Return to UK after having been refused entry years ago





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14















So I was turned around from Heathrow airport in 2012 after customs stopped me and asked me what my plans were in London. I told them I was there to Dj...they then asked me if I was making any money. Not thinking anything of it I said I was and they asked how much. I told them $500...which wasn’t even true, I didn’t know if I was making any money or not. They then brought me to a holding room and asked me a bunch of questions and eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money and sent me back to US.



Now fast forward 7 years my wife has bought us tickets to Heathrow for May. And now I am of course kind of freaking out because I have a stamp in my passport with an X over it.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 1





    What are your plans for the new trip? Are you a US citizen?

    – Henning Makholm
    yesterday








  • 1





    @henning vacation I am a us citizen. redherring what important documents? Do you think it would be ok without the visa and just pass with going as a tourist. Do you think they have me as a red flag? Thanks guys

    – Raul Peña
    yesterday








  • 6





    @RaulPeña the purpose of applying for a visa is to basically sort your situation out - you were refused entry at the boarder in 2012, which is a black mark on your slate right now. Only a successful entry or a successful visa application can remove that mark, so the question is whether you want to take the risk of travelling and being refused in May, or applying for a visa now and either be denied prior to travelling (at which point you can make other arrangements) or receive a visa which pretty much guarantees you entry when you present yourself at Heathrow. The visa removes all doubt.

    – Moo
    23 hours ago






  • 2





    @Raul Peña The UK visa site gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/usa/tourism advises that as a US citizen you are eligible for visa-free entry but you may want to apply for a visa if you’ve previously been denied entry.

    – Traveller
    22 hours ago






  • 2





    "I told them $500... eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money" -- confusing. Did you tell them you'd be paid, or not? Did they send you back because they did believe you that you'd be making $500, or because they didn't believe you? It may make a difference whether the refusal was because you openly admitted something that made you ineligible, or because they thought you were deceptive.

    – nanoman
    22 hours ago


















14















So I was turned around from Heathrow airport in 2012 after customs stopped me and asked me what my plans were in London. I told them I was there to Dj...they then asked me if I was making any money. Not thinking anything of it I said I was and they asked how much. I told them $500...which wasn’t even true, I didn’t know if I was making any money or not. They then brought me to a holding room and asked me a bunch of questions and eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money and sent me back to US.



Now fast forward 7 years my wife has bought us tickets to Heathrow for May. And now I am of course kind of freaking out because I have a stamp in my passport with an X over it.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1





    What are your plans for the new trip? Are you a US citizen?

    – Henning Makholm
    yesterday








  • 1





    @henning vacation I am a us citizen. redherring what important documents? Do you think it would be ok without the visa and just pass with going as a tourist. Do you think they have me as a red flag? Thanks guys

    – Raul Peña
    yesterday








  • 6





    @RaulPeña the purpose of applying for a visa is to basically sort your situation out - you were refused entry at the boarder in 2012, which is a black mark on your slate right now. Only a successful entry or a successful visa application can remove that mark, so the question is whether you want to take the risk of travelling and being refused in May, or applying for a visa now and either be denied prior to travelling (at which point you can make other arrangements) or receive a visa which pretty much guarantees you entry when you present yourself at Heathrow. The visa removes all doubt.

    – Moo
    23 hours ago






  • 2





    @Raul Peña The UK visa site gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/usa/tourism advises that as a US citizen you are eligible for visa-free entry but you may want to apply for a visa if you’ve previously been denied entry.

    – Traveller
    22 hours ago






  • 2





    "I told them $500... eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money" -- confusing. Did you tell them you'd be paid, or not? Did they send you back because they did believe you that you'd be making $500, or because they didn't believe you? It may make a difference whether the refusal was because you openly admitted something that made you ineligible, or because they thought you were deceptive.

