Which Queue to Join at Airport Arrival in the U.K.?
Nov 27, 2015, 6:33 am
#46
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Not true, I am a Swedish national and have been asked about Point of origin as well as Duration and Motive of my stay (yes, in the EU line). In fact, on one occasion, in Addition to my ID Card the (female) officer wanted to see another ID doc - I then showed my UBS bank card. She asked why I had a Swiss bank account. I explained that I live and study in Switzerland. She asked what I study and after replying "computer science" I was let through.
Been to the UK 10 times (entering at Gatwick each time), and was asked about Point of origin 5 times, and 3 times I was asked about Duration and Motive of my stay.
Been to the UK 10 times (entering at Gatwick each time), and was asked about Point of origin 5 times, and 3 times I was asked about Duration and Motive of my stay.
Now, upsetting an immigration officer might just slow your entry into the country a little more than just ignoring me in the street, so it's not necessarily the best plan, but eventually they would have to let you through.
I have only refused to answer a question once when re-entering the UK (as a British Citizen, so therefore I was on much stronger ground), which was the officer asking me where I'd arrived from. It was just after UK Border Force had removed the Iris machines, so my previous couple of times through had been somewhat longer than I thought necessary and I wasn't in the best of moods anyway. I told her three times I did not have to tell her and wasn't going to help given they had not helped me. She gave up and let me through.
Note that legally you do have to answer a UK Customs Officer's question - that's an entirely separate matter.
Nov 27, 2015, 8:24 am
#47
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Do you have a biometric passport? If so, the fastest choice is to use the E-gates. No lines and no questions. In my experience anyways.
Nov 27, 2015, 8:34 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
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An immigration officer can ask you anything, just the same as I could. That doesn't actually mean you have to answer!
Now, upsetting an immigration officer might just slow your entry into the country a little more than just ignoring me in the street, so it's not necessarily the best plan, but eventually they would have to let you through.
Now, upsetting an immigration officer might just slow your entry into the country a little more than just ignoring me in the street, so it's not necessarily the best plan, but eventually they would have to let you through.
I have only refused to answer a question once when re-entering the UK (as a British Citizen, so therefore I was on much stronger ground), which was the officer asking me where I'd arrived from. It was just after UK Border Force had removed the Iris machines, so my previous couple of times through had been somewhat longer than I thought necessary and I wasn't in the best of moods anyway. I told her three times I did not have to tell her and wasn't going to help given they had not helped me. She gave up and let me through.
Nov 27, 2015, 5:30 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
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Posts: 102
I have nothing against being asked questions; it's only good that they're diligent about protecting their borders. What does bother me is Standing in the Queue.
That's why I wonder if it is allowed for me as an EU national to stand in the non-EU line?
In Ireland, it's EU vs. NON EU and in the UK, at least at Gatwick, it is "UK/EU passports/EU ID Cards" vs. "All other passports". That's why I ask myself whether using the "All other passports" line is allowed in case it is shorter
Last edited by Crazydre; Nov 27, 2015 at 5:51 pm
Nov 28, 2015, 12:36 am
#50
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A friend of mine was once stuck at the non-EU desk for over an hour answering questions about her status (which in my view should not have happened).
Nov 28, 2015, 4:15 am
#51
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Location: UK
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[/QUOTE]
Nov 28, 2015, 10:48 am
#52
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Surely if standing in the queue bothers you, you should just start bringing your passport with you? It seems like doing this would solve your problems. Millions of other people do it.
Technically you should be at UK airports. Most people don't know this, but you can stand in whichever line you want and they will have to process you anyway. A non-EU citizen can go to an EU desk and be processed there. The agent may not be happy about it, but they cannto refuse you.
Technically you should be at UK airports. Most people don't know this, but you can stand in whichever line you want and they will have to process you anyway. A non-EU citizen can go to an EU desk and be processed there. The agent may not be happy about it, but they cannto refuse you.
Nov 28, 2015, 10:54 am
#53
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Non-EEA people routinely enter with their EEA spouses, of course, and only the most churlish of border guards would turn them away. I would imagine it would be literally unheard of.
Nov 28, 2015, 12:33 pm
#54
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Interesting. Well if you saw it happen then I'm sure it did, but I have been told the contrary by border guards. I am sure it was posted here somewhere before as well.
Non-EEA people routinely enter with their EEA spouses, of course, and only the most churlish of border guards would turn them away. I would imagine it would be literally unheard of.
Non-EEA people routinely enter with their EEA spouses, of course, and only the most churlish of border guards would turn them away. I would imagine it would be literally unheard of.
On the other hand entering the US, mixed US and EU families can use the US citizen queues.
Mar 8, 2016, 3:22 pm
#55
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UK equivalent of Global Enrollment/NEXUS
I queued for more than an hour last week in the non EU lane at LHR. Lots of ads for the UK equivalent of NEXUS/Global Enrollment.
I looked into this and fees are outrageous! NEXUS is $50 US for 5 years, while the UK program is 70 GBP for one year.
Why do they need their own program? Why not join GOES/NEXUS?
I looked into this and fees are outrageous! NEXUS is $50 US for 5 years, while the UK program is 70 GBP for one year.
Why do they need their own program? Why not join GOES/NEXUS?
Mar 8, 2016, 8:10 pm
#56
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I queued for more than an hour last week in the non EU lane at LHR. Lots of ads for the UK equivalent of NEXUS/Global Enrollment.
I looked into this and fees are outrageous! NEXUS is $50 US for 5 years, while the UK program is 70 GBP for one year.
Why do they need their own program? Why not join GOES/NEXUS?
I looked into this and fees are outrageous! NEXUS is $50 US for 5 years, while the UK program is 70 GBP for one year.
Why do they need their own program? Why not join GOES/NEXUS?
We have a thread on the subject here. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...sitors-uk.html
And it's Ł50, not Ł70 per year.
Mar 8, 2016, 10:08 pm
#58
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I suppose, but the general attitude of the UK government is "if you can't afford to come here, go somewhere else". London isn't exactly suffering from a lack of visitors.
Jan 23, 2017, 4:54 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
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Posts: 102
As mentioned above, it is very rare (in my experience) for the non-EU lines to be emptier than the EU lines. But if they are indeed emptier, then there is no rule or otherwise that I am aware of that would enable the immigration officer to turn you away or make you go to the EU line. If that happens, I would seriously raise this with the chief immigration officer.
hope this helps
hope this helps
Last edited by Crazydre; Jan 24, 2017 at 2:33 am
Jan 24, 2017, 2:35 am
#60
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Done this a number of times now, at Heathrow T2, Luton and Gatwick. No issues whatsoever. However, on my two most recent entries, both at Stansted (where the EU queue was packed, and the non-EU queue empty), I got scolded.
Here's what happened yesterday at Stansted
Here's what happened yesterday at Stansted