Need advice for UK Customs

For Canadians living / traveling in the UK

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bethlee77CanuckAbroad Regular
Topic author
Posts: 45
Joined: 3 May 2007
Location: Edinburgh

Need advice for UK Customs

Post Wed May 23, 2007 12:41 pm

HI There.

I have been in the UK (Scotland) for a few weeks now. When i entered the country and met with customs, they were quite rude and harrassed me, asking me ridiculous questions, such as how much money do i have in my bank account, why am i here if the school year finishes next month (i'm a teacher), why do i have a new passport, etc. Anyways, he finally stamped my passport and i'm good to be here for 6 months however, he said that i have to leave on my given day (June 2). It doesn't make sense but that's another story.

Anyways, the point i'm getting to is that i have booked a trip with my boyfriend (who lives here) leaving on Sunday for 4 days in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. I"m just wondering if i'm going to have problems leaving and re-entering Scotland again. I don't want to have to go through that harrassment again from customs. I have a stamp to be here for 6 months but i don't know exactly what that means. Any have any suggestions or have been through the same thing?

Thanks!
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AngelKiriCanuckAbroad Regular
Posts: 66
Joined: 29 Aug 2006
Location: North West England

Post Fri May 25, 2007 8:50 am

I know they can be quite blunt & rude here depending on who you get at customs & immigration, sucks but thats life. First time I came here with my UK Visa stamped in my passport, customs in London Heathrow were very blunt & quite rude to me too, raising his voice and repeating questions very patronising and condescending. in the end though I got my Visa stamped with the entry clearance.

I've travelled back to Canada twice since arriving with my 4 year Visa and not had any further problem with customs. Both the flights had stop overs in different European countries. One flight stopped over in Paris, the other in Amsterdam, not been questioned (and certainly not had as rude treatement, maybe thats because they were direct flights from Manchester, Londoners seem to be in a class of their own *lol*) or had any problems leaving or re-entering the UK. So long as your flight out & return flight back are within a week or so of expiry of your Visa, you should be fine.

Of course with the heightened nervousness about international travel & high level of security, there's always the chance of being picked out & picked on but keep your calm and make sure you have all your documents on your person while travelling & you should be fine :)

Bon voyage!
I LOVE KD :-D
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