Partner stopped at Immigration for one hour

[steveweaver99]

Hi guys/girls

My partner flew into London Heathrow from Bangkok to see me on her 6 month tourist visa recently and whilst I was waiting for her for over 2 hours at arrivals for her there was no sign, so I started to get a bit worried and contacted he information desk who told me to contact Immigration. When I contacted Immigration they told me she was being held for further questioning along with half a dozen other Thai ladies and she would be released in 5 minutes.

My partner then arrived and I asked her what happened, she told me an lady from UKBA had pulled her over for questioning for over an hour and was saying things like why do you keep coming to the county (UK) every year and stay for several months, why don't you get married, you wont be able o come next year as your visa will be refused. The UKBA officer then asked for my number and aid the Police will be calling me, no one did call me which was why I was waiting at arrivals for over 2 hours.

I was quite angry that the UKBA officer wasted my partners and my time asking silly questions so decided to call them. A guy answered and said the UKBA were doing their job and I said fine but asking my partner why do you come here every year and why don't you get married and you will be refused a Visa next year I though was off the mark and out of order. He then put the phone down on me, I then called again, lady this time, and asked if the calls were recorded or logged, she told me no and you cannot have the officers name.

Is the legislation changing next year which would prevent her from coming to visit me (that's if we are not married by then)?

Is it worth making a formal complaint?

Anyone had similar experiences?

Thanks

[I Like Thai]

Keep your head down and your mouth closed. Whilst your partner is in the UK at the discretion of the Immigration service do nothing to annoy them. Don't rock any boats. If at a time in the future, your partner no longer requires their permission to enter, then send a letter of complaint if you so wish.

[larsjohnsson]

It's the same in many other European countries. And the main reason is that a lot of Thai girls come to all those countries to work as prostitutes. I would not complain when she still is there on here 6 months tourist visa.

[Somtamnication]

One only needs to go on gumtree and type "Thai" and you can understand.

[David48]

UKBA were doing their job

That statement does it for me.

They are government Folk doing the job as instructed to them.

Both my Thai Partner and my mates Thai GF on separate occasions have been interviewed re their intentions to visit Australia.

They are just doing their job ...

[theoldgit]

Whilst they are doing their job to protect the UK Borders, your partner already has Entry Clearance and though this doesn't guarantee that she will be admitted to the UK, she has already satisfied an Entry Clearance Officer that the visit is genuine so, and as I understand it, the Border Force Officer, or rather their Chief Immigration Officer, can only refuse entry if they believe the visa was obtained using false information, that there was a material change in circumstances since the visa was applied for or the Border Force had evidence to suggest that your partner was in breach of Immigration Rules.

There is nothing wrong with questioning a visa holder and these Border Force Officers do have a difficult and demanding job, but in the circumstances you describe I believe the officer was intimidating your partner and seems that she was trying to catch her out. Yes she is a regular visitor and yes she stays for months at a time, and that would certainly ring alarm bells, but if the visits are genuine your girlfriend has complied with the rules, there is nothing wrong with visiting on a regular basis and no requirement to have to get married.

I think that the throw away comment that she wouldn't be issued with a visa again was no more than that, and it's something this Officer has no power over, if your girlfriend satisfies an ECO that future applications are genuine, and of course they will take into consideration her regular visits, that she is not using visit visas to live in the UK on a semi permanent basis and that she has ties to her home country, there is no reason why a visit visa shouldn't be granted in the future, though she might be subjected to further questioning.

As to whether you should complain, I wouldn't be put off by whether they would hold a grudge and her card would be marked, but rather what would it achieve. I'm pretty confident that her card wouldn't be marked but I'm also pretty sure that a complaint would receive a stock answer from a faceless Civil Servant in a correspondence unit, and wouldn't actually be the subject of an investigation. I personally wouldn't complain, not for fear of reprisals but that I don't believe it would achieve anything, I would draw a line under it and move on. Don't let it stop your partner applying again but make sure she is prepared for future robust questioning at The UK Border, tell her to smile sweetly and not to take the bait, she seems to have handled the situation well on this occasion.

The processing of visa applications and the protection of The UK Borders are now two separate units within the Home Office, and whilst they do talk to each other, I doubt very much if they are joined up.

[BritManToo]

I don't think the comments about "not being allowed in next year" are either appropriate or part of their job.

Just another bit of nastiness, usually by minimum wage workers that were allowed in.

Government officials should always be polite and on job.

No excuse not to call the phone number and let bf know either.

Edited April 3, 2014 by BritManToo

[David48]

Just remember ... unless the OP was there during the questioning period, he is retelling the story as his partner told to him.

Degrees of separation ... that's all.

As for making a formal complaint, the offended person would have to do that ... not the OP?

[art vandelay]

the UK government, via the border agency, are coming down hard on immigration. there is a general election looming and the tories want to appear tough on immigration as it will be central strand of their campaign. expect things to get worse rather than better.

the officers were doing their job as such you have no grounds for a complaint.

[theoldgit]

I accept, and actually said as much, that the Border Officers have to satisfy themselves that the person with Entry Clearance is genuine, but an hour of questioning, if that is indeed the case, does seem to be excessive and probably wasn't done at the desk.

