Immigrationboards.com

I was reading account of this lady, and to me it seems that the border agency official is clearly crossing the line here since she is on ILR and normally resident in the UK.

So my question is legally what questions are UKBA staff allowed to ask me at the airport? and what happens if I decided I am being harassed unnecessarily and choose not to answer them? Where do I stand, assuming I have a valid ILR and passport, reside normally in the UK, and am willing to give my biometrics at the airport.

Since I have ILR denying me entry would effect my human rights?

The UKBA have the right to question all passengers.

yes UKBA has the right to question everyone.

I think this is just an exceptional case!!! the immgration officer might have mistook an ILR resident as a visitor maybe??? Or may be it's his/her first day on duty and was very enthusiastic?? could be any reason.

They can ask though, if it appears to be unreasonable you can complain. It sounds to me like the officer in the link was new.

They can and have a right to ask all these questions, if they have any doubts. I don't think it should be an issue to answer these questions.

If you have left the country for more than 2 years and don't have a strong connection with the country, you will be questioned at the airport. You may have to apply an entry clearance before travel.

wangxiaosara wrote:If you have left the country for more than 2 years and don't have a strong connection with the country, you will be questioned at the airport. You may have to apply an entry clearance before travel.

Thanks, but this question does not relate to that case.

Soon after my husband was granted ILR he was questioned by Border staff on re-entry after a short trip to his home country. They asked basic questions, i.e home/work address and kept him waiting for around 20 minutes while they checked their records. In the same way, Customs and Excise can hold and question anyone they choose.

28 Question , that a bit excessive, loool and question 7-8-9-11 and 18 what on earth!!! Are we suppose to remember the date of every single travel we make, and how dare they ask question 18

Yes that's why if something seems unreasonable you can complain. When my husband came back into the UK with his ILR BRP he was not questioned excessively, they just said 'you are married to a British woman?' he said yes and went through.

As per this document, ECO cannot revoke ILR. So I can be stubborn in answering them?

ECO can revoke visit visas, including long term visit visas.

If you want to be held up even longer...go ahead.

There have been a lot of sham marriages, and UKBA is just trying to be vigilant. I don't find anything weird with those questions.

I have been asked couple of times to translate questions from officers to the travelers, because they don't speak English and get stressed out. And they are standard boring qns: "why did you come here?" "Why are you traveling with your grandchild?" "how long has your daughter/son been living in the UK?" "do you often visit them?" etc etc
The more defensive you get, the more questions they start asking.

I personally think a smile goes a long way, I have never been asked anything apart from "did you have a good trip?" and "do you live in London?". Somebody asked me once if I enjoyed my course at Uni and said their child has applied to that Uni. That's it really...

TheGreenTea wrote:There have been a lot of sham marriages, and UKBA is just trying to be vigilant. I don't find anything weird with those questions.

I have been asked couple of times to translate questions from officers to the travelers, because they don't speak English and get stressed out. And they are standard boring qns: "why did you come here?" "Why are you traveling with your grandchild?" "how long has your daughter/son been living in the UK?" "do you often visit them?" etc etc
The more defensive you get, the more questions they start asking.

I personally think a smile goes a long way, I have never been asked anything apart from "did you have a good trip?" and "do you live in London?". Somebody asked me once if I enjoyed my course at Uni and said their child has applied to that Uni. That's it really...

I flew back into the UK recently and yes they still ask some weird questions although you have ILR (no longer under immigration control)

After doing my biometrics the immigration officer asked, "Where did you get the BRP card from? Huh I thought where else can you get a BRP card with 30plus seals and watermarks surely from your buddies at the home office??? I smiled as I thought this is surely some form of a joke but answered him none the less...the guy then smiled and said have a good day. I believe the random questions is to ensure you didn't get ILR by fraudulent means is my only conclusion.
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