Layover in London on way to USA with K1

[KozmicBlues 592]

Hi everyone. My fiance finally got his K1 approved earlier this month and he is arriving here on Friday!! He is flying from New Delhi to London then direct from London to USA. Has anyone else from India flown via London to the USA? Were you required to have a transit visa? When we researched online via the UK gov website, we found that as long as he has an ongoing flight same-day (he does) and a visa for USA (he does - K1) then he does not need a visa. But, we just found out that he will have to change terminals in London Heathrow so I'm worried that will require him to go through immigration. Just wondering if anyone else has been in this scenario and if they had any issues with the layover in London without having a UK transit visa?

[Khallaf 650]

38 minutes ago, KozmicBlues said:

Hi everyone. My fiance finally got his K1 approved earlier this month and he is arriving here on Friday!! He is flying from New Delhi to London then direct from London to USA. Has anyone else from India flown via London to the USA? Were you required to have a transit visa? When we researched online via the UK gov website, we found that as long as he has an ongoing flight same-day (he does) and a visa for USA (he does - K1) then he does not need a visa. But, we just found out that he will have to change terminals in London Heathrow so I'm worried that will require him to go through immigration. Just wondering if anyone else has been in this scenario and if they had any issues with the layover in London without having a UK transit visa?

there would be no transit visa required unless he wanted to go out of the terminal and say in london for some days.

 

however to be safe Travelers are required to check with the airline or their travel agent if they need a transit visa or not. There are many scenarios that can be confusing for the traveler and the inspection officials. For example, if a traveler is flying over Germany they may not need a visa. However, if they have to pick up baggage and have to check-in again, they are technically on German soil. This will require a valid transit visa.

Edited January 29, 2018 by Khallaf

[SMcNally 37]

No transit visa is required if flying to the USA. I've flown through multiple cities in Europe, London too without a transit visa. I am assuming he is not getting off in London to see the sights and his ticket starts in India and ends in the USA i.e. no long stop (more than 24 hours) in London. I am in fact, flying to the USA in a few days via London with a 4 hour transit and no transit visa.

 

I think, in London you can change terminals internally (as is the case with many American airports) without leaving the security area.

Edited February 1, 2018 by SMcNally

[KozmicBlues 592]

10 hours ago, SMcNally said:

No transit visa is required if flying to the USA. I've flown through multiple cities in Europe, London too without a transit visa. I am assuming he is not getting off in London to see the sights and his ticket starts in India and ends in the USA i.e. no long stop (more than 24 hours) in London. I am in fact, flying to the USA in a few days via London with a 4 hour transit and no transit visa.

 

I think, in London you can change terminals internally (as is the case with many American airports) without leaving the security area.

Thank you so much!! This makes me feel 1000% better! I already called the Airline and they confirmed that his baggage will be checked all the way through - so he will not need to leave the airport and can transfer terminals through the air-side shuttles. So we are both much more relieved now that everything should go smoothly. 

[TBoneTX 45,324]

A relief indeed.  Thanks for returning with the happy update.