Transit without visa
Jul 31, 2022 | 9:06 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Miles&more, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 540
You can do this in either direction, on separate or same PNRs. No problem at all. I’ve done this multiple times on Chinese passport which has the same UK rules for transit as for Indian passports.
the only exception is Qatar - QR will refuse to board you if you cannot enter the last destination on QR ticketed point as a final destination. As long as you don’t fly QR you are good.
the only exception is Qatar - QR will refuse to board you if you cannot enter the last destination on QR ticketed point as a final destination. As long as you don’t fly QR you are good.
Jul 31, 2022 | 10:56 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 5,144
You can do this in either direction, on separate or same PNRs. No problem at all. I’ve done this multiple times on Chinese passport which has the same UK rules for transit as for Indian passports.
the only exception is Qatar - QR will refuse to board you if you cannot enter the last destination on QR ticketed point as a final destination. As long as you don’t fly QR you are good.
the only exception is Qatar - QR will refuse to board you if you cannot enter the last destination on QR ticketed point as a final destination. As long as you don’t fly QR you are good.
I can also say having travelled with a Chinese national that Qatar have considered onward travel ticketed with BA when their own ticket ended at LHR. But that is a published Qatar policy.
YMMV.
Aug 6, 2022 | 12:55 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Miles&more, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 540
And I can assure you that whilst airlines might consider other separate tickets in their assessment of whether you have the right to enter your immediate ticketed destination or your separately ticketed final destination, contracturallly they only have to consider the journey you have presented on the ticket that they are operating. Anything else is a customer service gesture or possibly a customer policy.
I can also say having travelled with a Chinese national that Qatar have considered onward travel ticketed with BA when their own ticket ended at LHR. But that is a published Qatar policy.
YMMV.
I can also say having travelled with a Chinese national that Qatar have considered onward travel ticketed with BA when their own ticket ended at LHR. But that is a published Qatar policy.
YMMV.
Aug 10, 2022 | 1:01 am
#19
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
Update on my experience.
I had no problem checking in at JFK. The agent asked if I had a UK visa & I told him I was transiting on the basis of my US visa. No further questions were asked.
I landed in LHR & went for immigration. The officer asked me when my next flight was & I told him I had a booking for later that day as well as another one for the following day depending on his discretion to let me in. He said I was permitted to stay till midnight on the following day. So I went into the city, met up with some friends, stayed the night & left for CDG the next evening.
I had no problem checking in at JFK. The agent asked if I had a UK visa & I told him I was transiting on the basis of my US visa. No further questions were asked.
I landed in LHR & went for immigration. The officer asked me when my next flight was & I told him I had a booking for later that day as well as another one for the following day depending on his discretion to let me in. He said I was permitted to stay till midnight on the following day. So I went into the city, met up with some friends, stayed the night & left for CDG the next evening.
Aug 10, 2022 | 1:49 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: FB Platinum / MM Senator / BAC Silver
Posts: 1,660
Update on my experience.
I had no problem checking in at JFK. The agent asked if I had a UK visa & I told him I was transiting on the basis of my US visa. No further questions were asked.
I landed in LHR & went for immigration. The officer asked me when my next flight was & I told him I had a booking for later that day as well as another one for the following day depending on his discretion to let me in. He said I was permitted to stay till midnight on the following day. So I went into the city, met up with some friends, stayed the night & left for CDG the next evening.
I had no problem checking in at JFK. The agent asked if I had a UK visa & I told him I was transiting on the basis of my US visa. No further questions were asked.
I landed in LHR & went for immigration. The officer asked me when my next flight was & I told him I had a booking for later that day as well as another one for the following day depending on his discretion to let me in. He said I was permitted to stay till midnight on the following day. So I went into the city, met up with some friends, stayed the night & left for CDG the next evening.
Aug 10, 2022 | 7:24 am
#21
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
I had a quick 30 second discussion with the officer regarding this & he said that the US visa makes the transit eligible for almost everyone & the only reason they would deny entry is if the passenger was flagged in their system.
Aug 16, 2022 | 2:42 am
#22
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
I got back to DEL yesterday & this morning I get an email letting me know my UK visa has been approved & I need to submit my passport for stamping. 
They took 15 weeks to issue the visa & did so on the day after I got back from the trip where I was supposed to use it. Talk about timing.
They took 15 weeks to issue the visa & did so on the day after I got back from the trip where I was supposed to use it. Talk about timing.
Aug 16, 2022 | 10:32 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 5,144
I got back to DEL yesterday & this morning I get an email letting me know my UK visa has been approved & I need to submit my passport for stamping.
They took 15 weeks to issue the visa & did so on the day after I got back from the trip where I was supposed to use it. Talk about timing.
They took 15 weeks to issue the visa & did so on the day after I got back from the trip where I was supposed to use it. Talk about timing.
Aug 16, 2022 | 12:25 pm
#24
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
It is what it is. I have trips planned for October & December so I will be able to use the visa in the end but they definitely have to get their house in order.