Transiting the UK with a residence document issued by an European Economic Area country
I am an Egyptian citizen residing in Italy. I have had family residency for five years. I am traveling from Rome to Iceland with a transit in London. I will pass through the border area to change airports. Will I be allowed to do so?
This is the residence card that I own:
Best Answer
If I were you I would get a visa.
The document you have is not an EEA family permit, which was the name the UK gave to the documents that it issued like the document you have, but the UK never used that name to denote such documents issued by other countries.
The document you have is not a common-format residence permit. It is certainly a residence permit, but it is not in the common format specified by European Union law.
The document is not a visa of any sort, and it is certainly not a uniform format visa.
Now obviously in the spirit of the transit visa exemptions you ought to be able to transit without a visa. But the document you have does not comply with the letter of these restrictions. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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Can I travel to UK with EEA residence card?
You cannot use an EU , EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK unless you: have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man's settlement schemes.What documents do I need to transit through UK?
To apply for a Visitor in Transit visa, you must have a current passport or other valid travel document. You need to provide evidence that you're allowed to enter the country you're travelling to, such as a: residence permit. green card.What is proof of UK residence?
Acceptable documents providing proof of residence include:Local authority tax bill valid for the current year** UK full or provisional photo-card driving licene or a full old-style paper driving licence (if not already presented as a personal ID document). Old style provisional driving licences are not acceptable.Can I travel with EU residence permit?
If you have a valid residence permit from one of those Schengen countries, it is equivalent to a visa. You may need a national visa to visit non-Schengen countries. Border officials in EU countries may ask for other supporting documents such as an invitation letter, proof of lodging, return or round-trip ticket.Turkish temporary residence permit renewal for foreigners
More answers regarding transiting the UK with a residence document issued by an European Economic Area country
Answer 2
Your residence card does not suffice for visa-free transit in the UK.
The Guide from the UK government to airlines mentions explicitly the need for a common format residence permit, that is, a credit card-sized plastic card or sticker in passport with either a bull (old format) or an European map (new format) on it.
The only residence permit issued pursuant to EC 1030/2002 is one in the specified format. Other permits not subject to EC 1030/2002 are of course not issued based on EC 1030/2002.
Passengers having a valid common format residence permit issued by an EEA state or Switzerland. Passengers who have a valid common format residence permit issued by an EEA state or Switzerland do not have to be travelling to or from the country which issued the permit. Please note that there are several forms of residence permits issued by EEA states but the only acceptable permits are those which are issued following the directions given in the Council Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002.
These permits may take the form of a vignette (sticker) in a passport or a plastic card. There are several common features of these cards all set out in the directive – the permits are coloured mainly pink and blue, each has an EU Kinegram, also printed on the permits is the image of a bull and five stars. All other permits such as the large A4-sized Italian Permesso di Soggiorno, or an Irish Work Permit sticker are not common format residence permits and are not acceptable as an exemption document for DATV nationals seeking to TWOV.
Answer 3
I will pass through the border area to change airports. Will I be allowed to do so?
As a general rule in any country, in order to change airports you need a full permission to enter the transit country (visa or visa-exemption), namely as a tourist.
Your transit circumstance makes no difference within the scope of the question, if you must change airport or terminal. Even if you can show air tickets, the general rule is that you must prove that you have right to enter and stay in the transit country. This check will be enforced in Rome, where the airline is responsible for boarding.
The explanation is super simple. A person with intent to illegally immigrate into the UK could buy a fake onward ticket and not use it. After clearing immigration, one is free to go anywhere.
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