UK Transit Visa Needed?
Aug 2, 2018, 12:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2
UK Transit Visa Needed?
Hey Guys - would really appreciate some clarity here.
I am planning to travel from Mumbai to New York JFK via London Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic - Code Share with Jet Airways. The 2nd leg of the flight (LHR-JFK) is from a different terminal.
So basically I would be changing from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3, so would I need a transit visa? I have a valid B1/B2 US visa. Jet Airways wouldn't tell me if I need one and I can't seem to get through to the Virgin Atlantic customer care here in Mumbai.
I am planning to travel from Mumbai to New York JFK via London Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic - Code Share with Jet Airways. The 2nd leg of the flight (LHR-JFK) is from a different terminal.
So basically I would be changing from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3, so would I need a transit visa? I have a valid B1/B2 US visa. Jet Airways wouldn't tell me if I need one and I can't seem to get through to the Virgin Atlantic customer care here in Mumbai.
Aug 2, 2018, 12:29 am
#2
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IMO there really are at least two questions here:
Whether the British authorities will require a transit visa
--AND--
Whether the airline(s) with which you check in in Mumbai will permit you to check in and board without a transit visa for the UK. It might matter whether VS, Jet Airways, or some airport contract staff are handling the flight departing from India. If you have a RT ticket, there's the same question regarding checking in and boarding the VS (?) flight from JFK to LHR, assuming the same routing in reverse.
Whether the British authorities will require a transit visa
--AND--
Whether the airline(s) with which you check in in Mumbai will permit you to check in and board without a transit visa for the UK. It might matter whether VS, Jet Airways, or some airport contract staff are handling the flight departing from India. If you have a RT ticket, there's the same question regarding checking in and boarding the VS (?) flight from JFK to LHR, assuming the same routing in reverse.
Aug 2, 2018, 1:18 am
#5
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no need for a uk transit visa as long as you have a valid us visa....the transit between terminals will be by bus....just follow the signs at the airport....
Aug 2, 2018, 9:54 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
The rule is, you need a transit visa (even though you are staying airside, and even though no one will check when you are at LHR) UNLESS you have a valid, current US visa. For example, on your return, if your US visa has expired you will need a UK transit visa.
No one will check at LHR, but the airlines are required to enforce the rules at boarding.
In an important matter like this, you should not trust random FT members, and you should not ask some random phone agent at Jet Airways. You should get your information directly from the relevant authorities. It is very easy to find the relevant web page: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
No one will check at LHR, but the airlines are required to enforce the rules at boarding.
In an important matter like this, you should not trust random FT members, and you should not ask some random phone agent at Jet Airways. You should get your information directly from the relevant authorities. It is very easy to find the relevant web page: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Aug 2, 2018, 1:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
What's your point?
Note that visa validity is not the same as I-94 validity (duration of permission to stay in the US). See, e.g. https://www.immihelp.com/visitor-vis...-visa-faq.html
Aug 2, 2018, 2:01 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
It is also not the same as passport validity. Or library card validity for that matter.
His B1/B2 visa is valid and he is in direct transit from India TO the USA. Ergo, he does not need a transit visa for the UK. Everything else just confuses the issue.
His B1/B2 visa is valid and he is in direct transit from India TO the USA. Ergo, he does not need a transit visa for the UK. Everything else just confuses the issue.
Aug 10, 2018, 7:46 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
Regarding points raised by SeeBuyFly:
1) As most people might already know, legality of ability to stay in US is governed by date stamped by immigration officer, US visa is useless once legal entry into US is completed. Now assuming situation where OP is returning from JFK to BOM via LHR before expiry of I-94 but after original visa has expired, does OP really need UK transit visa? (Doesnt make practical sense. What happens if UK denies transit visa. Wait until US forcefully deports you?)
2) IMHO, practical data-points from "random" people (neither Keyser nor B747 can be called random though
)) are LOT MORE useful and reliable than official web-sites from real world situation point of view. In fact, thats why most of us post queries here. (Trying to reach airline call centers and then trust their answer may not be advisable in such complicated issues)
1) As most people might already know, legality of ability to stay in US is governed by date stamped by immigration officer, US visa is useless once legal entry into US is completed. Now assuming situation where OP is returning from JFK to BOM via LHR before expiry of I-94 but after original visa has expired, does OP really need UK transit visa? (Doesnt make practical sense. What happens if UK denies transit visa. Wait until US forcefully deports you?)
2) IMHO, practical data-points from "random" people (neither Keyser nor B747 can be called random though
)) are LOT MORE useful and reliable than official web-sites from real world situation point of view. In fact, thats why most of us post queries here. (Trying to reach airline call centers and then trust their answer may not be advisable in such complicated issues)