Refusal Questions

[Michelle2224]

A while ago I traveled to the UK as a US citizen and made the horrific mistake of telling them I wanted to visit but possibly find work and live there. I had planned to do it the legal way (visit for 5 months, get a work sponsor, go back to the US, then come back to the UK and start my job) but tagged with only having $1500 and being unemployed, they sent me right back home.

Months ago, I formally applied for a Tourist visa, provided pay stubs from the two jobs I began to work to pay for my stay, got my boyfriend/sponsor's info, letter from my employer explaining that I would be still be employed during my leave, had over $2500 in my bank account, and shortened my visit to 2 months. They refused my visa on the same grounds as the first visit.

So I'm worried now that if I decide to travel to a different country to visit and not repeat the same mistakes aforementioned, will they ask about the refusal visa stamped into my passport? What is an acceptable explanation?

Also, when I arrive at any border agency, especially the UKBA, what information do they access about me? Am I going to be "flagged" in any sense, because it appears that they will easily be able to see the past mistakes and judge me on that for a third time.

Any advice is much appreciated

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Michelle2224

A while ago I traveled to the UK as a US citizen and made the horrific mistake of telling them I wanted to visit but possibly find work and live there. I had planned to do it the legal way (visit for 5 months, get a work sponsor, go back to the US, then come back to the UK and start my job) but tagged with only having $1500 and being unemployed, they sent me right back home.

Months ago, I formally applied for a Tourist visa, provided pay stubs from the two jobs I began to work to pay for my stay, got my boyfriend/sponsor's info, letter from my employer explaining that I would be still be employed during my leave, had over $2500 in my bank account, and shortened my visit to 2 months. They refused my visa on the same grounds as the first visit.

So I'm worried now that if I decide to travel to a different country to visit and not repeat the same mistakes aforementioned, will they ask about the refusal visa stamped into my passport? What is an acceptable explanation?

Also, when I arrive at any border agency, especially the UKBA, what information do they access about me? Am I going to be "flagged" in any sense, because it appears that they will easily be able to see the past mistakes and judge me on that for a third time.

Any advice is much appreciated

Oh dear, you are in trouble! You have two refusals, which are indeed recorded on their immigration database and will flag up every time you come into contact with the Border Agency, either at UK consulates abroad or at UK arrival ports. Indeed, with the madatory advance passenger information (you need to register your passport details in advance of travel), they will know about it even before you set foot in UK, or even before you board your plane (and may be refused travel by your airline).

As for travelling elsewhere, such as to a Schengen country, refused entry sign (stamp crossed out) is sure to alert any immigration officials the world over and is likely to lead to questioning and scrutiny. It may not lead to a refused entry, but you sure have more explaining to do. You can reduce your chances of hitting trouble by getting a new passport, as I don't think other countries routinely have access to UK immigration record (except Ireland).

What can you do? For returning to UK, you somehow have to start establishing good immigration record with UKBA. Try another visit, but this time limit it to a week or two. Book yourself on a tour, so that there's no chance of your overstaying. You should still apply for entry clearance (visa) at the consulate. If you are granted a visa, make sure you comply with every rule and it will be easier for you to travel the next time. What they are afraid of is you overstay to live with your boyfriend and work illegally. If in future you want to marry him and live in UK, then getting your record straight becomes even more important.

BTW, don't think you can bypass UK immigration by landing in Ireland first and then travel to UK. Irish immigration do enforce UK visa rules, share databases and are indeed on the lookout for those who try a back-door entry into UK.