I was denied entry in the UK - is my visa cancelled?

Question

Recently, I went to the UK, and I have a multi entry, unaccompanied UK Child Visitor Tourist Visa. I went to the UK alone. However, when I reached the UK, the officer denied my entry because when he called my hotel, they told him that they cannot accept a 17-year-old alone. I didn't check the hotel policy, so that was my mistake.

He told me to book another hotel, but I couldn't find any hotel accepting a 17-year-old alone. After that, he told me to book a return flight, and I did. After that, he just wrote "elected to embark 23/04/24" on my passport and handed my passport to me. They didn't do any paperwork in front of me, and they didn't give me a single piece of paper. They just checked my visa, and after that, they just left me in the transit area. I don't think they did any documentation because they didn't give me any paperwork.

So, is my visa canceled, or is my visa okay? Please tell me what "elected to embark" means. Is it good because I think the officer was trying to help? I am worried about my visa.

Answer 1

Is my visa cancelled?

No. Your visa is not cancelled. You would have been given paperwork and the visa in your passport would have been stamped ‘Cancelled’

… or is my visa ok?

Your visa is ok providing you follow the applicable entry rules the next time you travel to the UK

Standard Visitor visa - If you’re under 18

You may visit the UK if you’re under 18 and:

• you’ve made suitable arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK
• you have written consent from your parent or guardian to travel to the UK (if travelling alone)
• you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey
• you have enough money to support yourself without working or getting help from public funds, or you have family and friends that can support you

Pay particular attention to the rules on Travelling alone, which state (amongst other requirements)

Your parent or guardian will need to provide their:

• written consent for you to travel to the UK
• full contact details

They’ll also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:

• the name and date of birth of the person that you will be staying with
• an address where you will be living
• details of your relationship to the person who’ll be looking after you
• their written consent for you to stay with that person while you’re in the UK

Was I denied entry?

No. On arrival at the UK border you had a valid Visitor visa but you did not meet the rules for entry applicable to that visa. The Border Officer gave you the opportunity to try to meet the rules and be given permission to enter the UK, but you were unable to do so and chose (‘elected’) to withdraw your application for permission to enter and leave.

For the avoidance of doubt, you were not ‘removed at port’ or ‘deported’ (note the importance of correct terminology in Immigration matters). See Difference between deportation and removal for a full explanation.

Note: this event will have been recorded in your UK immigration history. If I were you, next time you apply for a UK visa I would err on the side of caution and disclose it in your application.

Answer 2

Your visa is NOT cancelled, so you can use it for future travel before it expires. Very few hotels will accept lone 17-year olds, however, so double-check that before trying again

Answer 3

I can understand this is stressful but to answer your question and for everyone else please refer to this document published by UK Govt here Inspection Border Controls

This page 23 states what is elect to embark is , point 4.67 states that it also means withdrawn by applicant , you have withdrawn voluntarily by not entering UK , now this has been recorded in the UK border control system so next time you take a flight they will see this and based on this a decision will be made!

Your visa is not cancelled for now, but you must book a Homestay , they might not have these 17 year old restrictions and try travelling with definitive arrangements

Others feel free to suggest if something is missing in my answer