Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
#31
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Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
I am not going to make crossing difficult, easier to answer the questions, I have no reason to hide where I have been.
My wife having no legal right to enter the US could easily be denied entry if I decide to not cooperate and piss them off, and then for obvious reasons I'd also not be crossing.
I don't really care if its "possibly not legal" they clearly are allowed to ask or they wouldn't be asking now would they?
I am not in any position to fight the powers to be at the border, I know they can come up with pretty much any petty reason to deny entry to my wife.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Apr 24th 2015 at 9:42 am.
#32
Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
That is my view too... although I was a little ticked with them 4 trips ago when my youngest daughter (then 4 years old) and I traveled over entering through Newcastle, they made me go to the back of the line (after I waited in the EU line) because I stood in the EU passport line and my daughter had a US passport. I would have understood if it was my USC husband... the same agent that told us to get into the other line ended up admitting us because the EU line had gone through and all agents where checking the non EU passports to get the line down... I think some of them enjoy the power trip!
#33
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Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
That is my view too... although I was a little ticked with them 4 trips ago when my youngest daughter (then 4 years old) and I traveled over entering through Newcastle, they made me go to the back of the line (after I waited in the EU line) because I stood in the EU passport line and my daughter had a US passport. I would have understood if it was my USC husband... the same agent that told us to get into the other line ended up admitting us because the EU line had gone through and all agents where checking the non EU passports to get the line down... I think some of them enjoy the power trip!
I know it's not the UK, but good lord sounds like that person was on a major power trip.
Is it that hard to process your child along with you even if it's not the correct line?
I've seen US and Canadian officers send people back to the end for simple mistakes on the forms like missing a checked box instead of just handing them a pen and asking them to check the box.
I forgot to fill in something on a form once, thankfully I had a nice officer who did hand me a pen and just asked me to check the box I missed.
Crossing borders do not need to be nearly as difficult as they tend to be.
Best experience entering a country, Australia, worst was Jamaica.
#35
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Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
Correct... in theory The US isn't the UK. Trying this out will get you detained. And also given the third degree everywhere else where legally possible.
I am always through the land borders, most questions directed to me are if I am bringing anything with me that will stay in the US.
They direct all the other questions to my wife generally.
Where do you live, where do you work, how are you related, where are you going, how long are you staying.
I suppose she has to answer those questions and might be why they direct those to her and not me.
Crossing borders is just a pain.
#36
Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
Can't speak for the U.S, but in the UK, both Customs and Immigration actually hold more powers than the police. Something to bear in mind when you decide not to answer their questions
Last edited by markonline1; Apr 25th 2015 at 7:47 pm.
#37
Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
My cousin works with UK customs and immigration.....like markonline1 says, you do not want to mess with these guys.
#38
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Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
I have always been highly unimpressed.
The TV series makes them look clowns as well.
The TV series makes them look clowns as well.
#39
Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
If your talking about UK immigration, they are, completely. I had loads of rucks with em during my time in the terminal, most of them thinking they were some sort of god rather than an averagely paid civil servant. Nevertheless, the warrant they hold gives them more power than the police. If I remember correctly, those extra powers come in the form of search.
#41
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Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
You Tube is full of such videos.
#43
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Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
Seeing from what has been shown on Border Protection, the officers have no issue making your entry less then pleasant and going to get the relevant legislation outlining their powers to show people who try and prevent searches from happening.
#44
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Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
I don't want to spend any more time at the border then I need to, way easier to just answer the questions, I am not doing anything exciting, and frankly answering I live in Canada when asked what I am doing there, isn't something I feel I need to hide from them.
#45
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 76
Re: Which country refuses more visitors, UK or USA?
My girlfriend who is American has travelled to the UK a good 10 times in the past few years and she's never had a problem getting into LHR. The only question she ever got asked (other than the standard ones) is how come she's got so much "vacation" time. The UK border person knew that most Americans don't get much vacation and wondered if she was actually really employed.
She has since solved the problem by applying to have her Italian citizenship (she's Italian American) recognised and got her Italian passport last year. We now go through the e-passport lane which when it works is very convenient.
She has since solved the problem by applying to have her Italian citizenship (she's Italian American) recognised and got her Italian passport last year. We now go through the e-passport lane which when it works is very convenient.