U.K. and Ireland - Heathrow TWOV Visa Help..

Im an egyptian citizen so im a visa national also my country is in the DATV system So im going to be on the TWOV concession, i Booked my ticket from cairo to washington Dulles and i will be transiting in heathrow
my layover time will be 20 hours bec. i always wanted to visit london and i have a cousin there havent seen her for 5 years!..so i have few questions:
1-i know that the TWOV is at the discretion of the officer so if the officer refused my entry to the UK ,Can i stay at the airport or they will return me to egypt?!
2-i have a valid US visa and all the documents needed for TWOV ,Is there any problem with british airways about transiting without visa?..
3-i have my cousin in london and she will send me a letter to show to the officer that im going to stay at her place that night,can anyone help me with the content of the letter?
4-if the officer asked me "why you didnt book less layover time " ,what should i tell him?
Thanks alot..I rlly neeed your help as i dont want to return to my first point i will loose alot of money ! and sorry for my bad english..:)

1. That is also at the discretion of the officer. I would say it is likely you would get locked up in a holding room for the layover and sent on to the USA the next day.
2. As long as you have all your documentation, BA shouldn't have an issue.
3.
[KVS Availability Tool 6.9.9.R2/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements] (http://www.KVSTool.com/)
National Egypt (EG) /Embarkation Egypt (EG)
Transit United Kingdom (GB) /Destination USA (US)
ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

[Visa Information - Transit] United Kingdom (GB)

[Information For Normal Passports]
Visa required, except for Holders of an Olympic Identity and
Accreditation Card (OIAC) which contains a visa waiver number
(800xxxxxx with x representing an alphanumeric digit), issued
to an Olympic Family member.
Visa required, except for Holders of a Paralympic Identity and
Accreditation Card (PIAC) which contains a visa waiver number
(800xxxxxx with x representing an alphanumeric digit), issued
to a Paralympic Family member.
TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Visa required, except for Passengers who may be granted
permission by the Immigration authorities to enter the United
Kingdom, for a stay not exceeding 24 hours.
The following conditions must be complied with:
- passengers hold confirmed reservations for an onward flight
within 24 hours; and
- continue to a third country; and
- have no purpose in entering the United Kingdom other than to
pass through in transit; and
- hold all documents required for the next destination.
- ***Warning*** Nationals of Egypt may only use this
administrative concession (TWOV) above if holding:
- a visa which allows entry into (or transit through)
either Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA; and
- holding a valid ticket for travel from a third country or
territory via the UK as part of a journey TO (or through)
Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, whichever the
visa is applicable to (e.g.: DEL-LHR-JFK, DEL-CDG-LHR-JFK,
DEL-LHR-CDG-JFK or DEL-LHR-JFK-MEX).
OR:
- a valid visa for entry into Australia, Canada, New
Zealand or the USA; and
- a valid airline ticket for travel via the UK as part of a
journey FROM the country in respect of which the visa is
held to another country or territory.
OR:
travelling as part of a journey FROM either Australia,
Canada, New Zealand or the USA, provided transiting the UK
less than 6 months after the date they last entered
Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA with a valid visa
for the respective country, even though the visa may have
expired at time of transit through the UK (e.g.:
JFK-LHR-DEL, JFK-CDG-LHR-DEL or JFK-LHR-CDG-DEL).
NOTE: this DATV exemption is not applicable if holding a US
Visa Foil type "YY" or "ZZ" endorsed "Not a visa. Foil
prepared at DHS request" nor the US Adit stamp worded
"Processed for I-551" (temporary form I-551).
- ***Warning*** Nationals of Egypt may only use this
administrative concession (TWOV) above if holding a valid
common format Category "D" visa for entry into an EEA
Member State [[TIRGL/EEA]] or Switzerland.
Additional Information:
- Full details on the OIAC: [[TIDFT/GB/VI/AI/ID47263]]
- Full details on the PIAC: [[TIDFT/GB/VI/AI/ID47265]]
- There is no passport control on traffic between "Great
Britain & Northern Ireland" and "Ireland (Rep. of)".
[[TIDFT/GB/VI/AI/ID42984]]



[Health Information] United Kingdom (GB)

No vaccinations are required to enter the United Kingdom from
any country.

[Visa Information - Destination] USA (US)

[Information For Normal Passports]
Passport required.
- Passports issued to nationals of Egypt must be valid for the
period of intended stay.
Passport Exemptions:
- Holders of a Form I-512 ( Authorization for Parole of an
Alien into the United States").
- Holders of a Temporary or Emergency passports.

