Since I'm an US citizen do I need a visa to travel to the UK as a visitor?

Question

I flew to the UK once before in March 2006 but was denied entry. I applied in Feb 2007 for a visit visa but was denied that because of the lack of a letter of invitation from my boyfriend. Is it possible to just fly back and try again at the port of entry. I could carry all my documents and bankstatments with me to the port of entry and my boyfriend would be there at the airport if they need to question him. Is it possible to do that without applying again for a visit visa?

Answer 1

You don't need a visa for a five day visit to the UK? Are you trying to work there? I go there a lot and never been denied entry. Your mistake was saying you had a boyfriend there. You need to tell them that you are there for vacation and they won't ask you anymore questions. Just use your passport and don't get things complicated with weird statements. If they ask where you will be staying just give them a vague address and they will let you right in. There must be more to this story than you have entailed.

Answer 2

Go to the US DEPARTMENT OF STATE online to find out what you need, then contact the UK Embassy if you have trouble getting anything.

Answer 3

Why wouldn't you apply for a visa before you left?  And why would they have denied you?  I think there must be more to this story, are you a convicted felon or something?  Something's fishy.  I've never had a single issue getting into the UK.  Certainly doesn't require an invitation from a UK citizen to get a visa.

Answer 4

A US citizen does not require Entry Clearance to enter the UK as a visitor. However from the information you have provided it is clear that you are not entering as  a visitor but that you are entering as a fiance to see your boyfriend. That is a completely different category of entrant and as such you will require a visa from the British Embassy as a fiance/spouse. If you keep telling the immigration officer at the airport that you are here to see your b/f then you will keep getting sent back, irrespective of what documents you have with you.

I am an immigration solicitor.

Answer 5

I dont know since the last time I went overseas I was on a tour group. If you join up with a tour group they take care of that. Go for one of those funky trips with a package it would be fun and your boyfriend could tag along too. a sort of "outsider" look for him...

But yea vistors passes suck. if they are saying you need one, you do.

Yes they would deny you entry for having no job thats a given. They want to make sure while your visiting ( which i would think if under a certain amount of time you would not need a visitors visa just a stamp from immigration); but anyways. yea you need to prove you can support yourself;food;cost of living and coming home. It will be helpful and better if you have

1) a Valid and up to date US passport

2) Proof of income ( current bank statement stamped by bank)

3) proof you have a place of living space in the states and valid

4) letter of invitation from bf and make sure he puts he has a place for you to stay and that perhaps proof HE too could support you financially while your there, in case

5) letter from employeer remember that its valid,dated,signed and on letter head official

6) if you go to school and visiting just for summer that you have a printed schedule and that you have paid tutiion so that they know your planning and need to leave the UK in the time you say you do

7) and a plane ticket of entry and to leave the UK too.

ALSO you had to have flown all the over to the UK just to get denied twice?

or just once?

good luck

contact your local embasie too in the UK when u get there

so they know your there.

*OH*

if you have too much money at port of entry they can use it as a indication that you may intend to stay longer than the period of time you said you would be there for.

just make sure you have proo fof how long you plan to stay there

Answer 6

Apply for a passport. A passport is valid for entry into the UK (I travel there on business from time to time).

They're a bit backlogged now, so give yourself 2 months or so.

Answer 7

Well la-di-da, you're a US citizen.

So what?!  The UK is a DIFFERENT country, and THEY decided who does and does not need a visa.

Answer 8

Yeah, why wouldn't you? I didn't think we're a colony any longer :\

Answer 9

why not just get a passport like thousands of other visitors do? i dont know why you are having a problem, you dont need a letter of invitation to visit the U.K

Answer 10

US citizens do not need a visa for a visit to the UK,

nor do they need a letter of invitation ....

if you were denied entry ? i really do not know why ?

if i were you ? i would NOT just fly back , the likelihood of you being denied again is very sure,

it would be a waste of your money ,

as for your passport renewal , it will not change your status to enter the UK ,

the only thing that comes to mind ? is perhaps the status of your boyfriend ?

if you do not have a record in the USA ,then the problem has to be situated toward your friend ?

i am just guessing at this .....

i do not have a positive answer for your question ,sorry ;