Landing interview at Heathrow for allowing land-side transit to Indian nationals with valid US visa
I'm an Indian national and hold a valid US F1 visa. I'll be travelling from the US to India via Heathrow and have a 23-hour layover at Heathrow airport (arrival at LHR 9:45 AM and departure 8:45 AM the next day), during which time I wish to visit London and rest at a hotel rather than staying at the airport.
I fulfill all conditions to make a land-side Transit Without Visa (TWOV) according to https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/648410/UK_Visa_requirements_Oct_2017.pdf and https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/india/transit/somewhere_else/yes. Here are the conditions that I fulfill:
- (iv) arrive and depart by air; and
- (v) have a confirmed onward flight that departs before 23:59 hrs the following day; and
- (vi) hold the correct documents for their destination (e.g. a visa for that country if required) and
- (ii) have a valid visa for entry to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and a valid airline ticket via the UK as part of a reasonable journey FROM that country.
I read at some blog that a few terminals at Heathrow airport close during night hours and therefore the passengers have no option but to go land-side during long, overnight layovers. So I'm thinking that the airport authorities might cooperate, provided the passenger fulfils all the conditions for TWOV and sounds legitimate during the landing interview.
Does any one have any experience to share on this if they were granted or denied the permission to go land-side at Heathrow Airport without having a Visitor in Transit visa but fulfilling all the above mentioned conditions?
During the landing interview, I plan to say that I wish to rest at an affordable hotel during my transit, but then an immigration officer can always ask me to stay at hotels that are present air-side at Heathrow. So what are some good things to say or present that will improve my chances of approval during the landing interview when asked about the reasons to go land-side?
(Please excuse me for a lengthy description.)
Pictures about "Landing interview at Heathrow for allowing land-side transit to Indian nationals with valid US visa"
Is transit visa required for connecting flight in Heathrow?
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 ...Do I need transit visa for connecting flights London?
You might need a Visitor in Transit visa if you're: changing flights in the UK on your way to another country. going through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight. leaving the UK within 48 hours.Can Indian citizens transit through UK?
Open for Travel: Yes Open For TravelIndians with valid UK visas (including a tourist visa) can now travel to UK. Visa processing takes around 6 weeks, option of priority visa with additional fees. Check here if you need a visa to pass through the UK in transit.Is transit allowed in London?
There are 2 types of transiting: 'airside' - you do not pass through UK border control before you leave on your connecting journey. 'landside' - you do pass through UK border control, but come back through it and leave the UK within a short amount of time (usually 24 hours)UK VISAS FAQs: UK TRANSIT VISAS
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ketut Subiyanto, Andrea Piacquadio, Lucas Pezeta, Kelly L