Visa required, except for Holders of a Form I-512
( Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United
States").
Minors:
- Children, up to/incl. 15 years of age, excluding nationals
of the USA and nationals entitled to travel under the US
Visa Waiver Program (V.W.P.), are allowed to travel on their
parent's passport. A person included in the passport of
another may not use the passport for travel unless he/she is
accompanied by the bearer.
Additional Information:
- Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to
cover their stay and documents required for their next
destination.
- A passenger may enter the USA with a valid visa in an
expired passport, provided [[TIDFT/US/VI/AI/ID42974]]
Warning:
- Return/onward ticket is required to travel to the USA. (SEE
NOTE 46524)
NOTE 46524: Exempt are holders of a valid US visa.



[Health Information] USA (US)

No vaccinations are required to enter the USA from any
country.

Warning:
- Those entering on a K-1 or K-2 visa must hold a medical form
FS398 and X-ray plates of chest (full size not necessary).
To facilitate handling upon arrival considerably, passengers
are advised to have these health documents ready in their
hands as they must have them at hand for the health control,
which takes place immediately after disembarkation.

CHECK [[TINEWS/N1]] - LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC and PARALYMPIC GAMES
(INCL. ADDITIONAL INFO FOR IRELAND (REP. OF))

09 May 2012 / 18:37 [UTC]

If the purpose of your entry into the United Kingdom is to visit someone, then you are classed as a visitor in transit and not a direct airside transfer user. You are still able to use the transit without visa concession, but again it is at the border officer's discretion. I can't advise you on what your cousin should write.
4. Tell the truth. If you make something up it almost certainly will get figured out and you will be on the next flight to CAI. Remember the presumption will be that you intend to vanish and not take your flight on to the USA, so you have to rebut that.

Thanks alot for your help :),i would prefer being locked up than returning to cairo bec. that will ruin my trip to the USA which will cost me fortune ! :S
So in the rules its written that i have to show my immigration papers to the US in my case its a tourist visa and will be residing in my aunt's house so Should i bring anything other than her address and citizen's copy?? Thanks alot for your help..:)

Yes, BA in CAI and the UK border agent at LHR will be very interested in your US entry documentation, including where you're staying.

i think i will give it a try :) but if im refused to enter
can i kindly tell the officer to lock me up in a room or leave me in a terminal ? bec. i rlly dont want to return :S! i have alot of plans to do in USA

If the officer is not prepared to grant you limited leave to enter as a visitor in transit, you can request that you be removed by the flight you have booked to the USA. It's up to the officer whether he agrees or not.

You are prima facie eligible for the TWOV concession, but your circumstances may warrant a closer inspection.

You should consider the following points :

a) There has been a huge rise in the number of Egyptian nationals overstaying and/or claiming asylum in the UK in recent months. Expect additional scrutiny as a result.

b) You have stated that you intend to stay with a family member. As stifle notes, this technically makes you a visitor-in-transit rather than a pure TWOV concessionaire. This may count against you.

c) Your previous travel record will be very important. If you have previous refusals for UK/Schengen visas, this will count against you. If you have previous uneventful visits to EU countries, it will bolster your bonafides.

My personal view is that you will likely NOT be granted the TWOV concession based on the details provided here, but that you will either be permitted to continue in continuous airside transit to the USA (if other flights to the USA are available that same calendar day), or else granted conditional entry (your passport will be retained by immigration) with the condition that you reside at a specific address and report back prior to your confirmed departure time. It is not likely that you will be held in an immigration detention center unless you have a previous record of immigration violation or are considered likely to remain in the UK illegally.

It is also highly unlikely that you will be returned to Egypt as you did not actually apply for admission to the UK, but rather for an administrative concession to enter the UK. As a result, denial of the concession should simply result in permitting you to continue your original journey in continuous airside transit.

Thanks alot for your replyy :))
I travelled to greece before but the Visa in my mother's passport so that will help me i think also i hadnt been refused to take any visa before and i only have a US visa in my passport,when i contacted British airlines they told me that the officer wont let me go out bec. after the revolution many egyptians escape but they told me maybe yes maybe no,i can tell him that i wont visit anyone and i will book a hotel ? or do u think its beter to tell the truth and get a letter from my cousin ? Please reply i need help in this subject :S!..Im going Saturday to book the tickets and there is an Immigration's laws expert in the travel agency i will have my final desicion there before i book but tell me your opinion..

