pTeronaut

On the few occasions that I have been able to make it back to the UK with my wife in the nine years I have been in the US, I have always entered the UK via the Citizen's gate then proceeded to wait at the other side of the visitor's gate for my wife. Almost everytime she has mentioned that she had been met with some disdain from the immigration officer at the gate.

If you are married to a US citizen how do you both enter the UK?

avanutria

We tried it a variety of ways and almost always met with disapproval. I think for the UK we settled on going through separately, but I had a UK spousal visa, not a tourist visa. If I were on a tourist visa I would probably try going through the non-EU line with my (UKC) DH.

When entering the US for the last time before DH's green card came through, I was told (somewhat forcefully) that I should bring my foreign spouse with me through the citizen line. I believe the officer said "You should stay together because you are married, and your US passport trumps any other line."

sir_eccles

We always have a friendly race, convincingly won last time because Manchester has those automatic gates that scan your chip and stuff. I do recall the wife has on occasion had to point at me and make it clear she wasn't intending on staying and that yes she knew the rules.

pTeronaut

Yea, when re-entering the US for the 1st time with my wife and my k-3 visa, the CIS officer suggested that next time I enter with my wife through the citizen line.

It reminds me of the 'The Connells' song "Back In Blighty"

pTeronaut

It has been Manchester that we've entered from the US everytime so far. It will be Heathrow this time because the prices from Chicago to MAN have gone through the roof, and we plan on visiting London anyway, despite our first stop being North Yorkshire.

hobbes79

We go through together. As for line selection of GB or foreign... whichever is shorter

Never had a complaint from them. Almost always go through Heathrow.

pTeronaut

What passports? Will the EU/UK gate accept a non-EU/UK passport coming in for vacation if accompanied by UK passport holding spouse?

Bluegrass Lass

We enter through Glasgow or Edinburgh, and I've always gone through the citizen/EU line with my OH on my US passport. The one time I didn't, the Immigration Officer told me I should have gone with him through the other line. Now granted, it has been about 3 years since we've been back to the UK so I don't know if procedure has changed.

Coming into the US, hubby always went through the citizen line with me (since he had his green card).

Bob

Yes

Moonshadow_Girl

We traveled to Heathrow right before Christmas. I am the USC and this was our first time back as a married couple. DH proceeded to the EU line while I went through the non-EU line. I literally whizzed through with a couple of questions, (traveling with anybody, purpose of trip). Line moved so fast, my feet kept moving. An "enjoy your stay" and I was on my way. I had to wait about 10 min for DH to make it through the EU line.

Married2abrit

Going to visit husband's parents we usually go through Manchester and I have always gone through the non-EU line and I think I have beaten my husband every time (he goes through the EU one). I always just say I'm visiting my in-laws and haven't had any problems. On the way back to the US he comes with me in the citizen line (10 year green card).

pTeronaut

That's funny, I've always had to wait for my wife as she goes through the non-EU line at Manchester whilst I sail through the EU line.

IcedGem

Our last visit we went through Heathrow, I went EU, husband went non-EU. I was sat waiting about 10-15 minutes for him.

When asked the purpose of the visit and he said visiting his wife's family all he got was an "I'm sorry!"

Jerseygirl

At Christmas my daughter's Canadian fiance entered the UK with us. The IO let him through but said in future he has to go through non EU immigration.

chopper40

My OH always went through the non-EU line in Edinburgh and I'd wait for her. I would usually hang around just inside the exit corridor and when immigration asked my wife "Is your husband traveling with you?" She would say "He's behind you". This sometimes was met with a smile from the immigration officer.