    – nanoman
    22 hours ago














14












14








14


1






So I was turned around from Heathrow airport in 2012 after customs stopped me and asked me what my plans were in London. I told them I was there to Dj...they then asked me if I was making any money. Not thinking anything of it I said I was and they asked how much. I told them $500...which wasn’t even true, I didn’t know if I was making any money or not. They then brought me to a holding room and asked me a bunch of questions and eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money and sent me back to US.



Now fast forward 7 years my wife has bought us tickets to Heathrow for May. And now I am of course kind of freaking out because I have a stamp in my passport with an X over it.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












So I was turned around from Heathrow airport in 2012 after customs stopped me and asked me what my plans were in London. I told them I was there to Dj...they then asked me if I was making any money. Not thinking anything of it I said I was and they asked how much. I told them $500...which wasn’t even true, I didn’t know if I was making any money or not. They then brought me to a holding room and asked me a bunch of questions and eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money and sent me back to US.



Now fast forward 7 years my wife has bought us tickets to Heathrow for May. And now I am of course kind of freaking out because I have a stamp in my passport with an X over it.







uk us-citizens standard-visitor-visas visa-free-entry denial-of-entry






share|improve this question









New contributor




Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 48 mins ago









Hanky Panky

26.4k478129




26.4k478129






New contributor




Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked yesterday









Raul PeñaRaul Peña

7113




7113




New contributor




Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Raul Peña is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1





    What are your plans for the new trip? Are you a US citizen?

    – Henning Makholm
    yesterday








  • 1





    @henning vacation I am a us citizen. redherring what important documents? Do you think it would be ok without the visa and just pass with going as a tourist. Do you think they have me as a red flag? Thanks guys

    – Raul Peña
    yesterday








  • 6





    @RaulPeña the purpose of applying for a visa is to basically sort your situation out - you were refused entry at the boarder in 2012, which is a black mark on your slate right now. Only a successful entry or a successful visa application can remove that mark, so the question is whether you want to take the risk of travelling and being refused in May, or applying for a visa now and either be denied prior to travelling (at which point you can make other arrangements) or receive a visa which pretty much guarantees you entry when you present yourself at Heathrow. The visa removes all doubt.

    – Moo
    23 hours ago






  • 2





    @Raul Peña The UK visa site gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/usa/tourism advises that as a US citizen you are eligible for visa-free entry but you may want to apply for a visa if you’ve previously been denied entry.

    – Traveller
    22 hours ago






  • 2





    "I told them $500... eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money" -- confusing. Did you tell them you'd be paid, or not? Did they send you back because they did believe you that you'd be making $500, or because they didn't believe you? It may make a difference whether the refusal was because you openly admitted something that made you ineligible, or because they thought you were deceptive.

    – nanoman
    22 hours ago














  • 1





    What are your plans for the new trip? Are you a US citizen?

    – Henning Makholm
    yesterday








  • 1





    @henning vacation I am a us citizen. redherring what important documents? Do you think it would be ok without the visa and just pass with going as a tourist. Do you think they have me as a red flag? Thanks guys

    – Raul Peña
    yesterday








  • 6





    @RaulPeña the purpose of applying for a visa is to basically sort your situation out - you were refused entry at the boarder in 2012, which is a black mark on your slate right now. Only a successful entry or a successful visa application can remove that mark, so the question is whether you want to take the risk of travelling and being refused in May, or applying for a visa now and either be denied prior to travelling (at which point you can make other arrangements) or receive a visa which pretty much guarantees you entry when you present yourself at Heathrow. The visa removes all doubt.

    – Moo
    23 hours ago






  • 2





    @Raul Peña The UK visa site gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/usa/tourism advises that as a US citizen you are eligible for visa-free entry but you may want to apply for a visa if you’ve previously been denied entry.

    – Traveller
    22 hours ago






  • 2





    "I told them $500... eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money" -- confusing. Did you tell them you'd be paid, or not? Did they send you back because they did believe you that you'd be making $500, or because they didn't believe you? It may make a difference whether the refusal was because you openly admitted something that made you ineligible, or because they thought you were deceptive.

