TRANSIT VISA - Confusion!

[tammy2688 1]

Hello all,

I had always seen people go through embassies with their visas that the embassy provides without needing a transit visa. But I have read about them and it was also brought to my attention from one of the members of the VJ family:

My husband will go from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Heathrow, London to Chicago ORD.

I don’ t think a transit visa is needed for us, I found sombut e literature –

“Transit visa is a temporary short period visa during your journey. Some countries require that you have a stopover of minimum of 24 hours to grant you transit visa. Recently several countries have started to require transit visa for persons transiting their countries even if they do not want to go out of the airport. However, most people who are going to or coming from with a valid visa do not require visa. There has been a lot of confusion in this regard among people and many times even airline staff does not have correct information.”

I already know from the member who brought this to my attention and it is very helpful. I would like some feedback from those coming in from the S. Asian region such as India/Pakistan/Bangladesh if any of you needed one.

Should I call my airlines to find out? Or does anyone know for sure?

Thanks,

Tam

[Otto 83]

Most international airports have a 'transit area' that is secured, specifically for passengers changing planes. Passengers holding passports from countries that require a transit visa can not leave this area without a transit visa. This is usually not an issue except in the odd case where a connection flight is missed and a passenger must spend a lot of time waiting for the next connection (sometimes having to remain in the transit area overnight).

Check with your airline to ensure there is adequate time between flights and to validate any need for a transit visa (even though a transit visa - in most cases - is only needed if the passenger wants to leave the secured/transit area, or the airport itself).

[Boiler 45,510]

I believe that if you have a US Visa and are travelling to the US you do not need a UK Transit Visa.

One of the exceptions.

But I would check with the airline, they will know and will not carry anybody who does not have the relevant paperwork.

(The issue I believe is more people travelling through claiming assylum, you do not need to leave airside to do so.)

[tammy2688 1]

Thanks guys, I talked to some people who have traveled through the UK recently to come to the US through BA and no transit visa required. Awesome!