Detained at Airport UK

Reasons for Detainment at a UK Airport

The UK immigration officers can detain you at a UK airport even if you enter the country with appropriate documents. The major reason for the detention of travellers at UK airports is when it’s believed they won’t comply with the conditions of their leave. Some common reasons for detainment at a UK airport include:

Previous Detainment

If you were previously detained, you may still be held up at a UK airport. Even if you were initially allowed into the UK after being detained, your detainment will be recorded. This can cause delays to your subsequent entries into the country. You must answer all questions correctly and calmly if you’re held up for questioning due to a previous detainment.

Incomplete Documentation

You may risk detention, if you don’t have complete documentation, including having an expired visa. Your purpose of entering the UK will determine the visa type and documents you must provide. For example, if you’re entering the UK for visitation. You should have a valid Visitor Visa and if required, a letter of invitation from a UK-based person. You must be able to fully convince immigration of your purpose of visitation, with supporting documents.

This supporting document will convince the UK immigration officers that the UK-based person will accommodate or support you during your stay in the UK or that you have onward travel plans and a documented itinerary for your visit. To avoid detention, your travel documents must be complete and valid.

Periods of Overstaying

You may get into trouble at customs if you visited the UK previously and refused to leave the country when you should have. The Home Office may overlook your case if you overstay in the UK for up to 28 days and leave the country within that period. But if you remain in the country beyond 28 days, it will be taken into account against you at the border.

It is better to comply with the immigration rules and leave the UK when you should. You may be banned from entering the UK, if you previously overstayed and left the country after 30 days. This ban can last from 1 to 10 years.

Security Concerns

You may be detained if the UK immigration officers believe your entry into the country will threaten public safety and morals. Having prohibited items in your luggage can raise security concerns. You’ll be detained if you have indecent and obscene materials, explosives, weapons, smoke canisters, and other prohibited items in your luggage.

Visiting the UK and Re-entering Shortly After

Non-visa nationals can enter the UK visa-free and stay for up to 6 months. Because of the privilege of entering the UK visa-free, some non-visa nationals in the UK will travel to another European country and re-enter the UK to renew the 6 months allowance.

This singular act can raise concern about your travel pattern and lead to detention. Although you can leave and re-enter the UK shortly, you must confirm your intentions as a well-meaning traveller to the immigration officials.

No Onward Travel Plans

Another major reason for detainment at UK airports is the absence of onward travel plans. The absence of a return flight ticket suggests you don’t wish to leave the country. If you cannot provide the return flight ticket, you can prove your intention to leave the UK by presenting evidence of your ties to your home country.

At every point of your detainment at UK airports, ensure you cooperate with the immigration authorities. Do not falsify information. Provide accurate answers to the questions you may be asked.

it’s crucial to seek legal advice from professional immigration lawyers at IAS to help you resolve your detainment. Call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or message us online for immediate assistance.

Consequences of Being Detained

If you have been detained at a UK airport, your entry to the country will be delayed. Also, you may experience difficulty entering the country in the future because your previous detainment will be on record. This will require the UK border force to always double-check you to ensure immigration rule compliance. You may be searched, interviewed, or deported by the immigration officers.

Procedure Upon Detainment

If the immigration official detains you, you must adhere to the airport detention process UK. The immigration officers will re-evaluate your circumstances and aim of entering the country. The following can happen when you’re detained:

Biometric Information

Once you are detained at a UK airport, your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) will be taken. The biometric information is not required from non-visa nationals. However, individuals who need a UK visa are required to submit biometrics to enter the country.

You should comply with the UK immigration rules and regulations because your data could be shared with other countries. Failure to comply with the immigration rules can cause you to have a bad record. This can affect your entry to other countries.

Thorough Bag Searches

The immigration officers will inspect your bags thoroughly to ensure you’re not hiding any prohibited item. If you’re a well-meaning traveller with nothing to hide, this inspection won’t matter and shouldn’t take little time.

Interview by Immigration Officers

If the immigration officers call you in to answer questions, it’s in your best interest to provide accurate answers. They may ask questions to know the amount of money you have in your bank account. They may also want to know your travel plans in the UK. Or they may ask you any other question about why they had to scrutinise your entry into the country.

