Documents needed upon entering UK (tourist visa)

[James999BKK]

Ok, quick explanation of my situation: The girlfriend is coming over to visit the UK, she already has the visa and our initial plan was to fly over together but this changed and I had to fly back from BKK early (family situation).

My question is what, if any, paperwork and documentation does my girlfriend need to provide at immigration? We are mainly worried about the accommodation side of things. We had initially intended to spend the holiday in hotels as we traveled about the UK showing her the sights so that is how we presented it in the application, however with the family situation, an illness, it is likely we will now be spending the majority of time staying at my parents house as I need to be here to help out. As a result of this we have cancelled our hotel bookings, do I need to write some sort of letter stating where she will be staying? Will they ask her about this at immigration? She is pretty worried as what we will now be doing is going to be different from how we outlined it in the visa application.

Sorry if that's a bit garbled and I will thank you in advance for your advice.

[theoldgit]

In the event she is questioned they would be more interested in sight of her return ticket.

If the Border Officer asks her about her plans for her stay, then she should just tell the truth, she should advise them that you were originally planning to tour but now, because of a family emergency she will be staying with you at your family home, she should have the address to hand.

I presume you will be meeting her at the airport, if so make sure she's armed with a phone number so that, if required, you can corroborate her story.

[James999BKK]

Ok, thanks. Yeah she has the return ticket and yes I'll be at the airport to offer backup if needed.

Just out of interest, and so that my girlfriend will be prepared if she is questioned at immigration, do the immigration officers have the documents from the visa application? She is thinking of taking all her documents from the application with her in case of any problems.

[theoldgit]

Just out of interest, and so that my girlfriend will be prepared if she is questioned at immigration, do the immigration officers have the documents from the visa application? She is thinking of taking all her documents from the application with her in case of any problems.

They don't have the documents but they do have access to the original online application, if they were seriously concerned, though I doubt very much if they would be, they could make contact with Bangkok for a view on the documents.

She just needs to be fully prepared to answer, if specifically asked, that whilst the visit is for the same length of time, due to a family crises she will be spending more time at the family home.

Just bear in mind that confirmed hotel reservations, or even an itinerary, aren't required for a visa application, they will just need to be satisfied that she will leave the UK at the conclusion of the visit.