My brother is traveling to New York on an Immigrant visa. Does he need transit visa for UK enrout to New York. His plane stops over in London for refuling (two hours only, no change of plane). Does any one know if he needs transit visa for UK for this brief stop over?
Five years ago it was a requirment to have transit visa. Is it still the requirment? If yes, how long does it takes to get transit visa for UK? Thanks,
Khan replied on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 06:08 PM
He is traveling from Lahore to New York |
Jameel replied on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 07:04 PM
No need. You only need if you have to Change terminal |
Khan replied on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 07:40 PM
Thanks Jameel bhai, five years ago my cousin was returned from Lahore airport for not having transit visa. At that time his stop over was also for only 2 hours (by PIA). He was not allowed to get on plane. He ended up loosing a lot of money for returning PIA ticket and bought Emirates air line to avoid UK.
Could someone also confirm what Jameel Bhai saying is correct? |
MM replied on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 09:08 PM
Changing plane never requires a transit visa unless you want to go out of the airport. |
Azad K replied on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 09:30 PM
A transit visa is normally required from a traveller from Pakistan unless the traveller holds a valid visa for entry to United States of America and a valid airline ticket for travel via the United Kingdom as part of a journey from Pakistan. |
Azad K replied on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 09:34 PM
To simplify, if you have a valid visa and a valid ticket to the U.S.A through the UK before you get to the UK then you don't need a transit visa. |
Fahad replied on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 10:37 PM
Give urself a favour and call British High Commission.
dont take chance, You can find the number on internet.
allah haffiz |
Kashif Chohan replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 03:42 AM
You are not required any transit visa unless you have an intention to come out of airport. I travelled last year from Lahore to Toronto and having 05 hrs stay over at heathrow airport without any need of transit visa.I travelled on Qatar Airways |
Abdul replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 04:45 AM
These days A transit VISA is must, regardless you change a plane or not since you land in a country therefore visa is required. Europe is very strict in this issue and UK is No.1 in this list. |
ua replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 06:15 AM
I have traveled a few times from Pakistan to US with change in UK. A couple of times that involved changing airports also (Heathrow to Gatwick). For change of airport, I was given the 48-hour transit visa at the airport while no visa is needed if your next flight is from the same airport... |
Tahir replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 06:30 AM
Yes he needs a transit visa. You can check on the UK embassy as well or give them a call. Dont take chances. |
Ahmad replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 08:29 AM
yesterday my brother went to usa with flight pk721 without any
transit visa to uk and he had no problem in uk |
Rehmat Ali replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 08:37 AM
Dear Brother.
Honestly in UK, on trnasit Pakistani passport holders are shamefully checked while getting back to plane. I had experience especillay if you are enroute to USA. Get Etihad or Qatar Airways ticket which is cheaper as compared to PIA and go respectfully and no transit for sure required. |
MKS replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 11:40 AM
DATV (transit) Visa is required.
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf20transit#Q4
Best is to travel by alternate airlines, i suggest Turkish Air. |
Khan replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 12:00 PM
Thanks to all who has responded. |
MJM Dammam replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 05:38 PM
I and my wife have travelled twice recently to USA via Gatwick (UK) from Saudi Arabia. We were never asked for transit visa. |
Arshad replied on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 06:13 PM
Brother Khan,
If you have valid visa or green card then you do not need transient visa. If you are immigrant or you have IAD then you need transient Visa if you are flying through UK. It is a must. UK transient visa use to take about 10 days, but these days I am not sure. It is better for your brother to take other airline like Emirates/Qatar/Itehad etc. which do not require transient visa. Hope this will help |
Raja replied on Thursday, October 15, 2009 06:25 AM
green card or american visa talk is rubbish, going to any country, couple of hours transit on the plane never requires visa in any country. |
Arshad replied on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 02:21 PM
Raja,
We need to follow rules of a country. UK is worst in dealing with transient passengers. People are returned back to Pakistan from Manchester. this restrictions are for only passengers traveling to USA |
