Visiting Boyfriend in England from USA

Panic attacks, freaking out etc., but no links.
Just interested as to exactly what op had read, that's all.
I've been treated like garbage by immigration staff at both JFK & Miami airports, but never thought it justified to post about it in detail, as it was just so petty & bullying. Pretty much what op is probably going on about, nothing more.
Op.. Just tell the truth at the window, that's all you need to do. Forget what you've supposedly read or heard. If your paperwork is OK & you're not wanted by Interpol, you won't be refused entry.

Panic attacks, freaking out etc., but no links.
Just interested as to exactly what op had read, that's all.
I've been treated like garbage by immigration staff at both JFK & Miami airports, but never thought it justified to post about it in detail, as it was just so petty & bullying. Pretty much what op is probably going on about, nothing more.
Op.. Just tell the truth at the window, that's all you need to do. Forget what you've supposedly read or heard. If your paperwork is OK & you're not wanted by Interpol, you won't be refused entry.

Bad advice. It is entirely possible to say the wrong thing and be refused entry: travelling with much less money than a tourist would be expected to carry, and mention of a BF or GF can both be red flags. So too can be vague or no plans for what to see and do during the visit.

Fwoggie has posted the correct advice: if the OP does this and has the documentation available, she will approach Immigration confidently and probably not be asked to show anything. If she does nothing but panic then she is asking for trouble.

Fwoggie has posted the correct advice:

I still disagree that "full disclosure" is necessarily the best advice in the circs ... a more demure version is probably a better option, and more than likely to be sufficient.

Fwoggie has posted the correct advice:

I still disagree that "full disclosure" is necessarily the best advice in the circs ... a more demure version is probably a better option, and more than likely to be sufficient.

Yes, except that immigration officers do not look kindly on people who they think have lied to them. And of course she will not have hotel reservations, nor enough money to pay for them.

Yes but.

How often are regular punters asked to show their hotel/hostel reservations at entry (I mean if they are basically white, English-speakers, and not from Syria etc)? Almost never, I expect.

Interesting thread. I agree with telling the truth, not gushing, but also not being coy or evasive. If they start with the routine "purpose of your trip" I would respond "holiday." If they want more detail about who you are staying with, I think you should say "boyfriend." If you say "friend" and then they ask for more detail and you say "boyfriend" an officer MIGHT get annoyed and think you were being evasive initially.

Innocent-looking 19 year old girls are sometimes used as drug mules, they may ask who paid for your trip, whether anyone packed your bag, etc.

I think it would be good to have a credit card/ATM card with you, that way your available "funds" will not be limited to cash on hand.

Don't have anything in your luggage that makes it look like you are immigrating. Don't bring your baby photos, a year's worth of clothing, etc. Bring an appropriate amount of luggage for a 19 year old woman on a month long trip.

Also, keep in mind that it's possible (at least in US and Canada) that if it turns into a prolonged inspection the officers may ask to look at your phone, so don't have text messages on there about your plans to move to England.

Good luck, and please report back on your experience.

I think it would be good to have a credit card/ATM card with you, that way your available "funds" will not be limited to cash on hand.

As posted above, this will only help if you also have a bank statement showing the money available in the relevant account.

Well, for a credit card, you wouldn't need or have money in that account. But sure, they could ask how you're going to pay off the card. But having $50 + bank cards is better than just having $50.

Yes but.

How often are regular punters asked to show their hotel/hostel reservations at entry (I mean if they are basically white, English-speakers, and not from Syria etc)? Almost never, I expect.

Not very often... so long as they give confident answers to questions about where they are staying, and so forth. For the inexperienced traveller, that confidence comes from knowing that they have all the documentation available if asked.

Bad advice. It is entirely possible to say the wrong thing and be refused entry:

Of course it is, has anyone suggested anywhere that it isn't?
So basically: Don't say the wrong thing!
Ever so simples!