question about airport immigration
I visited England (specifically Bristol) for a week in May 2007 and again from August to December. The first time I breezed right through immigration, and they stamped my passport for 6 months.
The second time I told the immigration officer that I intended to stay for 4 months, and she began interrogating me. In addition to the usual "where will you be staying" type of information, she wanted to know about my work history (spotty), plans for the four months (didn't have a solid agenda), my relationship with the friend I was visiting (now my boyfriend, but not quite at the time), proof of my finances (I didn't have any on me), and many other things I can't recall at the moment. The questioning went on for at least 20 minutes while she scribbled notes the entire time. Then she went into a back room and spent another 10 minutes doing god knows what. When she finally emerged she said she'd let me through, but only for the EXACT length of time I told her I'd be there.
The whole thing was emotionally draining, and I wasn't prepared for any of it.
Now I want to go back toward the end of January and would like to stay for the 6 month maximum allowed by my passport. Obviously I don't want to repeat the experience. Now I know to bring a copy of my bank statement and be more specific about my plans, but I'm still afraid to face British immigration again. (I might be coming in through London Heathrow this time.) Some people have told me just to say I'm visiting for 2 or 3 weeks, and I'll get the full stamp without any questions. But now I'm worried that they have me in their database as someone to look out for, and I don't want to be banned from the UK. Is this a valid concern?
Any tips or suggestions are warmly welcomed.
(cross-posted to americanintheuk)
The second time I told the immigration officer that I intended to stay for 4 months, and she began interrogating me. In addition to the usual "where will you be staying" type of information, she wanted to know about my work history (spotty), plans for the four months (didn't have a solid agenda), my relationship with the friend I was visiting (now my boyfriend, but not quite at the time), proof of my finances (I didn't have any on me), and many other things I can't recall at the moment. The questioning went on for at least 20 minutes while she scribbled notes the entire time. Then she went into a back room and spent another 10 minutes doing god knows what. When she finally emerged she said she'd let me through, but only for the EXACT length of time I told her I'd be there.
The whole thing was emotionally draining, and I wasn't prepared for any of it.
Now I want to go back toward the end of January and would like to stay for the 6 month maximum allowed by my passport. Obviously I don't want to repeat the experience. Now I know to bring a copy of my bank statement and be more specific about my plans, but I'm still afraid to face British immigration again. (I might be coming in through London Heathrow this time.) Some people have told me just to say I'm visiting for 2 or 3 weeks, and I'll get the full stamp without any questions. But now I'm worried that they have me in their database as someone to look out for, and I don't want to be banned from the UK. Is this a valid concern?
Any tips or suggestions are warmly welcomed.
(cross-posted to americanintheuk)