Lost in transit
Dear Lazyweb,
With all the idiots that I end up talking to, and all of them giving me different answers, I resort to you, O Lazyweb!
Q: Do I need a transit visa?
I’m travelling on a French type D visa, to Nice via London Heathrow. The time between the two BA flights (BOM-LHR and LHR-NCE) is 2h 40 mins. I don’t change airports, but I do change terminals and go from t5 to t1.
Quite a few people commented that I don’t need a transit visa, then some said I do. If you do know a definite answer to this, please leave a comment. You could also point me to some phone / email id that you think might help. Any help is appreciated!
runa Sep 9
baks.. looks like you might need:
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/carriers/ukvisarequirements.pdf
Sayamindu Sep 9
The best way would be to
a) Call up BA offices in your city
b) Call up the vfs-uk call centre (080) 40084008.
I did a transit (CCU-LHR, LHR-BOS) a few months back, and did not require a transit visa - however, I had a valid US visa and I did not have to change terminals.
barkha Sep 9
Runa: Thanks for the link. Yeah, looks like I need one.
Sayamindu: Tried both the options already (multiple times even!). Two BA guys said I wouldn’t need, one said I would need a transit visa. Called up the VFS office twice, both of the ladies there said I would need one. So, I am applying for one. Also, the VFS lady explained that only holders of a valid US and Canadian visa can travel without a transit visa.
Thanks guys.
Atul Sep 9
You dont need a transit visa if you never leave the airport premises. I have travelled from India to Germany via LHR, with up to 8 hour (ouch!) gaps between flights, and never needed a transit visa - terminal changes notwithstanding.
barkha Sep 9
Atul: Its actually crazy, because, as per the following line in the visa requirements:
(e) a valid common format Category D visa for entry to an EEA state;
I shouldn’t need a visa and be allowed a TWOV. I quoted the same to the VFS guys. However, they still insist on a visa. *sigh*
Devdas Bhagat Sep 10
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf20transit