Deportation from the UK

The answers you must provide during the interview should convince the immigration officers. You cannot continue your travel if they don’t believe your answers are true.

You will be taken to a detention centre or deported back to your home country on the next available flight. Occasionally, immigration officers grant travellers 1 week (temporary entry) to gather more evidence to clear themselves from immigration issues they have.

Your Rights During Detainment

Asylum seekers or other immigration rule defaulters can be subject to detainment by immigration officials. The individuals about to be detained must be issued a Notice of Detention form which explains the reason for their detention. Here are your rights during detainment:

• You have the right to access legal advice from a professional immigration lawyer
• You can refuse to sign any document until your immigration lawyer arrives
• You have the right to receive guests
• You can request bail if you have stayed in the United Kingdom for more than 8 days
• You can obtain a financial conditioner supporter when requesting bail
• You can decline to answer questions about the behaviour of others
• You have the right to obtain mental health or religious support
• You have the right to file a complaint if you are maltreated in detention. File your complaint in the Independent Monitoring Complaint Box. This complaint box can be seen in each removal centre in the UK
• You have the right to access the medication you are currently taking, including any other medical care. If you don’t have your medication, it will be provided for you. Immigration detainment is case-specific. The immigration officers won’t risk your safety if you need medication
• You have the right to request an administrative review from a high court. You can do this if you believe you’re being detained unjustly
• You have the right to see your bail hearing through a video link. This is because you’ll probably be physically absent from the hearing

Actions to Take if Detained by UK Immigration

• If the immigration officer detains you, remain calm and cooperate with the immigration authorities. Correctly answer all questions you’ll be asked to the best of your knowledge. Don’t lie to the immigration officers
• To show cooperation, obey all instructions and directives. But refuse to sign legal documents you don’t understand. You will be provided with a phone, which you’ll use to contact your family to let them know you’re in detention
• If possible, note down the warrant numbers of the examining officers, everything that happened, the questions you were asked and the answers you provided. You must do so for future reference. You must consult an expert immigration lawyer to resolve the issue promptly and continue your travels

Your best option might be to contact an immigration lawyer, especially if you or your family member is being held for more than a few minutes. We can help you find a solution, including facilitating an immediate release.

Our immigration lawyers at IAS are always ready to help you or someone you know by providing advice and support. We will provide legal support and guidance. Call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or fill out our online contact form for immediate assistance.

Duration of Detainment by UK Customs

If the UK immigration authorities detain you, they may take you to a reporting centre or a short-term detention facility. After that, they can take you to a longer-term detention facility if your case is still ongoing. Depending on your situation, they may immediately take you to a longer-term detention facility without a temporal detention.

The Heathrow Airport UK detention centre is one of the biggest detention estates in Europe. However, there are other detention centres in the UK. There is no exact timeframe for the release of adults from detention in the United Kingdom.

The only exception is the detention of minors and adults who could be at risk if detained (except in unique cases). Also, pregnant women must be set free after 72 hours of detention. While detained, you can ask for bail after staying for more than 8 days.

We have an office in Heathrow and can help you immediately. We also have other offices around the UK, close to the airports. Contact us now.

How Can IAS Help?

Getting detained at the UK airport by immigration authorities can be frustrating. This detention can ruin or delay your travel plans as it may be indefinite. One of the UK airport detention rights you can exercise whilst under detention is to consult an immigration lawyer.

An immigration lawyer will represent you and help to resolve your immigration case while you’re in detention. Our immigration lawyers at IAS can help you or any detained person you know to solve any immigration issue.

You can call our immigration lawyers over the phone, and they will conduct an advice session with you and analyse your situation. Depending on what’s best for your case, they may visit the airport or detainment centre to facilitate the release of the person who’s detained. Additionally, they can help you apply for immigration bail and guide you in the appeal process. Lastly, our immigration lawyers can represent you if your case is brought before the Tribunal.

Our offices are located in major cities in the United Kingdom. We can get to you quickly and help you solve the immigration issue to regain your freedom. For more information on how we can assist you, contact one of our immigration lawyers on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or message us online.