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People seem to generally not understand how borders work. In most countries you are allowed to enter ENTIRELY at the discretion of the border control agent. If

People seem to generally not understand how borders work. In most countries you are allowed to enter ENTIRELY at the discretion of the border control agent. If they don't like the look of you, don't like your name, find something they think is suspicious, are in a bad mood or are being ridden by their boss, they can turn you around and put you on the next plane home, regardless of what bit of paper you're holding. There are obvious exceptions for citizen and diplomats, but that's generally how it works.

jpmoral 6y ago
Each country provides their own guidelines to border officers. How clear these are and how closely they are followed varies from country to country. Just because one country's officers apparently deny people entry on a whim doesn't mean that's what happens everywhere.
- hehetrthrthrjn 6y ago
  I was being a bit flippant but the fact is that you're always relying on the decision of the front line employee. Of course there are guidelines and decisions sometimes travel up the management chain, but the attitude of the first officer you meet can dictate the outcome. Here's an example: You decide spontaneously to travel to the UK from the US after having finishing a grueling contract. Your travel plans are a bit vague because of the short notice. You work on your CV on the flight with a view to your next job. The border control officer finds your lack of detailed travel plans suspicious. He decides to carry out a search of your luggage and finds your CV. He claims you are coming to the UK to seek work. You protest but you have no evidence to the contrary. You're refused entry and you will now find it difficult to enter the UK for at least 10 years. You can expect to spend 3 or more hours at the UK border each time you try to enter. Or, alternatively, none of this happens and instead the officer has a laugh with you about disorganised trips overseas and waves you in. These sorts of scenarios are very common. People should be aware of the peril of crossing borders and be informed and well organised.
  - jpmoral 6y ago
    Sure, I just wanted to point out that other places seem to have a much higher bar for denying entry to visa holders. A lot of the anecdotes in this thread would probably make the news if it happened in Australia, but seem to be unremarkable occurrences in the US.

jpmoral 6y ago

Each country provides their own guidelines to border officers. How clear these are and how closely they are followed varies from country to country. Just because one country's officers apparently deny people entry on a whim doesn't mean that's what happens everywhere.

hehetrthrthrjn 6y ago
I was being a bit flippant but the fact is that you're always relying on the decision of the front line employee. Of course there are guidelines and decisions sometimes travel up the management chain, but the attitude of the first officer you meet can dictate the outcome. Here's an example: You decide spontaneously to travel to the UK from the US after having finishing a grueling contract. Your travel plans are a bit vague because of the short notice. You work on your CV on the flight with a view to your next job. The border control officer finds your lack of detailed travel plans suspicious. He decides to carry out a search of your luggage and finds your CV. He claims you are coming to the UK to seek work. You protest but you have no evidence to the contrary. You're refused entry and you will now find it difficult to enter the UK for at least 10 years. You can expect to spend 3 or more hours at the UK border each time you try to enter. Or, alternatively, none of this happens and instead the officer has a laugh with you about disorganised trips overseas and waves you in. These sorts of scenarios are very common. People should be aware of the peril of crossing borders and be informed and well organised.
- jpmoral 6y ago
  Sure, I just wanted to point out that other places seem to have a much higher bar for denying entry to visa holders. A lot of the anecdotes in this thread would probably make the news if it happened in Australia, but seem to be unremarkable occurrences in the US.