As I have said, Border Officers do have a difficult job, they must still question those with Entry Clearance to ascertain that that the clearance is still valid, don't forget that this lady had already satisfied an ECO that her visit was genuine, but they must do so reasonably and shouldn't make throw away remarks designed to frighten the passenger. Border Officers have a lot of power, but those powers mustn't be abused.

[soihok]

I would suggest giving up life in the UK and moving to Thailand.

You and your partner would a whole lot feel better

[larsjohnsson]

Can she stay 6 months without leaving the country?

[laolover88]

If ever you or your partner/wife/ family have a 'problem', get it all in writing. As I understand it, Officers of the

Border Agency are, of course, entitled to do their job. But they are required to specify the grounds for any concerns

and certainly explain and detail the reasons for their concern and any conclusions. Changes in circumstances after

the issue of a visa are often one reason for their concern. They clearly cannot interrogate you as to why you are not

married, nor can they suggest that you may be refused a visa in future without substantiating that opinion. You may haveto wait longer as they won't want to do it!! They are not entitled to suggest that entry may not be granted because you raise questions! I would not complain; but I would make 100% sure that your partner jumps through all the hoops for her next visit!

[7by7]

Can she stay 6 months without leaving the country?

Non EEA national visitors to the UK can stay for up to 6 months on any one visit or until their visa expires; whichever is the shorter.

[marstons]

Happened a few times with my wife, even got pulled in Zurich in transit. Personally do not see anything wrong with it with so many people travelling on stolen passports and visa's. I expected it as she was Thai and UKBA reality TV shows are tuning up many Thais working in the sex industry. They probably just wanted to make sure she was not into some sort of people trafficking or in deed a working girl.

I took it as part of the territory when travelling with a Thai female due to the reputation of the place.

What they said is one side of the story, they were always polite and courteous to me and my wife. Its is after all Immigration.

As for an official complaint about why she was pulled for further questioning at the airport which they are entitled to do?

[howerde]

Unlikely but maybe they wanted her to say she wanted/or was thinking of marrying, and thus refuse entry on those grounds, have read of it happening

[laolover88]

Can she stay 6 months without leaving the country?

Non EEA national visitors to the UK can stay for up to 6 months on any one visit or until their visa expires; whichever is the shorter.

A UK entry permit, if it is given, grants a stay of up to 6 months. That is it!

[7by7]

If we are being pedantic:

There are basically two types of person seeking entry to the UK who are not EEA nationals.

• Visa nationals, e.g. Thailand, who need to obtain a visa in advance regardless of their purpose for seeking entrance to the UK and the length of their stay. If they are a general or family visitor the maximum length of stay is 6 months per visit. But they cannot stay past the expiration of their visa even if this means staying less than 6 months, e.g. because they delayed travel until after the start of the visa.
• Non visa nationals, e.g. Australia, who do not need a visa if coming to the UK as a general or family visitor, but do for other purposes. If entering as a general or family visitor they can stay for a maximum of 6 months per visit.

Both visa nationals with a visa and non visa nationals can be questioned by immigration at their port of entry and if immigration have sufficient grounds to believe that the person is not a genuine visitor, for example because

• they will overstay,
• they are seeking entry for a purpose other than that stated,
• in the case of visa nationals there has been a material change in their circumstances since the visa was issued

then they can be refused entry; even if they have a visa.

There is also a convention, but not rule, that a non EEA visitor should not spend more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK; whether they are a visa national or not. If immigration believe this will happen and the visitor does not have a satisfactory reason for so doing then the visitor can be refused entry.

Edited April 3, 2014 by 7by7

[transam]

I do know a Thai lady that has been going to Ireland to visit a "boyfriend" on a tourist visa every year, but she actually works whilst there, guess what doing................................?

Hand CAR wash.................................. ............................True......................

[larsjohnsson]

Can she stay 6 months without leaving the country?

Non EEA national visitors to the UK can stay for up to 6 months on any one visit or until their visa expires; whichever is the shorter.

If I could stay 6 months on one tourist visa in Thailand, I wouldn't mind an interview at the airport Edited April 3, 2014 by larsjohnsson

[JesseFrank]

UKBA had pulled her over for questioning for over an hour and was saying things like why do you keep coming to the county (UK) every year and stay for several months, why don't you get married, you wont be able o come next year as your visa will be refused.

Now imagine that this was concerning a UK citizen visiting his Thai girlfriend, and he got this reply from Thai immigration.

I wonder if the same posters as above still would say, immigration was just doing their job .

[marcusd]

UKBA were doing their job

That statement does it for me.

They are government Folk doing the job as instructed to them.

Both my Thai Partner and my mates Thai GF on separate occasions have been interviewed re their intentions to visit Australia.

They are just doing their job ...

David you are correct. This happened in Amsterdam to my Young Russian friend whom I flew from oz to meet and then accompany him to,oz via Bangkok.

He looked ten years younger than he was. Dutch immigration held him 6 hours and I couldn't get to,him. He couldn't speak English.

They thought he was being brought in for prostitution as they let me in after 6 hours. They were trying to,protect him from the bouyant sex trade.

