Do we need UK transit visas?
Jul 7, 2016, 5:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Dallas and Harare
Programs: AA-EXP 2MM
Posts: 143
Do we need UK transit visas?
I'm confused about whether we will be needing UK transit visas or not when making a connection at LHR. I'm flying the family who are holding Zimbabwe passports with valid US visitors visas JNB-LHR-DFW. We are going to do a short airside transfer from T5 BA to T3 AA.
Went to gov.uk website and it seems that we won't, but I would like to be 100% sure. Called BA and they couldn't give me a clear answer. Called AA and was told I most likely will not, but it would be best to contact the British consulate.
Thanks for any clarification that can be offered!!
Went to gov.uk website and it seems that we won't, but I would like to be 100% sure. Called BA and they couldn't give me a clear answer. Called AA and was told I most likely will not, but it would be best to contact the British consulate.
Thanks for any clarification that can be offered!!
Jul 7, 2016, 5:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 5,119
This should give you the information required however I would contact the British Embasssy to be 100% sure
https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa/dire...e-transit-visa
https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa/dire...e-transit-visa
Jul 7, 2016, 5:43 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: QRPC Platinum, KFEG
Posts: 999
There's also a lot of information on this StackExchange post:
http://travel.stackexchange.com/ques...over-in-the-uk
http://travel.stackexchange.com/ques...over-in-the-uk
Jul 7, 2016, 6:27 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
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These appear to be the relevant bits from Timatic:-
Code:
Visa, Health & Passport: Information as of 08JUL16 / 0024 UTC National Zimbabwe (ZW) /Embarkation Zimbabwe (ZW) Transit United Kingdom (GB) /Destination USA (US) United Kingdom (GB) TWOV (Transit Without Visa): Visa required, except for Passengers holding confirmed onward tickets making an airside transit at London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR) or Manchester (MAN) on the same calendar day to a third country (excluding Ireland (Rep.)).The following conditions must be complied with: - passenger must arrive and depart by air; and - passenger only intends to transit through the United Kingdom; and - passenger must hold all documents required for the next destination; and - passenger must not leave the transit area; and - passenger travels with a document listed in the following warning(s): - ***Warning*** Passengers may make an airside transit if holding a valid entry visa issued by Australia, Canada, New Zealand or USA. (SEE NOTE 57398) NOTE 57398: E-visas or e-residence permits are only accepted for airside transit when the airline is able to verify it with the issuing country. ... - OR: Visa required, except for Passengers holding confirmed onward tickets passing through United Kingdom immigration to make a landside transit to a third country on a flight that departs before 23:59 the next day. The following conditions must be complied with: - passenger must arrive and depart by air; and - passenger must have no purpose in entering the United Kingdom other than to pass through in transit; and - passenger must hold all documents required for the next destination; and - passenger must pass through United Kingdom Immigration; and - passenger travels with a document listed in the following warning(s): - ***Warning*** Passengers may make a landside transit if holding a valid visa which allows entry into Australia, Canada, New Zealand or USA and traveling as part of a journey to, from or transit through the country that has issued the visa. Landside transit is not available 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). ... Additional Information: - Valid visas in expired travel documents are accepted if accompanied by a new travel document. - There is no passport control on traffic between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland (Rep.). - Leave to remain issued by Guernsey, Isle of Man or Jersey, which are in the form of wet ink stamps, are also valid for entry into or transit through the United Kingdom. ...
Jul 7, 2016, 7:15 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Dallas and Harare
Programs: AA-EXP 2MM
Posts: 143
This should give you the information required however I would contact the British Embasssy to be 100% sure
https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa/dire...e-transit-visa
https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa/dire...e-transit-visa
Jul 7, 2016, 7:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
Make sure that the both BA and AA are booked on one booking reference; i.e. not two separate tickets. Otherwise, BA will not onward check your luggage for the AA flight at LHR. You have no ability to go landside to retrieve and recheck the bags.
Jul 7, 2016, 7:25 pm
#7
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Why wouldn't they fall within the second part of the Timatic information, allowing for passing through the UK immigration border without visas?
Sep 1, 2016, 12:32 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 158
OP have you transited/traveled yet? If so could you share your experiences?
I too am transiting through the UK on my way back home to the US (though I'm an Indian national) and will have to overnight as well as switch airports.
I too am transiting through the UK on my way back home to the US (though I'm an Indian national) and will have to overnight as well as switch airports.
Sep 1, 2016, 5:35 pm
#9
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You need to use the link in post #2 to verify if you need a transit visa or not.
Sep 1, 2016, 7:43 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 158
Thanks UKtravelbear I do meet the criteria required for the exemption, namely that I have a confirmed ticket leaving the UK before 23:59 the day after I enter, and am a permanent resident of the US. My query as to his experience was to understand what the immigration experience was like for him, and whether he was successful in transiting without a visa.
Apr 17, 2017, 9:24 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
So, I'll chime in - it looks like few people come back to report about their TWOV experience. I assume that means it works fine - but if anyone wants to report back some specifics I'd appreciate it. In this case TWOV will be for a Thai citizen with a US permanent resident card on an overnight connection at LHR (but that's probably not as relevant)
May 19, 2017, 2:17 am
#14
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: Travel
Posts: 3
You normally don't need the visa for short transit given is the same flight booking for different carriers and operators.
One way to confirm is that from starting airport, your luggage should be booked for final destination.
One way to confirm is that from starting airport, your luggage should be booked for final destination.
May 21, 2017, 8:10 am
#15
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Location: Leeds, UK
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Obviously those people exiting landside at LHR some eligibility to enter the UK is required. However, even for passengers who remain airside during their transits some do require a transit visa, or at least have to fit certain requirements to be eligible for TWOV. Checking of this can be done using the linked posted up thread, or by using some of the freee public portals to the TIMATIC database.
