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How long to clear immigration at LHR?

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How long to clear immigration at LHR?

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Old Apr 18, 2022, 11:56 am
  #1  
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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How long to clear immigration at LHR?
Hi All,
I'm collecting somone on the AC flight from Toronto tomorrow at 06:35 (Tuesday 18th April). Pre COVID, it used to take between 40-60min for them to come out of the terminal after landing. I'm wondering if things have changed and if so, how long should I expect to wait?
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 12:16 pm
  #2  
 
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Highly variable based on when you arrive and what flights arrive at the same time you arrive. The eGates have been online a while now and there no longer appears to be fast track on arrival for AC J passengers.

My last trip I was through the eGates in about 15 minutes (March 31).
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 12:23 pm
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On 17FEB22, I was through the eGates within 5 minutes of queuing. From wheels down to the Renaissance was less than 1 hour.
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 12:26 pm
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In Feb i was out of plane, thru the egates and on the tube platform in about 20 mins. Took 5 mins for the lineup at the egates. Obviously need a canadian passport to use the egates. Or some other passports that are accepted. We arrived at 7am.
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 12:37 pm
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I don't think I've ever had anything taking longer than five minutes using the eGates at LHR. Even with a lineup for the next available eGate.
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 12:53 pm
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Took about 40 minutes last week on the YVR flight from deplaning, through immigration egates, collecting checked baggage and walking through customs.
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 12:54 pm
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Originally Posted by shuckit
Took about 40 minutes last week on the YVR flight from deplaning, through immigration egates, collecting checked baggage and walking through customs.
So what was the rate limiter?
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 12:55 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Mrs. PITUK flew last Wednesday and the egates were out of commission. Took over an hour. Sounds like that's pretty unusual though.
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 12:57 pm
  #9  
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Thank you all.
I'm not sure if they will use the egates but I know they have luggage.
Would I be right in thinking that things are the same now as they were pre-covid?
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 1:01 pm
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Was there exactly 3 weeks ago, landing from Toronto.

Its a long walk, but was through the Egates within about 20-25 minutes of door opening.

Add another 10 minutes for checked bags (could vary), and I was out in 30-35 minutes from when the door opened.
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 1:04 pm
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Originally Posted by Plumber
Its a long walk
It always is, even with that (super slow) people mover!
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 5:48 pm
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What is the eligibility for using eGates? Can all Canadians use them?
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 6:02 pm
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You can normally use eGates if you:
  • have a biometric symbol on the cover of your passport
  • are aged 12+ (12 to 17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult)
  • are either:
    • a British citizen
    • a national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA
    • a member of the Registered Traveller Service
Those travelling with ID cards cannot use the eGates.

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...-quicker-entry
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 6:58 pm
  #14  
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If the eGates are working, getting into the UK takes minutes.
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Old Apr 18, 2022, 7:04 pm
  #15  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Basically it seems to come down to luck. My last flight to Heathrow in March parked right next to border control. Used the E gates and was in the Heathrow Express within 7 mins of doors opening.
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