This is what the UK immigration is doing too as bad as it seems. They are trying to,protect the Thai girl from possible bad things.

May I suggest you produce and five her many pics and things so she can show your relationship apart from the answering of questions ... Pics over years. It does help a lot.

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[JesseFrank]

UKBA were doing their job

That statement does it for me.

They are government Folk doing the job as instructed to them.

Both my Thai Partner and my mates Thai GF on separate occasions have been interviewed re their intentions to visit Australia.

They are just doing their job ...

David you are correct. This happened in Amsterdam to my Young Russian friend whom I flew from oz to meet and then accompany him to,oz via Bangkok.

He looked ten years younger than he was. Dutch immigration held him 6 hours and I couldn't get to,him. He couldn't speak English.

They thought he was being brought in for prostitution as they let me in after 6 hours. They were trying to,protect him from the bouyant sex trade.

This is what the UK immigration is doing too as bad as it seems. They are trying to,protect the Thai girl from possible bad things.

May I suggest you produce and five her many pics and things so she can show your relationship apart from the answering of questions ... Pics over years. It does help a lot.

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

They are trying to,protect the Thai girl from possible bad things.

A Thai lady that has a 6 month visa year after year doesn't need to be protected. It is obvious she is not forced to anything

Edited April 3, 2014 by JesseFrank

[Waterloo]

Despite what some might think it is not all about the oldest profession.

A couple of years ago the Mother in law visited to help out just after the birth of our second child and She was held by immigration for an hour.

As she is approaching 60 I am pretty sure they didn't suspect her of coming to the UK to go on the game.

With hindsight it was partly our fault as she speaks no English & could not communicate effectively.

In future we will always provide her with a letter of explanation for her visit and mobile phone numbers so the Border officer can speak with one of us.

[Basil B]

the UK government, via the border agency, are coming down hard on immigration. there is a general election looming and the tories want to appear tough on immigration as it will be central strand of their campaign. expect things to get worse rather than better. the officers were doing their job as such you have no grounds for a complaint.

Visitors are not immigrants unless they overstay when they become Illegal Immigrants.

Visitors to the the UK generate much needed income for the UK

Immigration Officers at Port of Entry have an important job to do and I assume it can be very difficult at times.

There are people every day entering the UK that should not be.

I presume your G/F was stopped for further questioning, probably told to wait/sit in holding area with other persons, maybe some of them were Thai, may be their reasons for being here are not legit, may be some of what she says the IO said was in fact said by these other Thai Ladies? it must have been very worrying for her, English is not her first language, so there may have been confusion.

By the time you inquired they probably had interviewed her and was considering her case, possibly already made a decision to "land her", one thing by contacting immigration you proved she was not on the game as no pimp is going to stay around if his lady gets pulled.

[thepool]

I was once questioned by the USA border control people . No problem !

I was legit and they were doing their job

[wooloomooloo]

I've witnessed many a thread whereby the OP takes umbrage to his guest being inconvenienced at immigration.

My advice - don't take it personally.

I accompany my wife through immigration these days but in the past she's experienced the routine quick-fire question and answer sessions and was nothing to worry about. If she was delayed at T3 for an hour or two then we would've put it down to timing and experience.

[Donutz]

Shouldn't it be relatively easy and a preferenance of both applicant and issueing officer to hand out a long term (5-10 year) multi entry visa to the UK after somebody has already visited 2-3 times? I very much like the plan of the Schengen area to hand out multiple entries by default if somebody is a frequent visitor. Lessens the burden on both the authoriticities and and the applicant in means of time and costs.

Regardless, after your second or third visa/entry it should be a piece of cake to get past the border (immigration), clearly a bonife traveller, no need to discourage those with pathethic questions you'd think. The job at the border is jard enough as it is trying to filter out as many rotten apples as possible while letting as many trustworthy visitors door with little to no delays or complications. Asking some questions to all non-EU first time visitors (with and without visa) makes sense, if they come again within a year or so, why even bother asking any questions? Let alone rude and offensive behaviour as the OP discribes. So much for a warm and respectful welcome (and extra benefit saving the community and individual time and money, so may spent more -frequent- time and more money actually in the country...).

I'm glad my girl went through immigration on all 3 occasions without any questions despite "what's your purpose of traveling?". Apparantly others say report that a waterfall of questions or even being taken to a seperate room for an interview is almost standard practise. I fail to see the logic in that. If somebody is visiting time and time again for the same purpose (visiting friends, family), always abided the rules and there is something fishy or tricky (human trafficking etc.) why bother asking any questions?

Complaining to UKBA may not help (or hurt?) , for any changes though politics would need to see the importance of more lenient and welcoming rules for bonafite travellers. Write a letter to various politicians, or a newspaper etc. One single letter probably won't change anything but one can hope that if more and moire people voice their concerns and experiences, finally something may just change. Besides, nothing ventured, nothing gained..

[samran]

I only wish Thai immigration would do their job as thoroughly!

[David48]

I only wish Thai immigration would do their job as thoroughly!

If they did ... maybe they wouldn't have alowed my first visit ...