    – nanoman
    22 hours ago








1




1





What are your plans for the new trip? Are you a US citizen?

– Henning Makholm
yesterday







What are your plans for the new trip? Are you a US citizen?

– Henning Makholm
yesterday






1




1





@henning vacation I am a us citizen. redherring what important documents? Do you think it would be ok without the visa and just pass with going as a tourist. Do you think they have me as a red flag? Thanks guys

– Raul Peña
yesterday







@henning vacation I am a us citizen. redherring what important documents? Do you think it would be ok without the visa and just pass with going as a tourist. Do you think they have me as a red flag? Thanks guys

– Raul Peña
yesterday






6




6





@RaulPeña the purpose of applying for a visa is to basically sort your situation out - you were refused entry at the boarder in 2012, which is a black mark on your slate right now. Only a successful entry or a successful visa application can remove that mark, so the question is whether you want to take the risk of travelling and being refused in May, or applying for a visa now and either be denied prior to travelling (at which point you can make other arrangements) or receive a visa which pretty much guarantees you entry when you present yourself at Heathrow. The visa removes all doubt.

– Moo
23 hours ago





@RaulPeña the purpose of applying for a visa is to basically sort your situation out - you were refused entry at the boarder in 2012, which is a black mark on your slate right now. Only a successful entry or a successful visa application can remove that mark, so the question is whether you want to take the risk of travelling and being refused in May, or applying for a visa now and either be denied prior to travelling (at which point you can make other arrangements) or receive a visa which pretty much guarantees you entry when you present yourself at Heathrow. The visa removes all doubt.

– Moo
23 hours ago




2




2





@Raul Peña The UK visa site gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/usa/tourism advises that as a US citizen you are eligible for visa-free entry but you may want to apply for a visa if you’ve previously been denied entry.

– Traveller
22 hours ago





@Raul Peña The UK visa site gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/usa/tourism advises that as a US citizen you are eligible for visa-free entry but you may want to apply for a visa if you’ve previously been denied entry.

– Traveller
22 hours ago




2




2





"I told them $500... eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money" -- confusing. Did you tell them you'd be paid, or not? Did they send you back because they did believe you that you'd be making $500, or because they didn't believe you? It may make a difference whether the refusal was because you openly admitted something that made you ineligible, or because they thought you were deceptive.

– nanoman
22 hours ago





"I told them $500... eventually they told me they didn’t believe me about not making money" -- confusing. Did you tell them you'd be paid, or not? Did they send you back because they did believe you that you'd be making $500, or because they didn't believe you? It may make a difference whether the refusal was because you openly admitted something that made you ineligible, or because they thought you were deceptive.

– nanoman
22 hours ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















52














Seven years ago you presented yourself at Heathrow as a US citizen and requested visa-free entry. Visa-free entry requires that you don't work, and that you do not apply for public funds. It also assumes that you will leave the UK within a reasonable period of time.



When questioned you announced your intention to work, and to earn money for it. Since this breaches the terms under which you would be admitted, you were denied entry.



Now, you're proposing to arrive at Heathrow and request entry a second time. Immigration computers have long memories and the border guard will know about a prior refusal. You will be questioned, perhaps at length. If you try and lie your way through you'll be denied a second time and you can forget visiting the UK for a long time.



You need to persuade the border guards that you will comply with the terms of visa-free entry, and with your previous refusal you can expect them to be skeptical about any claims you make.



You should document links to the US, focussing on anything that requires your presence there, to show that you have reason to leave the UK. You should document your income and savings to show that you can afford your visit. And you need a convincing explanation for why things are different this time and you aren't going to work.



You could just show up at Heathrow with all this documentation and try to persuade the border guards to let you in. It can be done, but you could be detained for some hours.



