Which Queue to Join at Airport Arrival in the U.K.?
#16
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,535
Thanks everyone for the replies. It is good to have that confirmed.
For some reason I was getting paranoid that coming from North America would make the process/questions different.
I always enter on my Italian ID (as did she once) when flying from the EU but when flying eastbound I have just always shown my Italian or American passport out of habit. I might give the ID card a try next time just because I can LOL.
I got stopped at T4 once when they had the random exit controls working and showed my American passport, as I was flying to America, but my Italian ID card fell out of my wallet and the agent had a minor fit. My experiences entering (talking to you MAN) and exiting the UK have tended to involve the most "hassle" when it comes to the "western" countries so sometimes I just overthink it...so thanks again for the help!
*(Yes I know the USA is notorious for such things like hassle at entry but my Global Entry has helped with that. I enjoy the UK, lived there years ago, and am in no way casting aspersions.)
For some reason I was getting paranoid that coming from North America would make the process/questions different.
I always enter on my Italian ID (as did she once) when flying from the EU but when flying eastbound I have just always shown my Italian or American passport out of habit. I might give the ID card a try next time just because I can LOL.
I got stopped at T4 once when they had the random exit controls working and showed my American passport, as I was flying to America, but my Italian ID card fell out of my wallet and the agent had a minor fit. My experiences entering (talking to you MAN) and exiting the UK have tended to involve the most "hassle" when it comes to the "western" countries so sometimes I just overthink it...so thanks again for the help!
*(Yes I know the USA is notorious for such things like hassle at entry but my Global Entry has helped with that. I enjoy the UK, lived there years ago, and am in no way casting aspersions.)
#17
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,053
my country of origin does not allow dual nationality, and the Home Office does not lie if asked
Anyway, years ago, an Immigration official asked me why I didn't just get a UK passport.
I said, "Well, it costs time and money, police reports etc, I spend more than 180 days a year out of the country (which would have made me ineligible at the time), and my country doesn't allow dual-passports"
"Ah", he said, "But who would tell your country? We wouldn't - it's our business who we issue passports to"
#18
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,053
And ... coming in to ABZ from abroad, I join the non-EU/Norway queue with my landing card and always get processed before most of the EU queue.
Not so lucky at LHR T5, which I avoid whenever possible.
Widerře/SAS don't bother handing out landing cards on their SVG-ABZ flight so filling one out at the desk can slow me down but I usually keep a few in my pocket for that reason.
Not so lucky at LHR T5, which I avoid whenever possible.
Widerře/SAS don't bother handing out landing cards on their SVG-ABZ flight so filling one out at the desk can slow me down but I usually keep a few in my pocket for that reason.
#19
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
#20
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,560
(I've occasionally been asked where I've just arrived from, but that was usually when I was one of the first people off the aircraft and it seemed to be more a case of Immigration wanting to establish which flight they dealing with with rather than wanting to know where I had just been)
#21
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
My country of citizenship does (on occasion - e.g. if your passport has been lost , stolen or allowed to expire) request that you get written proof from the Home Office that you do not hold British citizenship. In fact, they have a standard form to this effect published on their London High Commission website, which they ask some citizens to get the Home Office to fill out
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,053
My country of citizenship does (on occasion - e.g. if your passport has been lost , stolen or allowed to expire) request that you get written proof from the Home Office that you do not hold British citizenship
#23
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North West England/MAN - originally the Steel City
Programs: BA Exec Club, LH Miles & More, AF/KLM Flying Blue, Le Club Accorhotels, Tesco Clubcard
Posts: 362
Just some feedback re: what is quoted on the MAN website re: use of the EU queue at http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/m...ntent/Arriving
My wife (Canadian with ILR) tried to do this this morning at MAN T1 (she had a screenshot of the website on her phone just in case) but the guy at the EU desk - although pleasant - said he couldn't process her as he didn't have a stamp! She was, to be fair, allowed to the front of the non-EU queue and processed quickly after that. I know this is in essence a "perk" but why advertise if it cannot be delivered?! I am going to e-mail MAN Customer Services to clarify position as it can often be a nightmare at non-EU MAN T1, especially if you hit the same time as the EK/EY/TK and morning TATL arrivals...