Tell the truth :)

I would either tell the truth (as stifle said), or forget about visiting your cousin. As previously pointed out, it's technically against the rules and it could count against you. If you decide to take the risk to stay with your cousin then you need to be honest about it, you must never lie to an Immigration officer because the consequences could be dire.

Tell the truth. The worst that will happen if you tell the truth is that you will be denied the TWOV concession and you will continue your flight to the USA without further hassles. If you are caught in a lie though, you will be detained and returned to Egypt, as well as blacklisted in SIS which will pretty much deny you visas to the UK and other EU countries for a long time.

Thankss alot Guys for your help =) I Really appreciate it,
one last thing ,I will bring my Aunt's Address in the US that im going to live in it for my vacation and her citizenship
Do i need anything else (letter,etc..) ?

Thankss alot Guys for your help =) I Really appreciate it,
one last thing ,I will bring my Aunt's Address in the US that im going to live in it for my vacation and her citizenship
Do i need anything else (letter,etc..) ?

A letter from her confirming that she will accommodate you and proof of the funds which you will spend during your stay can't hurt.

I would either tell the truth (as stifle said), or forget about visiting your cousin. As previously pointed out, it's technically against the rules and it could count against you. If you decide to take the risk to stay with your cousin then you need to be honest about it, you must never lie to an Immigration officer because the consequences could be dire.
To the OP: Not sure that it's necessary not to visit your cousin, but to be honest it would be more helpful if you were staying in an hotel, even an inexpensive one, or at least had a valid booking for one.

To the OP: Not sure that it's necessary not to visit your cousin, but to be honest it would be more helpful if you were staying in an hotel, even an inexpensive one, or at least had a valid booking for one.
This is what I'm thinking. Maybe see about a cheap Travelodge room, as they can be had for very little sometimes. Don't ever, ever like to an immigration agent. However, if you have a hotel booking and onward flight ticket, I don't think you're going to get an agent nosing into what you'll be doing during the x hours you're waiting for your onward connection. You're then free to do what you like during the period. Depending on when your flight from CAI arrives, you could also consider booking a hotel that could be cancelled after clearing immigration, but that won't work so well if you don't get to the UK until close to the hotel's cancellation deadline.

I Found a hotel called 639 hostel ,its very cheap and i can afford it (17 Sterling for the night) So i think i will book it ,So im going to book it and i wont say that i will meet any family member,But i dont knw why a person going to the USA would escape and stay in the UK which has tough laws abt assylum and all those stuff ! but nevermind :D,Tomorrow im going to book the Trip So Should i do that and take the risk ? im ok if they took my passport and let me in london and im ok with staying in the airport for 22 hours but im nt ok with returning to egypt! :D I will hate UK for the rest of my life if they did that ! ...Thanks alot all for your helppp..i started to love flyertalk :D i found it frm google and its great :D..^

Ultimately there is nobody on this forum who can offer you a guarantee that you will be permitted to board your flight to the UK, enter the UK, or continue to the US rather than being removed to Egypt. We can offer, and have offered, advice on the steps to take to help minimize the risks of any of those happening. But the ultimate decision on whether to book and travel has to be yours.

Thanks stifle,I contacted the travel agency and they are going to send my passport to the worldbridge and i will get a Visitor in transit Visa for my visit as i dont want any turbulence in my trip...im going after tom. to give them my documents, i will give them My tickets,Letter from my cousin,the Online application Is there anything i hv forgotten ? :) Thanks alot for your helppp..

Anybody here :D? please tell me the documents i need..

I'm no expert on immigration matters but I've read the following website.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/guidance/ecg/vat/vat8/

According to this website you need: "documentary evidence that the earliest onward passage from the UK has been booked, and that it is within 48 hours of arrival".

You said you would be flying on British Airways and have 20 hours' layover. The only British Airways flight from CAI to LHR I can see arrives in LHR at 11:45 and there are two afternoon flights to IAD you can catch. So your onward travel from the UK won't be the earliest available. If you are arriving on BMI flight which is also sold as British Airways flight, it arrives at 21:00 so there is no flight until the next day to IAD. You will have to pick your flights carefully.

The website also says: "People who wish to enter the UK for a short period, for example to visit relatives or do business, before continuing their journey to another country, do not qualify as visitors in transit." So it looks like you cannot use this visa if your purpose is to visit your cousin in London.