Or, you can apply for a Visitor's visa before you leave the US. If you get the visa, great! If you don't, you avoid the questions and pain at Heathrow. And if the UK border guards ask why you have a visa, just explain about the prior refusal and that you wanted to be sure you'd be allowed to enter.






share|improve this answer



















  • 9





    OP also prevaricated on whether he was working at all, and when he sniffed that working might be a matter of concern to authorities, tried to walk it back. Immigration calls that "deception" and casts shade on any other claim he might make.

    – Harper
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    +1 apply for a visitor visa, if that gets denied you saved yourself a trip.

    – xyious
    8 hours ago












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1 Answer
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52














Seven years ago you presented yourself at Heathrow as a US citizen and requested visa-free entry. Visa-free entry requires that you don't work, and that you do not apply for public funds. It also assumes that you will leave the UK within a reasonable period of time.



When questioned you announced your intention to work, and to earn money for it. Since this breaches the terms under which you would be admitted, you were denied entry.



Now, you're proposing to arrive at Heathrow and request entry a second time. Immigration computers have long memories and the border guard will know about a prior refusal. You will be questioned, perhaps at length. If you try and lie your way through you'll be denied a second time and you can forget visiting the UK for a long time.



You need to persuade the border guards that you will comply with the terms of visa-free entry, and with your previous refusal you can expect them to be skeptical about any claims you make.



You should document links to the US, focussing on anything that requires your presence there, to show that you have reason to leave the UK. You should document your income and savings to show that you can afford your visit. And you need a convincing explanation for why things are different this time and you aren't going to work.



You could just show up at Heathrow with all this documentation and try to persuade the border guards to let you in. It can be done, but you could be detained for some hours.



Or, you can apply for a Visitor's visa before you leave the US. If you get the visa, great! If you don't, you avoid the questions and pain at Heathrow. And if the UK border guards ask why you have a visa, just explain about the prior refusal and that you wanted to be sure you'd be allowed to enter.






share|improve this answer



















  • 9





    OP also prevaricated on whether he was working at all, and when he sniffed that working might be a matter of concern to authorities, tried to walk it back. Immigration calls that "deception" and casts shade on any other claim he might make.

    – Harper
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    +1 apply for a visitor visa, if that gets denied you saved yourself a trip.

    – xyious
    8 hours ago
















52














Seven years ago you presented yourself at Heathrow as a US citizen and requested visa-free entry. Visa-free entry requires that you don't work, and that you do not apply for public funds. It also assumes that you will leave the UK within a reasonable period of time.



When questioned you announced your intention to work, and to earn money for it. Since this breaches the terms under which you would be admitted, you were denied entry.



Now, you're proposing to arrive at Heathrow and request entry a second time. Immigration computers have long memories and the border guard will know about a prior refusal. You will be questioned, perhaps at length. If you try and lie your way through you'll be denied a second time and you can forget visiting the UK for a long time.



You need to persuade the border guards that you will comply with the terms of visa-free entry, and with your previous refusal you can expect them to be skeptical about any claims you make.



You should document links to the US, focussing on anything that requires your presence there, to show that you have reason to leave the UK. You should document your income and savings to show that you can afford your visit. And you need a convincing explanation for why things are different this time and you aren't going to work.



You could just show up at Heathrow with all this documentation and try to persuade the border guards to let you in. It can be done, but you could be detained for some hours.



Or, you can apply for a Visitor's visa before you leave the US. If you get the visa, great! If you don't, you avoid the questions and pain at Heathrow. And if the UK border guards ask why you have a visa, just explain about the prior refusal and that you wanted to be sure you'd be allowed to enter.






share|improve this answer



















  • 9





    OP also prevaricated on whether he was working at all, and when he sniffed that working might be a matter of concern to authorities, tried to walk it back. Immigration calls that "deception" and casts shade on any other claim he might make.

    – Harper
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    +1 apply for a visitor visa, if that gets denied you saved yourself a trip.

    – xyious
    8 hours ago














52












52








52







Seven years ago you presented yourself at Heathrow as a US citizen and requested visa-free entry. Visa-free entry requires that you don't work, and that you do not apply for public funds. It also assumes that you will leave the UK within a reasonable period of time.



