My sister is engaged to an English man. She has been offered a position at her UK branch of her company. As of now they are working on her work visa. She just left to go to the UK on a holiday visa to meet her new family, and to see if she can get used to the UK (being a CA girl and all), When she got to the airport, it was one miscommunication after another with immigration. Basically they were convinced that she would start working before the visa was approved, and did not believe she was there to visit. They have stamped her passport with refused, and were not at liberty/able(?) to tell her fiance what will happen from there and when she can re-enter the country. She is on her flight back home now (she was detained for over 24 hours in a cold room), eventhough she was treated like a criminal, and treated harsh, she would still like to go back with her fiance, and meet her soon to be step son. Does anyone know what she will need to do before entering again? or how long she has 2 wait
2007-06-12 05:21:57 · 10 answers · asked by sjhockeyfan 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Will this possibly effect her work visa? From what it sounds like the work permit is set, they are just trying to complete the visa process. Is there a number that she can call from the US to see if she would be sent back again? I dont think she can stand another 20 hours in 2 days in a plane. Please, if anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated, and I would love to give them any information that I can when they come back.
2007-06-12 05:24:59 · update #1
Having known someone who has gone through something very similar to this situation.
she could travel on a Fiance's visa she could apply in person at the embassy - but as the company she is going to be working for has started the process of a work visa she may not be able to obtain one.
She obviously has 2 reasons for coming to the UK 1 for work (which is being worked on and 2 for marriage)
My friend was going there to visit her boyfriend, and unknown to her he was going to propose to her when she arrived in the UK (when they talked to him they took it as they were going to get married during her trip)- she was stopped by immigration (because she had already visited there previously and had stayed 6 months in total in the year so they refused her entry. they put her in a back room, searched her luggage and found Work applications forms and resume's (not for the uk but the states as she was looking for work as she had just quit her job) and decided that she was looking for work in the UK albeit the applications she had were obviously from the states. she tried to explain that she would be mailing the applications when completed from the UK back to the companies in the states. then after they searched her luggage they took her to a room where there were 2 holding cells - she asked for her medications for stress and they wouldnt let her have it until they had interviewed her and searched her- she was alone for about an hour then they came and got her - and made her sign a paper for "detention" and "bail" she asked if she was being arrested - they said no - but gave no other explaination - they also at that time stood her in the door to a cloak room and searched her - including under the clothing. then she was put back in the cell - by this time there were others in the cell all MEN - who had watched her get searched as well. and then they allowed her to take her medications - she asked if she was able to make a phone call - they showed her to a pay phone (to which she had no money and the phone did not accept phone cards) she was going to call the embassy for help and she couldnt even do that.
SHe then asked them to call the american embassy for her they told her no not until she was interviewed. anyway to cut a long story short they allowed her out on "bail" and confiscated her American passport and told her to return to the airport 7 days later and she would be sent home. When she got back to the airport she had to check in with the airline who said that she would have to pay to get home as they would only pay to take her to the first port of call so she ended up having to pay for her whole ticket back to the states. they gave her back her passport and let her into the departures lounge where she could not leave - her plane was delayed four hours and of course when it did arrive she was led on to the plane (first person to board) like a criminal. She now lives in the UK and is married to the person she went to see - but that took alot
Anyway to cut the story short- She should find out if the refusal to entry will effect her work visa as it might do.
She will need to contact the British Embassy to find out what needs to be done. she will have been given information that she will have had to have signed that will explain what will need to be done. ALso when she contacts the british embassy have her explain what happened.
Also have her write a letter explaining everything that happened and give it to her employer as they will have to have the information about her being refused entry, As this could effect her work visa.
After she calms down from her adventure - she may be able to read the information that will have been given to her and in that information it might tell her how to go about being able to get back to the UK.
Also have the company that she is going to be working for in the UK send information to Immigration with her reference number on it. (they should have called the company)
In the mean time - she can always have her fiancee and family come to the States to see her. and perhaps while they are there they can get married - then she will just have to get a spousal visa which is good for a couple of years and she can work right away on a fiancee's visa she will not be allowed to work for a while.
