My experience of the dreaded immigration at London – Heathrow

With tickets to Edinburgh, researching on the Internet, I discovered that for entry into the United Kingdom we would do immigration in London, on our connection, as is usual on flights connecting there.

There is no point in coming from another European country, you will need to go through immigration again.

The documents presented

That's when my concern began with all the horrible stories of Brazilians being blocked from immigration in London, sent back to Brazil with their vacations frustrated and a huge financial loss.

I gathered all possible documents that were advised to prevent this from happening, everything that proved our ties with Brazil and our intention to return:

• University and microentrepreneur statement
• credit card bill
• Marriage certificate
• All receipts for hotels we would stay at and tours we would take
• Return tickets to Brazil, of course.

We put everything into the so-called “pasta” and got on the plane in Guarulhos, heading to Heathrow!

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The Landing Card

Once on the plane, they give us the Landing Card, a card where we record our travel information: length of stay, address where we will stay, occupation in Brazil.

At immigration, the agent will request the Landing Card along with the passport, but you can still repeat the questions already answered on the card.

Immigration in London

When we arrived at London, there were two paths to follow: those who were connecting to other countries, outside the United Kingdom, and just needed to follow the flow to the departure lounge, and those who would make the immigration in London, who would stay there or were connecting to countries within the United Kingdom, our case.

We then went to the queue immigration. As it was very big, and our connection was less than two hours, and we still had to go through the metal detector, we spoke to one of the officers, who put us in the preferential queue.

What we were asked

In this line, there was an officer in training, with another officer next to him, instructing him on how he should interview us. Maybe that was the reason they asked us more questions than they could ask, but it was very calm, and I'll try to summarize in dialogue how this interview went.

– What is the purpose of your trip?
– Tourism.
– Ok, how many days will you stay in the UK?
- Seven.
– Can I see hotel reservations?
– Of course.
– Right – check the reservations – And what do you intend to visit?
– The Castle, the Highlands, Glasgow…
– Ok. What do you do in Brazil?

We basically explain each person's work and study occupation. He didn't ask to see my college certificate, nor my microentrepreneur account.

At the end, he asked how much money we were taking, and we said the amount in cash and the international credit card. He didn't ask to see either of them, but it could happen, and it's common to happen, so never, under any circumstances, lie!

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Stamped passport

And that was it! After the question about the money, he took the stamp and took a truck off my pessimistic back. There was our stamped passport with a six-month visa to enter the United Kingdom!

The interview may have seemed a bit long, but it went very smoothly. They were super friendly, and the officer who was assisting our interviewer even had a quick chat with us.

It wasn't intimidating or anything. It may have been luck, as there are several stories about serious and frowning interviewers, in addition to reports about the dreaded little room. But for those who are traveling with everything in order, the risk is minimal!

The documents required are few, but it's a good idea to always bring extra, because they may ask to see it, and if you don't have it, you may miss the chance to pass more quickly.

So keep in mind: take everything that proves your link with Brazil, be it a letter from the boss, pay slip, property deed, declaration that you are attending University.

Also bring proof of all tourist programs What you will do: Train or plane tickets between countries, tickets to museums, shows or attractions in general, in addition to hotel reservations.

Good luck and have a good trip!