I'm no expert on immigration matters but I've read the following website.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/guidance/ecg/vat/vat8/

According to this website you need: "documentary evidence that the earliest onward passage from the UK has been booked, and that it is within 48 hours of arrival".

You said you would be flying on British Airways and have 20 hours' layover. The only British Airways flight from CAI to LHR I can see arrives in LHR at 11:45 and there are two afternoon flights to IAD you can catch. So your onward travel from the UK won't be the earliest available. If you are arriving on BMI flight which is also sold as British Airways flight, it arrives at 21:00 so there is no flight until the next day to IAD. You will have to pick your flights carefully.

The website also says: "People who wish to enter the UK for a short period, for example to visit relatives or do business, before continuing their journey to another country, do not qualify as visitors in transit." So it looks like you cannot use this visa if your purpose is to visit your cousin in London.
I think they are referring if your purpose is just to visit a relative or do bussiness but my purpose is transit and i will stay at my cousin's place not just to visit him ,i dont knw :S ! ,i checked the documents check list they just wanted Airline tickets,passport and application ..please anyone help us in this subject ? can i get a letter from my cousin to admit it for a visitor in transit visa?

I think they are referring if your purpose is just to visit a relative or do bussiness but my purpose is transit and i will stay at my cousin's place not just to visit him ,i dont knw :S ! ,i checked the documents check list they just wanted Airline tickets,passport and application ..please anyone help us in this subject ? can i get a letter from my cousin to admit it for a visitor in transit visa?
If that's what the document checklist says that they want in the way of documents, then that's presumably what they want. If your travel agent is submitting the application on your behalf, they will be able to check that your documentation is sufficient, perhaps?

I'd keep the hotel booking that you have made (or looked at); that would avoid any need for a letter from your cousin.

If that's what the document checklist says that they want in the way of documents, then that's presumably what they want. If your travel agent is submitting the application on your behalf, they will be able to check that your documentation is sufficient, perhaps?

I'd keep the hotel booking that you have made (or looked at); that would avoid any need for a letter from your cousin.

Aha :) ok
so if i booked the hotel my chance to get the visa will be better than a letter from my cousin ? even if the hotel costs 17 British pound!? Wont he think its very cheap to stay in :D?

Aha :) ok
so if i booked the hotel my chance to get the visa will be better than a letter from my cousin ? even if the hotel costs 17 British pound!? Wont he think its very cheap to stay in :D?
I don't really know – perhaps not, since you're no longer relying on the TWOV provision.

Obviously one of the main things that the authorities are worried about (sensibly or not) is the risk that the person will "disappear", i.e. not depart as planned and simply stay in the UK. (I suppose they have good reason to worry, in a way, since this is not an uncommon scenario.) I was simply thinking that they might be more inclined to worry about that at the point of entry if it is obvious that you have relations in London and that you will be staying with them. That said, this is probably more of a "risk" for young, impecunious travellers, of which I don't think you are one. (Well, you might be young, but i don't think you are entirely without money. :))

But in reality, I don't know. Perhaps it's best to stick to your original plan. Perhaps too we are all at risk of "over-thinking" the whole thing.

Perhaps it's best to stick to your original plan. Perhaps too we are all at risk of "over-thinking" the whole thing.

If the goal is simply to transit the UK while en route to the USA, and seeing the family member is a bonus, then the original plan is the best option. Provided no other circumstances exist that you have not shared here, you have a high likelihood of your plan succeeding.

If the goal is to see the family member and this is an important reason for making the transit via the UK, I would recommend applying for the class B "Visitor in Transit" visa or otherwise a class C "Family Visitor" visa.

As a caution however, if you are denied the visa for whatever reason, you will become ineligible for the TWOV concession. You will still be eligible for the DATV waiver concession as your US visa will be valid, but you will have to remain airside.

I think the OP has decided to go down the route of applying for a visa. The question is now whether to keep his hotel booking (cheap as it is) or stay with his cousin and get his cousin to write him a letter. It probably really doesn't make much difference for the purposes of the visa application, and I'm sorry I raised it in a way: I think I've just created more confusion. [Apologies!]

It probably really doesn't make much difference for the purposes of the visa application

He has to declare all relatives in the UK as part of his visa application anyway, so there is no real difference.

