British Expatriate Network

Hello,

This may have been covered before but I can't seem to find it.

In October me (British) & my husband (American) are visiting the UK for a week. I've been reading on the American Expats board about how some couples stick together & go through the same customs line together. Has anyone sneaked their US spouse with them through the EU line? I'm just curious. I have no problem if we have to wait a little longer going through 2 lines.

I was also wondering if we need to bring along any proof that we are settled in and returning to the US? I guess I'm a little paranoid that the immigration officials will think that my husband is trying to sneak into the UK so we can live there - which isn't the case.

Just interested to hear anyone else's experience.

Thanks, Jennie

Families are supposed to stay together through Immigration and Customs. In Immigration, you are meant to go through the foreigner's line, but it's unlikely you will have any problems going through the EU line. Saying that, we have asked the inspector if we (or rather my DH who has a PR stamp) could use the EU line and he was quite clear that we should not. I'm sure people on this board have done this quite uneventfully though, or split up and not raised an eyebrow. Personally, I like to just stick to the rules, as there seems little point in trying to rush through given that the bags usually take ages to appear.

In the Customs hall, you should go through which ever channel (Red or Green) which is applicable to you - so this inevitably will mean you go through together.

We have done it both ways - together and separately - different reactions from different officials. Don't worry about them suspecting you of sneaking hubby in to stay there - spouses are allowed to stay up to 6 months without any problem anyway.

Purpose of visit visiting the spouse's family, vacation. No problem.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I was reading on the American Expats board that families are meant to stay together. I'll probably just see what we feel like doing on the day. After flying from the midwest to the east coast and then over to the UK, we'll probably be too sleepy to know what we're doing. razz

Good to know they won't think I'm trying to sneak my husband in. I'm just paranoid after travelling to the US as a fiancée & wondering if the INS officials were going to let me in or not.

Seems like there's no official answer to what should be done. I guess we'll just have to see for ourselves.

Thanks, Jennie

There is an official answer -you should both go through the US line. But the people I know both go through the UK line and have never had any trouble -funnily enough, I was discussing it with them just last week.

Now the question is, can we use our baby's US passport to get the whole (UK) family through the quicker US line when we return here after Christmas? lol

Just make sure baby has his own UK passport too or you are likely to be questioned at this end about taking a US citizen out of the country, and at the other end about why he doesn't have a British passport! I took my little one to the UK on a US passport only and was strongly advised to get him a UK one.

I am sure you have already done this anyway monster - but thought I'd mention it in case someone out there has not thought of it.

Afraid not on your own initiative. Chances are, though, that you will, as a family with small children, get moved into the US line once it clears.

When we were going through Atlanta a few weeks ago, they had several lines for US citizens and green card holders. Very sensible.