K1 Visa in Hand, selecting flights

[cchhat01 14]

Hi All,

Though this question pertains to the aftermath of a K1 Visa being acquired, I thought it would be best if I posted in this forum as more will be potentially aware of the issue with my question.

My fiancee (Indian Citizen) just got her visa issued from the Mumbai consulate.

I'm now deciding on flights for her to arrive here in the United States. I'm concerned about potential Transit Visa or an Direct Airside Visa that may be required (or maybe not) incase we travel through the UK (London Heathrow, or any of the other airports on the Atlantic Route).

I came across this thread on (website removed by request)

I don't have an account there and thought I'd strictly ask in this forum since I'm a regular here.

According to the link, it seems any USA bound traveler with a Valid Unexpired US Visa does not need a Transit/Airside Visa.

I'm just looking for a verification of this statement. I was under the impression that if an Indian Citizen travels through London to get to USA, they need a transit visa.

Please advise.

Thanks,

Chigs

Edited December 6, 2011 by Kathryn41

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hi All,

Though this question pertains to the aftermath of a K1 Visa being acquired, I thought it would be best if I posted in this forum as more will be potentially aware of the issue with my question.

My fiancee (Indian Citizen) just got her visa issued from the Mumbai consulate.

I'm now deciding on flights for her to arrive here in the United States. I'm concerned about potential Transit Visa or an Direct Airside Visa that may be required (or maybe not) incase we travel through the UK (London Heathrow, or any of the other airports on the Atlantic Route).

I came across this thread on(website removed by request)

I don't have an account there and thought I'd strictly ask in this forum since I'm a regular here.

According to the link, it seems any USA bound traveler with a Valid Unexpired US Visa does not need a Transit/Airside Visa.

I'm just looking for a verification of this statement. I was under the impression that if an Indian Citizen travels through London to get to USA, they need a transit visa.

Please advise.

Thanks,

Chigs

Have you thought of taking Jet Airways through Brussels to either JFK or EWR? Edited December 6, 2011 by Kathryn41

[cchhat01 14]

Nope. I'm going with least expensive so far.

But I think many can benefit from a response to my original query.

Chigs

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Nope. I'm going with least expensive so far.

But I think many can benefit from a response to my original query.

Chigs

Technically, you will not need a DATV to go through Heathrow (so long as it is STRICTLY transit through Heathrow) as the MBE constitutes a US visa.

Be careful about "cheapest"--as in some cases it may include a Gatwick/Heathrow swap (that is worse, needs a UK visitor visa).

Going through Muddle East (Qatar or Emirates) may help you somewhat, as no transit visa needed (my mum-in-law visited here from April 12 to Oct 6, and flew Chennai-Doha-Dulles).

Pacific route (Singapore) may also work, though it is counter-intuitive (especially given that you are not on West Coast).

[Gagan and Lindsay 2]

Not sure about the transit visa as I've avoided all that since my fiancee and I fly Continental/United. It's always been the cheapest for us and it flies us into EWR.

[cchhat01 14]

Right... We are not concerned with Flights which force us to Switch from Heathrow to Gatwick. It will simply be Heathrow arrival and Heathrow departure.

What is this term MBE? I'm hearing this for the first time. Please elaborate.

Qatar and Emirates are also good options. However, the reason why I am looking at British Airways is because of a $100+ fare difference. We are well off, but we can certainly use this money towards the AOS process or the Honeymoon.

I'll also look into Continental/UA...

So the take-way is that if its simply a transfer within Heathrow, she should not require a DATV or Transit or Visitor Visa from the UK? Yes?

Chigs

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

My recommendation to save you some hassle is to take the direct flight out from JFK to New Delhi thru Air India. It does not get any better than that. The price might be a couple hundred more...but the hassle saves you as you skip Europe and just go straight to the USA.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Also... www.kayak.com is a great site to compare online rates.

You'll save some more money if you do it thru a travel agent...at least I do.

[Bec_Dipu 103]

Don't forget to take the cost of any baggage fees into consideration. Fees vary by airline and some airlines charge you for all baggage while others give you one or more for free. Those fees can add up!

Also, if you plan on travelling back and forth often, you may want to consider establishing yourself with one airline and joining their frequent flier program.

If you look into the frequent flier programs, some programs will give you lots of miles for signing up for a credit card so you could apply those miles towards the purchase of the ticket and you'd probably get the benefit of using their lounge and skipping the baggage fees. I always fly Continental and my luggage gets specially tagged so it comes off first...A+ for me!

Not that I'm advocating getting a new credit card, but if you find a plan you like, that would be a clean card you can add your fiance to when you marry to start building her credit history in the US.

Good luck!

[Winning23 25]

Having a K1 visa issued means you will be fine in transit as long as your end point destination in your trip concludes in the USA.

Most flights out of Asia have a stop over somewhere, so, I am sure others have gone through this and shouldn't be a problem.

[Harsh_77 718]

You do not need a transit visa for UK, personally I would spend few hundred more and fly with Jet via Brussels.

I have avoided London as best as I can in last couple years, it has become one of the worst airport, with security and for harrsing passengers, carry-on restrictions and on and on.

I like Jet, good service, planes are new, crew is nice, food is good takes me to Brussel, easier to transfer, dont have to run between gates... works for me.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

You do not need a transit visa for UK, personally I would spend few hundred more and fly with Jet via Brussels.

I have avoided London as best as I can in last couple years, it has become one of the worst airport, with security and for harrsing passengers, carry-on restrictions and on and on.

I like Jet, good service, planes are new, crew is nice, food is good takes me to Brussel, easier to transfer, dont have to run between gates... works for me.

I agree with London. The last time I was there the security was crazy! I am not complaining but when you are in a rush to get to a transfer flight...you better hope you get through security quick and your gate is not on the other side of the airport.

[Bec_Dipu 103]

My fiance says Qatar is great, no hassles at airport, good food and a little roomier seats (he's 6'2").

I fly Continental because of the mileage program and I can get a non-stop from Newark to Delhi.

If your POE is a connection and not your final destination, make sure that you leave several hours between your POE and your connecting flight. There are several stories on VJ of people getting stuck in security at their POE and missing their connections. Sometimes it's because the security person is new and doesn't know what to do and some have said they feel like they're just being harassed on purpose. Either way, with the way planes are overbooked these days, you might have trouble getting another connection.

[skiptex 225]

your HONEY has Visa and is ready to come see you.. and you are getting CHEAP over $100.. ?!?!?!?!

come on now.. don't get TIGHT now!!! get TIGHT when she/he gets here!!!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Right... We are not concerned with Flights which force us to Switch from Heathrow to Gatwick. It will simply be Heathrow arrival and Heathrow departure.

What is this term MBE? I'm hearing this for the first time. Please elaborate.

The brown envelope with chopped-off corner issued by the Consulate/Embassy aka "Mystery Brown Envelope".

Qatar and Emirates are also good options. However, the reason why I am looking at British Airways is because of a $100+ fare difference. We are well off, but we can certainly use this money towards the AOS process or the Honeymoon.

I'll also look into Continental/UA...

So the take-way is that if its simply a transfer within Heathrow, she should not require a DATV or Transit or Visitor Visa from the UK? Yes?

Chigs