Connecting through UK when between UK visas

Connecting through UK when between UK visas - Purple Foot Bridge

My friend is a Canadian citizen and currently in the UK on a Tier 5 Youth Mobility visa. This expires at the end of July. She has obtained a place at a UK university and that course starts in mid-September. Her Tier 4 Student Visa would therefore start a month before then, in mid-August. It is clear that she must be out of the country between her two visas.

Her plan is to go back to Canada in about mid-July in order to sort out her student visa (you cannot apply for the student visa in the UK while on a Youth Mobility visa). In early August she would fly to somewhere on mainland Europe before returning to the UK for when her student visa starts.

The only issue is that she will need to get a connecting flight in the UK on her way back from Canada to Europe. Will it be an issue with UK Immigration that she is in between visas when she tries to connect flights in a British airport?

This paragraph from Heathrow's website seems to say that she will have to go through immigration but that it should be fine if she has an outbound booking and sufficient documentation.

Please note that it is a Border Force requirement that all passengers entering the UK must present themselves to Immigration at the first port of call. Therefore it is important that your passport/visa allows you entry into the UK. You can apply for a 24-hour visa on arrival. This is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer, who must be satisfied that you have a confirmed booking of onward travel within 24 hours.



Best Answer

If you are on a single ticket and going international-international then you do not go through immigration. Check http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/flight-connections/terminal-2-international-connecting-to-terminal-2-international for a same terminal example or http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/flight-connections/terminal-5-international-connecting-to-terminal-3-international for a multiple terminal example.




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Quick Answer about "Connecting through UK when between UK visas"

  • residence permit.
  • green card.
  • valid visa.


  • Do I need a visa if I am transiting through UK?

    You're going through UK border controlApply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you'll be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. You'll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if: you need to stay longer in the UK. you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK over a longer ...

    What is the time gap between two visits to UK?

    The maximum duration of stay in one standard visit is six months. For \u201cvisa nationals\u201d, i.e. those who must obtain entry clearance prior to travelling to the UK, the six-month validity period will be stated on their entry clearance vignette in their passport.

    Do I need transit visa for London layover?

    If you are passing through a UK airport while on the way to another country, you may need a UK transit visa. Transit visas are required by some nationals who are passing through the UK en-route to another country within 24 or 48 hours.

    Can you have two UK visas at the same time?

    Consequences of applying for 2 visas at the same timeIf you are applying for 2 visas at the same time, the Department will grant you 2 bridging visas. However, they will not be effective until your current substantive visa expired.



    UK Immigration : No More Delay for UK Visa | Fast Visa Processing for International Students | UKVI




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