debt affect on uk entry from Australia

[centennial]

Hi there,

 

Let me start by saying I hope I have posted this in the correct area, I narrowed my options down to two and ran with this one!

 

Firstly, I have a UK debt with two high street banks and one high street shop chain. I would think total debts are around the £10,000 mark. I am working through my options as to what I can do about clearing this.

 

Secondly, I am flying to the ROI via Heathrow this year from my home country of Australia and was concerned as to whether I might encounter any visa issuing problems as I pass through UK Customs? I have read quite a bit on this matter and have found a variety of answers which has led to my concern and confusion on the matter.

 

Any information on the UK Entry query would be much appreciated. I would also like to say a general thanks to the contributors on this forum as there is some great information and very thorough answers being left!

 

Thanks again.

[citizenB]

You are indeed in the correct forum.

 

I wouldn't have thought there would be any entry problems simply because you have outstanding debt ? What makes you think this is likely ?

 

I will try and find someone who will be able to answer this for sure.

[centennial]

Hi, thanks for the speedy response. I have a found a variety of links that reference issues with NHS debt which I do not have.

 

A similar search led me to the dreaded 'wikitravel' reference that states - If you have more than £1,000 of unpaid debt in the UK, that is not in good standing, you cannot be issued a visa or granted entry until the debt is paid or satisfactory arrangements are in place to pay it. The only info I can find relating to this can be found at point 8.6 in Annex D: The good character requirement - UK Border Agency (sorry i cannot post links as of yet).

 

I do think this may link directly to citizenship applications rather than a visitor visa but I wanted to be sure!

[dx100uk]

don't think civil debt of any level stops anyone travelling or residing anywhere

 

only criminal matters

 

dx

[centennial]

Hi Dx,

 

Yes I had read that on a few forums etc but noone seems to be able 100% confirm it. It would certainly ease the panic thoughts of flying 24 hours to be turned around!

 

Thanks for your time.

[dx100uk]

if you are coming here from aus then def no issue at all

 

dx

[unclebulgaria67]

Hi Dx,

 

Yes I had read that on a few forums etc but noone seems to be able 100% confirm it. It would certainly ease the panic thoughts of flying 24 hours to be turned around!

 

Thanks for your time.

 

There is no debt register at UK airports. If you had committed serious criminal offences and were found guilty in any court, then this might appear on registers at countries borders in ports. There are countries in the world where debt can be a criminal issue e.g. Dubai and if you had debt in such a country, trying to get back into Dubai, might be via the airport Police station.

[centennial]

Thanks Uncle B, I will approach the gates with a much reduced sense of anxiety!

[theoldgit]

When you enter the UK the Immigration Officer swipes your passport and it is checked against the Warnings Index, the Warnings Index has details of arrest warrants, suspected terrorists and those who have been previously removed from the UK, so unless you fall into any of these categories you have nothing to worry about.