Concerns regarding UK Border Control and no job
So I am graduating from college this May, and to celebrate I'm going to Scotland to visit my girlfriend for nearly 2 months. I've been to the UK three times before, have never had any issues, and have always left when I said I was going to leave. But every time before then I've always had the obvious connection back home of college, and I've never stayed as long as I will this summer. As I'm going straight after school, I most likely won't have another job lined up and will therefore be unemployed. I do, however, have massive amounts of loans that I have to start paying back in November/December and I 100% plan on coming back here to the States and getting a job.
I have a return ticket, and plan to bring my printed itinerary, as well as bank statements. I was also going to bring my loan statements to show that I really do need to go back and get a job.
I'm just worried that the length of my stay and my lack of a job will make them suspicious of me, even though I would never, ever overstay. Is there anything else I could bring to show them that I do not plan on staying in the country? I'll be landing in Glasgow, if that helps at all.
Best Answer
You are likely to arouse at least some suspicion. You are:
- A foreign citizen.
- Without stated familial ties to another country.
- Without leased or owned property elsewhere.
- Coming to visit your lover for an extended period.
- Without a job in any country at all.
- Liable to repay a large sum of money if you return home.
- Showing a pattern of multiple visits for non-business purposes.
It might be in your interest to not bring up the student loans unless asked. They're a liability, not an asset, both financially and immigration-wise. Claiming you want to return home so you can start paying money is not convincing.
The term "girlfriend" is ambiguous. It might be in your interest to refer to her as simply your "friend" if you are not romantically involved. This may not matter a lot, and in any case you should be honest if asked to clarify the relationship you have with this person.
Hopefully you have a substantial amount of money in your bank account(s). One or two thousand bucks is not going to seem substantial given your circumstances.
If you do have an apartment lease back home, or are comfortable getting one (even if you sublet it whilst away), that might be helpful (you could bring a copy of the lease, though I don't think immigration would normally expect to see this).
Finally, as Michael Hampton said in a comment, you could get a job offer. You don't even have to actually start that job when you return, if you decide it's not for you, but a signed and countersigned offer letter might be helpful. Ideally for a job other than flipping burgers. This piece is probably the hardest to get, but on the other hand that may make it more valuable from the immigration officer's point of view.
Pictures about "Concerns regarding UK Border Control and no job"
Do you have to be British to work on the Border Force?
Important requirements As a border force officer, you will have to: be at least 18. have a full driving licence. be a UK national with a full and valid passport.How much do UK border force get paid?
Salaries for Border Force apprentices are typically around \xa321,431 per year. As a Border Force officer, you could earn between \xa324,883 and \xa327,372 per year. Senior Border Force officers can earn between \xa337,450 and \xa341,193 per year.How do I contact the UK Border Force?
In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the police.Does UK border know when you leave?
Dear all, There is no passport control when you leave UK. Instead, airlines send Advanced Passenger Information to Home Office.Border Force Try to Stop a Potential Sex Trafficking Situation | Heathrow: Britain's Busiest Airport
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Field Engineer, Field Engineer, Laura James, Field Engineer