#24
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
For example, holders of a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the UK are definitely entitled to use the UK/EU/EEA queue at ports of entry, but this information never appears at those ports of entry, and there are anecdotal reports of such people sometimes being required to use the non-UK queue at one or two smaller British airports. (It makes complete sense that these people should use the same entry queue as British citizens, since they have exactly the same entry rights as British citizens and are not subject to any form of immigration control.)
Family members of EU/EEA nationals always seem to be a point of contention here, and obviously holders of indefinite leave to remain can be too. In these cases, whatever system is decided upon should be properly publicised and adhered to, imo.
#25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North West England/MAN - originally the Steel City
Programs: BA Exec Club, LH Miles & More, AF/KLM Flying Blue, Le Club Accorhotels, Tesco Clubcard
Posts: 362
I agree completely. I don't know why the full information can't be clearly displayed at ports of entry where there are separate queues and why "rules", once established, can't be applied consistently, at least within the one airport or port.
For example, holders of a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the UK are definitely entitled to use the UK/EU/EEA queue at ports of entry, but this information never appears at those ports of entry, and there are anecdotal reports of such people sometimes being required to use the non-UK queue at one or two smaller British airports. (It makes complete sense that these people should use the same entry queue as British citizens, since they have exactly the same entry rights as British citizens and are not subject to any form of immigration control.)
Family members of EU/EEA nationals always seem to be a point of contention here, and obviously holders of indefinite leave to remain can be too. In these cases, whatever system is decided upon should be properly publicised and adhered to, imo.
For example, holders of a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the UK are definitely entitled to use the UK/EU/EEA queue at ports of entry, but this information never appears at those ports of entry, and there are anecdotal reports of such people sometimes being required to use the non-UK queue at one or two smaller British airports. (It makes complete sense that these people should use the same entry queue as British citizens, since they have exactly the same entry rights as British citizens and are not subject to any form of immigration control.)
Family members of EU/EEA nationals always seem to be a point of contention here, and obviously holders of indefinite leave to remain can be too. In these cases, whatever system is decided upon should be properly publicised and adhered to, imo.
And don't get me started on landing cards for ILR holders - seems a total waste of time !
#26
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,053
And don't get me started on landing cards for ILR holders - seems a total waste of time !
Now I have the Biometric Residence Permit
, I have to use the non-EU/EEA queue anyway as they are they only ones at ABZ with the fingerprint scanner.
The whole rigmarole takes longer than before, and let's' not mention the five months the UKBA kept my new 2nd passport before issuing the card. I'd only sent it in to get the ILR stamp - I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition!
As one UK Immigration officer said to me at ABZ, "It'd have been better if they would just let you come and go on this card, but now you have two things to lose!"
I did forget it the first time I went abroad, and on my return they just typed in my details from my passport, found my file, and took my prints.
Russia, previously one of the worst offenders at entry paperwork, now has little printers at the entry desk and they just print out an landing card with your details which you sign.
#27
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: London, UK
Posts: 150
Moral of the story - (at least some) governments do share this info. Whether it's a pull or push, I can't say.
As an aside - nice to see folks have had their ILRs for ages. I thought I was in minority wanting to stick w/ my original nationality!
#28
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,053
Moral of the story - (at least some) governments do share this info. Whether it's a pull or push, I can't say.
I'd be interested in more detail on how your friend almost got denied entry.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 9,236
Not sure how outdated this info is, but please don't count on it. An acquaintance who had just naturalised as a British citizen flew to their home country (India) soon after the event on their Indian passport - and almost got denied entry. Apparently Indian authorities allow a grace period of three months to use the Indian passport and luckily for the acquaintance they were within that timeframe.
How could your acquaintance have been denied entry as an OCI individual?
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,481
For example, holders of a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the UK are definitely entitled to use the UK/EU/EEA queue at ports of entry, but this information never appears at those ports of entry, and there are anecdotal reports of such people sometimes being required to use the non-UK queue at one or two smaller British airports. (It makes complete sense that these people should use the same entry queue as British citizens, since they have exactly the same entry rights as British citizens and are not subject to any form of immigration control.)