Visiting girlfriend/boyfriend in UK

So during Thanksgiving, i went to UK to visit this girl I know who lives there (who by the way is NOT a British Citizen, she's from another European country but legally works and studies in England). When I was at the UK border control at the airport, the Immigration Officer asked me 'Is there any relationship between you two', to which I denied. (This was after he asked me if I'd be meeting up with any one there). And I pointed out that she is not a british national. He then proceed to check my return ticket, the proof of my studentship in my home university, etc. He also went as far as asking how we met each other. He asked me the question 'is there any relationship between you two? are you just friends?', in total THREE times before he finally ended the conversation and let me through.

So can someone explain to me what's the big fuss about this?? What IF she is my girlfriend? What if in the future I find myself in a situation that I am entering the UK to see my girlfriend? Will I be denied entry? Also, she's not even a British national, so why would the IO even care?

Thanks for clearing this up for me, for future reference

Hey beckett,

Believe me it's not just you who this happened to. They want to check that people don't do something against the law. In other words say your there on holiday visiting a friend or partner and staying there illegally. I had this explained to me when i visited my boyfriend as well... Don't worry they wouldn't deny you entry as long as you kept your reply's short and to the point. Don't get to chatty with them cause they might get suspicious unfortunately . They won't deny you entry if you said you were visiting a boyfriend or girlfriend either so don't worry. They are very... cautious at the border so they take extra precautions but definately can understand why it bothers you though, it definately got me nervous when i was detained for a bit when i went to visit my boyfriend to..

I had the exact same questions!

When you arrive as a visitor, you have to show that you meet the requirements for the visitor status, which are basically:

-you intend to visit the UK for no more than 6 months (or 12 months if you will be accompanying an academic visitor);
-you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit;
-you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds, or you and any dependants will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends;
-you can meet the cost of the return or onward journey.

The thing is if you come to the UK in order to visit a girlfriend/boyfried, Immigration Officers may think that you don't really intend to leave after 6 months and that your real intention is to stay with your boyfriend/girlfriend. That's why they asked you several times if you were in a relationship.

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