He has to declare all relatives in the UK as part of his visa application anyway, so there is no real difference.

i Booked the tickets today with 23 Hours Transit Time
Also I booked Hotel for one day So the question here is
When i apply for the visa should i give them for the accomodation:
1-Hotel confirmation paper
2-Hotel confirmation + Letter from my cousin stating that i will meet her
3-Letter from my cousin stating that i will stay with her?
Thats what i need to know :) But i think the 1st option is the best bec. Being with relative is more suspicious than being in a hotel..So whats your opinion if u were me?

I think the OP has decided to go down the route of applying for a visa. The question is now whether to keep his hotel booking (cheap as it is) or stay with his cousin and get his cousin to write him a letter. It probably really doesn't make much difference for the purposes of the visa application, and I'm sorry I raised it in a way: I think I've just created more confusion. [Apologies!]

No dont be sorry :D you are helping me in my trip..
So i decided to apply for a visa because British airways warned me that the officer will return me to egypt bec. egyptians disappear after going out of the airport even if they are going to the USA,So i just need to be sure from my documents that i will apply with..

Another problem ! UK Websites are really annoying!
While Submitting my application after i choosed visitor in transit i found this notice :Contrary to its title "visitor in transit" you may NOT visit the UK, this visa is solely for the purpose of changing airports i.e. London Heathrow to London Gatwick. Sightseeing, shopping, visiting friends and/or family is prohibited...
but when i went to see the UK border agency to find the requirements i found this :http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/transit/documents/
In the bottom of the page there is a question of visiting someone ?! I won't write or say that im visiting anybody i will jsut say that i will be at the hotel till my next flight in the morning but really how can a visitor in transit not go shopping or sightseeing ?! Is the Visa4uk websit not updated or what ? my travel agent told me that the visitor in transit dont have to be for changing airports only!? I need help here :S

Why are you applying for a "Visitor in Transit" visa? B747-437B who I trust knows what he is talking about has advised (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18560332-post25.html) against applying for a visa if your goal is to transit the UK while en route to the USA, and seeing the family member is a bonus. And why have you booked flights with a layover of 23 hours in LHR? You don't need 23 hours to travel into London and see your cousin.

I choosed to apply for a visa so as not to be at the Discretion of the officer bec. he can refuse my enter to the uk
and i booked with 23 layover time to be able to go sight seeing and rest before my second flight,I dont trust the TWOV concession so i decided to pay more and apply for a visa
But now i dont know which visa to apply for !

If the goal is to see the family member and this is an important reason for making the transit via the UK, I would recommend applying for the class B "Visitor in Transit" visa or otherwise a class C "Family Visitor" visa.
Also my main reason for transiting in the UK is to See lodndon and spend the day with my relative so i choosed the 2nd option he said bec. i trust him too but i want his reply..

Again
The question Now is
1-Am I Eligble to the Visitor in transit visa As i wont change any airports
i just have a hotel booking for one day that i will stay in and i will ONLY Admit to the ECO the hotel booking for my accomodation As i wont stay at my cousin's place..?

*I Choosed to Have a Visa because i was warned two times from British Airways
that Egyptians Are returned From the UK even if they meet the TWOV Requierments So They Advised me to Apply for A Visa but While Submitting my Application in the Visa4uk Website i found a notice that says Visitor in transit visa Is only for Changing airports..so can i apply for it If i will stay at a hotel for the 23 hours and i wont change airports ?..Thanks Alot All for your help ^

If you must apply for a visa, consider the Class C "Family Visitor" category. If you were able to satisfy the requirements for a US B1/B2 visa, you should have very little problem establishing bonafides for the this category with the addition of family ties.

There is really nothing to worry about. We have made this very confusing by discussing vague technicalities. Apply for the visa, fly to London, enjoy your day there visiting your relative and then fly onward to the USA! Simples. Hundreds do this every day without any problems. :)

Yes i know that its simple but Am I Eligble for a visitor in transit if i wont change airports ? :)

Yes i know that its simple but Am I Eligble for a visitor in transit if i wont change airports ? :)

Yes. You can use a Visitor-in-Transit visa for overnight stays that arrive/depart from the same airport. Or indeed for intermodal connections (arrive via air, depart via train/ferry).

Then Why when i start to do my visa application in this website (https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk)i get this important notice after i choose visitor in transit and Here is a picture
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3582/27471869.png
So B747-437B I really trust your opinion bec. you say the same as my travel agent But I will be going to him next week so i want to make sure im right..I hope the picture make the problem clear..^ I appreciate your advices..