Daft Question

[YorkshiretoAZ 12]

Hello everyone,

 

I didn't know the best place to put this but since it's UK related I'll add it here!

 

I go home to the UK in 2 days! I'm so excited, I have a 2 year Greencard, I am going with my wife, sister in law and mum in law. 

When we land at Heathrow through customs, I know I can go through the gates as I have a UK passport and my wife and her family will have to go through the none EU line, would I have to wait a while for them to come through if I go through the electronic gates? Could I wait in line with them in the none EU line?

 

What have other couples done when they've gone back to the UK?

 

Thanks

Edited May 22, 2017 by YorkshiretoAZ

[Elle&Kev 120]

When my husband and I flew to Heathrow he stood with me in the Non Citizen line because we were not sure what else to do. When we got to the immigration officer she informed us that my husband could have taken me through the other line for citizens because he was a citizen.

 

 

[JoannaV 174]

On one trip I know we waited in the non-EU line, would've missed our coach except the coach was so late that it was good we got to wait in the warm line instead of even longer in the cold bus station. :-P On another trip (I think two other trips) we went through the UK line. I was last there nearly 5 years ago though.

Best thing to do is ask an officer before you join a line. They might tell you all to go straight to the UK line, or they might not. To some extent it probably depends on how busy it is. Also, with multiple adult non-UK citizens there might be greater likelihood they don't let you do that. But you can definitely accompany them in the non-EU line.

[Elle&Kev 120]

35 minutes ago, Dee elle said:

Same thing here in Australia.. I just hesitated to suggest this option considering the size and makeup of the extended family group arriving.. certainly immediate family members yes, but not sure when it is that next step removed.. ie sister in law, MIL etc.... 

Good point... I would ask ahead of choosing which line when the extended family is traveling.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

 

 

1 hour ago, YorkshiretoAZ said:

What have other couples done when they've gone back to the UK?

 

We too were told at Heathrow my wife could go through the EU line with me. Most recent trip, I went through as an American with my American passport. 

[aless02 9]

When it's just immediate family, you can go through the line with the citizen of that country just fine. We've always done it both going into America (British husband comes with us) and UK (I the American go with him). I don't know about extended family, just asked the person manning the queues and they'll direct you accordingly. You & your wife can certainly go together, at the very least and then wait for the other 2 at baggage reclaim.