2007-06-12 06:01:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
I am sorry about what happened. Unfortunately, this is the way that people are treated if it is suspected that they might be trying to get around immigration laws in one way or another. It is not unusual, and for vulnerable people, such as those claiming asylum, often very traumatic. They can't vote, so who cares?
OK, rant over.
I can see why the problem has arisen. She has stated her intention to get married, and separately from that to work in the UK. But she doesn't have a visa which would allow her to marry or to work. The system is programmed to not believe that someone once here would apply for the necessary visas and permissions; moreover, they will have assessed her primary intention in being here as being to work/get married, not just to visit.
To be honest, the mistake was really made before coming to the UK. In a case which might have given rise to suspicion like this, she could have applied for entry clearance at the British embassy, explaining all the circumstances. Otherwise, she needed to apply for a fiance visa - she would be allowed to work after getting married.
The refusal should not prevent a spouse visa being granted, although it won't help. I think that her fiance, being based in the UK, needs to get proper legal advice pronto to make sure that all future steps are followed correctly. Personally, I would not recommend applying for a work permit at the same time as a spouse visa - it might give the impression that she is just desperate to come to the UK (this is the assumption on which immigration law and policy is based!).
This is all a lesson in the need to take professional advice (not mine!) in all dealings of this nature - a small miss-step can lead to endless grief and hassle.
Good luck.
2007-06-12 10:30:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cant really answer your question.
But what I can tell you is that they've probably refused to let her in because the country is sadly already full
And if she didnt like the way she was treated, wouldnt that just make her want to stay in the US and get married there instead? Seems more logical to do that.
2007-06-13 01:31:39 · answer #3 · answered by city_lights_x 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs to talk to the British Embassy in LA.
For all telephone inquiries about visas to the UK or Overseas Territories, please call 1-900 990 8472. This is a premium rate service handled by our outsource partner Abtran. All calls are charged at the rate of $2.49 per minute.
If you have difficulties reaching this number and wish to pay by credit card, please call 1-800 935 9993. Calls also cost $2.49 per minute.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 0830 to 2030 EST, excluding public holidays.
http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?d=3&i=104&L1=41003&L2=1&a=26272
2007-06-12 07:03:01 · answer #4 · answered by lollipoppett2005 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At least she was given a reason for the refusal. it so happens that Immigration Officers do not have to give a reason for refusal for entry, although they have to have a reason.
I suggest that the lady contacts her Embassy, giving details of flight number, time of attempted entry etc., and any details likely to be relevant.
From what you say she had a valid reason for visiting this country before starting to work. The Immigration Authorities have insulted a US citizen, it seems.
From this end, perhaps the boyfriend should contact his MP, explaining the situation, and providing the same sort of information. With the assistance of the MP, the lady ought to be permitted entry.
But do not expect any apology!
2007-06-12 05:35:43 · answer #5 · answered by nontarzaniccaulkhead 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
It's not stupid, it is logical and full of sense. Unsupervised minors can get wild and hurt themselves and others. It is not the function of Chuckecheese to supervise (babysit) children. They don't want to open themselves up for lawsuits if these kids hurt themselves or others. They also don't want these unsupervised youngsters to drive away paying customers and families.
2016-04-01 03:37:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they must have had a good reason to send her back, and it will affect her visa. If its all legal etc why doesn't he go over there and get married?
2007-06-12 23:30:27 · answer #7 · answered by Jackie M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a crazy mix up. Poor thing.Maybe they should go to Vegas and get a quick marriage before going back to England.
2007-06-12 05:33:51 · answer #8 · answered by Marilyn T 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Keep those immigrants out!
No sympathy at all. The amount of times I have been treated badly by US immigration when I was working on a government contract(with a valid visa).
2007-06-12 05:31:42 · answer #9 · answered by The GIT! 2 · 6⤊ 6⤋
tough i've seen worse.
2007-06-12 05:51:07 · answer #10 · answered by mariolla oneill 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