than English
Translate them yourself? Pay tons of money to somebody to have it translated?

Usually the officers speak more than one language. I don't think they honestly expect you to have documents translated just for border control.

[Aussieabroad]

As an Aussie in the USA, bloody hell, don't tell them your partner is there!!! I'm sure the US border and English ones are totally different, but normally if they suspect you are trying to live there, they may very well deny entry. I told LAX customs that I was on a vacation visiting friends. I have heard stories of people being turned back when they mentioned partners that are citizens.

[MissingMyDutchLove]

I traveled a lot this past year and every time I just said that I was on vacation (or holiday depending on what country I was in). Although this was absolutely true, I never had any problems with getting past immigration. Most of the time, they just asked why I was there and when I was leaving and I was let through immediately. Once, I did have to show ties to the country I was returning to, but when I produced that information (I only needed one piece before they believed me), I was let through quickly. Just make sure you have something on you that shows you will be returning and it shouldn't be a problem!

[Shauny]

I can pretty much sum this up;

Girlfriend came to England to stay for a month. Said we were together. Quarantined for 4 hours, my parents were contacted as she was staying at my parents house. They said she had no money but I knew she did on her card. They said there was no evidence. Luckily my auntie works in law and went absolutely apeshit (sorry for language) at customs. They let her through. I don't want to jump to any conclusions but there could have been a hint of stereotyping and racism as she's of Mexican ethnicity (although born in the US and legal from birth). We were both interrogated on our work, family, etc etc and I was reduced to tears. I wouldn't give up though. I knew they had the power to listen in to my phone calls. They stupid thing is she had a return ticket already booked.

I visited the US for the first time hearing of the 'harsh' US customs. It was anything but. I was asked about why I was there. I answered to visit a friend who I knew as a penpal for years. I was asked how long I was staying and if I had my return ticket. My fingerprints were scanned and my photo taken. It was a two minute process and was out of the airport soon after, however I would expect it to take longer in a larger airport as I flew into Orlando Sanford which is fairly small.

The UK is very tough on customs, especially in London. It may save you the hassle of flying to/from smaller airports where possible. It is usually more expensive but there's no delays and waiting and long queues.

[Kapwned]

Ah yes... they will racially profile people, and hardcore. I was on a bus to Canada and there was a guy and his niece, both of middle eastern descent of some sort, and they were the only PoC on the bus. As we all went into customs the officers probably let about 7 white people pass before they stopped the guy and his niece on the spot right in the doorway.