| Zim said: To address adinniken. That isn't strict of the UK at all. In fact I think nearly all MEDC's would do the exact same thing, yes even America. It's your own fault for when entering a country for a holiday stating that you are going to look for work. In most countries it is okay to enter on a holiday visa then if you by chance find work stay (although often it is required to simply briefly leave and then return on the new visa). So many people enter countries on holiday visas already knowing they will look for work/ have it lined up. However I thought every single person in the world knew that this is not something you mention to immigration. I remember a friend of mine going to Japan already knowing he had a job lined up, but on a holiday visa as they were going to do the visa on his arrival. When asked why he was visiting simply stated ''Holiday''. |
It was my first trip. I was trying to quantify my length of visit, because it was longer than a typical holiday. I had flights already scheduled and paid for my return trip. Non-refundable, non-transferable tickets. I wasn't illegally overstaying, they denied my entry because they feared it.
As for the others, with the exception of the one person who actually did all the right things, he was even still in school, but somebody somewhere at the school he was at didn't follow through with their responsibilities by the time he was aware of it, it turned out to be too late. I know someone here in the states who basically had the same thing happen, she's still here after 20+ years, owns her own business, has kids, a home, etc.
The musicians, it wasn't their fault. It was the fault of the promoter in the UK. He was responsible for them having the right paper work for entry and admitted so to them. The UK also doesn't require a work visa, it requires an entertainer (actor/artist/musician) visa.
The US does not require a visa for holiday or work, as long as the stay is less than 90 days. Again, we are a wee bit less strict than the UK. I would have been permitted in the US based on what I told the border agent.
My guess on Top Gear is they were concerned about the insurance, but ridiculous is ridiculous. If the show had a visa, then they should have been permitted without being stopped. If they came without a visa, it's still legal for them to work in the US for 90 days or less, so again they shouldn't have been stopped.
I don't think the UK is evil, or mean, but they are more strict than the US. Trust me. Even the border agents told me the laws had been tightened. It had nothing to do with 9/11, but everything to do with the UKs desire to keep people from staying.
I don't begrudge my captors, they were exceptionally nice people, but I would have preferred the opportunity to have my planned holiday. I did actually get to meet an honest to God Welshmen who spoke in a strong Welsh accent. None of that movie-type of Welsh. Admittedly, I'm glad I met him cause I didn't know what real Welsh was. Now I understand better how similar the Celtic people of the British Isles are.