When questioned you announced your intention to work, and to earn money for it. Since this breaches the terms under which you would be admitted, you were denied entry.



Now, you're proposing to arrive at Heathrow and request entry a second time. Immigration computers have long memories and the border guard will know about a prior refusal. You will be questioned, perhaps at length. If you try and lie your way through you'll be denied a second time and you can forget visiting the UK for a long time.



You need to persuade the border guards that you will comply with the terms of visa-free entry, and with your previous refusal you can expect them to be skeptical about any claims you make.



You should document links to the US, focussing on anything that requires your presence there, to show that you have reason to leave the UK. You should document your income and savings to show that you can afford your visit. And you need a convincing explanation for why things are different this time and you aren't going to work.



You could just show up at Heathrow with all this documentation and try to persuade the border guards to let you in. It can be done, but you could be detained for some hours.



Or, you can apply for a Visitor's visa before you leave the US. If you get the visa, great! If you don't, you avoid the questions and pain at Heathrow. And if the UK border guards ask why you have a visa, just explain about the prior refusal and that you wanted to be sure you'd be allowed to enter.






share|improve this answer













Seven years ago you presented yourself at Heathrow as a US citizen and requested visa-free entry. Visa-free entry requires that you don't work, and that you do not apply for public funds. It also assumes that you will leave the UK within a reasonable period of time.



When questioned you announced your intention to work, and to earn money for it. Since this breaches the terms under which you would be admitted, you were denied entry.



Now, you're proposing to arrive at Heathrow and request entry a second time. Immigration computers have long memories and the border guard will know about a prior refusal. You will be questioned, perhaps at length. If you try and lie your way through you'll be denied a second time and you can forget visiting the UK for a long time.



You need to persuade the border guards that you will comply with the terms of visa-free entry, and with your previous refusal you can expect them to be skeptical about any claims you make.



You should document links to the US, focussing on anything that requires your presence there, to show that you have reason to leave the UK. You should document your income and savings to show that you can afford your visit. And you need a convincing explanation for why things are different this time and you aren't going to work.



You could just show up at Heathrow with all this documentation and try to persuade the border guards to let you in. It can be done, but you could be detained for some hours.



Or, you can apply for a Visitor's visa before you leave the US. If you get the visa, great! If you don't, you avoid the questions and pain at Heathrow. And if the UK border guards ask why you have a visa, just explain about the prior refusal and that you wanted to be sure you'd be allowed to enter.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered yesterday









Redd HerringRedd Herring

1,469715




1,469715








  • 9





    OP also prevaricated on whether he was working at all, and when he sniffed that working might be a matter of concern to authorities, tried to walk it back. Immigration calls that "deception" and casts shade on any other claim he might make.

    – Harper
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    +1 apply for a visitor visa, if that gets denied you saved yourself a trip.

    – xyious
    8 hours ago














  • 9





    OP also prevaricated on whether he was working at all, and when he sniffed that working might be a matter of concern to authorities, tried to walk it back. Immigration calls that "deception" and casts shade on any other claim he might make.

    – Harper
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    +1 apply for a visitor visa, if that gets denied you saved yourself a trip.

    – xyious
    8 hours ago








9




9





OP also prevaricated on whether he was working at all, and when he sniffed that working might be a matter of concern to authorities, tried to walk it back. Immigration calls that "deception" and casts shade on any other claim he might make.

– Harper
12 hours ago





OP also prevaricated on whether he was working at all, and when he sniffed that working might be a matter of concern to authorities, tried to walk it back. Immigration calls that "deception" and casts shade on any other claim he might make.

– Harper
12 hours ago




1




1





+1 apply for a visitor visa, if that gets denied you saved yourself a trip.

– xyious
8 hours ago





+1 apply for a visitor visa, if that gets denied you saved yourself a trip.

– xyious
8 hours ago










Raul Peña is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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Raul Peña is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












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