Its an old chesnut asked many times but I'm looking for up to date info. I have overstayed my visa by 10 years or more. I plan on turning myself in and returning to UK. I plan going the court route as opposed to paying the 20k at immigration. The issue is one of timing. If I have a ticket and turn myself in too late I may miss the flight. If I give myself ample time (eg 1 week) then I spend longer in IDC which is clearly undesirable. And if I wait till court deportation order to get ticket then there may also be delay in getting flight asap given I obviously want cheapest flight.
The question is how to time it.
1. Who/where does one turn oneself in to. Can it be done at the court so as to get a hearing immediately.
2, How much is the court likely to fine me.
3. What is the time between handing myself in and court appearance then court judgement and free to travel.
4. Is it possible (I heard from fried in similar situation years ago) to pay tea money and get out of IDC then return to be escorted to airport.
5. Anybody know of cheap lawyer who can help arrange so time spent in IDC is a minimum. The ideal would be go court in morning and fly out that evening.
6. Does the embassy offer any help in these case like the lawyer in above point.
7. Any way to avoid being blacklisted.
I'm hoping for some definitive answers rather than "I would think" ones. Thanks in advance.