Transit without visa at Heathrow experience with Indian passport?
Hello everyone this is my first question ever here. I apologize in advance if i have neglected any guideline or policy while asking my question here. So my question is about transit visa at Heathrow Airport. I have an Indian passport and I will be travelling to USA on valid F1 student visa. My flight will have 19 hours overlay at Heathrow. To be honest i have selected this flight as i want to meet a very dear friend in London. I would like to ask if any one has any experience on this. What are the chances that i will be allowed outside the airport given that i have all documentation and proof that ill leave UK next day. Is there any thing i can do to make my case stronger so that i am granted Transit without Visa. I have checked here https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y and I found that i may be eligible for transit without visa as i have a valid US visa. I would be thankful if anyone can share there experience.
EDIT: My Flight Timings are
- 2 Aug, 17:30 Arrival at Heathrow terminal 3
- 3 Aug, 10:30 Departure from Heathrow terminal 3
Best Answer
It seems that you would probably be OK, although as ever, if you want to be "safe", then applying for a visitor in transit visa makes things much more straightforward.
You can find the full rules for Transit Wiwhout Visa (TWOV) on gov.uk (sections v7.6 - 7.10).
As we already know that you meet the requirements of v7.8(a), I'll quote V7.7 here so you can make sure it's all covered:
V 7.7 The applicant must:
- (a) have arrived by air and will be departing by air; and
- (b) be genuinely in transit to another country, meaning the purpose of their visit is to transit the UK and that the applicant is taking a reasonable transit route; and
- (c) will not access public funds or medical treatment, work or study in the UK; and
- (d) genuinely intend and be able to leave the UK before 23:59 hours on the day after the day when they arrived; and
- (e) have a confirmed booking on a flight departing the UK before 23:59 hours on the day after the day when they arrived; and
- (f) be assured entry to their country of destination and any other countries they are transiting through on their way there.
Note that all of those requirements must be met. You may have a "landing interview" where you are quizzed on your plans. If the border officer is not satisfied that you are a "genuine visitor" you may then be denied entry. Having an existing visa (transit should be fine I think) makes this more likley to go smoothly.
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Do Indian citizens need transit visa for London Heathrow?
Indian nationals, unless they come under one of the exemptions listed on the UK government web site, need a Direct Airside Transit Visa if they transit airside or a Visitor in Transit Visa if they transit landside - so either way a visa would be required.Can Indians transit through UK without visa?
You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country). Check if you need one before you apply. To get a transit visa you must prove that: you'll be in transit to another country, with enough funds and the intention to travel on.Are Indians allowed to transit in LHR?
According to Indiver Rastogi, president, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) & SOTC, Indians holding a valid Canadian visa don't need a transit visa but must obtain a negative test report at the airport in London, in addition to a pre-departure negative Covid test result in India.Do you really need Transit Visa for UK
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