Travelling through London Heathrow

[ViciousCircle]

My H1 (stamped visa) has expired and I will be using AP for travelling through Heathrow. I know UK requires a DATV (Direct Airside Transit Visa) in such cases.

However, I do have a valid B1/B2 visa (never used but valid till 2015). Do I still need a DATV or will the B1/B2 save me ?

[sudarshana_sg]

I just did this two weeks back- you dont need anything other than your AP document/ card. That is as good as a visa. My H1 B had expired and I had no other valid US visas stamped on my passport. They just looked at my AP and that was that.

[ViciousCircle]

Originally Posted by sudarshana_sg

I just did this two weeks back- you dont need anything other than your AP document/ card. That is as good as a visa. My H1 B had expired and I had no other valid US visas stamped on my passport. They just looked at my AP and that was that.

That's a great news ! You travelled through London right ? Which airlines did you use ?

[blademaster]

Why is anyone even considering traveling through London?

The first thing I tell the travel agent is no flight through Europe. Otherwise you get into this visa mess.

Unless its super cheap, of course, I agree. Try Etihad, Qatar, Emirates etc.,

[sudarshana_sg]

I flew British Airways thru London heathrow on my way to and from india. Keep in mind that if you plan a stopover in the UK (plan on getting out of the airport, i.e, and not just transitting thru) you need to have a UK visa.

[sparky_jones]

Originally Posted by sudarshana_sg

I flew British Airways thru London heathrow on my way to and from india. Keep in mind that if you plan a stopover in the UK (plan on getting out of the airport, i.e, and not just transitting thru) you need to have a UK visa.

I thought they needed transit visa if the H1 stamp in passport has expired. Has that changed?

[gvenkat]

Originally Posted by ViciousCircle

My H1 (stamped visa) has expired and I will be using AP for travelling through Heathrow. I know UK requires a DATV (Direct Airside Transit Visa) in such cases.

However, I do have a valid B1/B2 visa (never used but valid till 2015). Do I still need a DATV or will the B1/B2 save me ?

I think you should be ok. But as a principle we should not travel these airlines that require a Transit visa. I mean what kind of arrogance is that. In effect they want you to get a visa to crap in their restroom. Unless until you plan to actually visit the UK. I don't see a reason to travel through UK or obtain a transit visa.

[ViciousCircle]

Originally Posted by gvenkat

I think you should be ok. But as a principle we should not travel these airlines that require a Transit visa. I mean what kind of arrogance is that. In effect they want you to get a visa to crap in their restroom. Unless until you plan to actually visit the UK. I don't see a reason to travel through UK or obtain a transit visa.

The only thing is, it is looking a lot cheaper to fly through LHR in summer (Virgin Atlantic + Jet) . The only other option which is cheaper than this is Gulf airways but that too takes through LHR. Emirates is directly through Dubai but more expensive

[sudarshana_sg]

You do not need an kind of a visa for the UK unless you plan on leaving the airport. I travelled to India and back on AP. did not have a valid us visa stamped on my passport- uk authorities or airlines did not create any issues.

[sanprabhu]

Originally Posted by sudarshana_sg

You do not need an kind of a visa for the UK unless you plan on leaving the airport. I travelled to India and back on AP. did not have a valid us visa stamped on my passport- uk authorities or airlines did not create any issues.

Thanks for your update. From DFW, American does not fly anywhere else decent for a one stop trip to Singapore for example, so I was looking for LHR stop over which is very convenient time (just 1 to 2 hours). Emirates and Qatar have atrocious connection with a stop over of 8 hours or so which is very inconvenient for me. I will take my chance this time and see what develops.

[shreekhand]

I think you have no idea about the number of fraud asylum seekers that come from countries that require transit visa. I also wondered about ridiculousness of needing transit visa as well, but on researching a bit further, I realized the other side of the story.

They are pretty justified in requiring transit visa.

Originally Posted by gvenkat

I think you should be ok. But as a principle we should not travel these airlines that require a Transit visa. I mean what kind of arrogance is that. In effect they want you to get a visa to crap in their restroom. Unless until you plan to actually visit the UK. I don't see a reason to travel through UK or obtain a transit visa.

[krishmunn]

Originally Posted by shreekhand

I think you have no idea about the number of fraud asylum seekers that come from countries that require transit visa. I also wondered about ridiculousness of needing transit visa as well, but on researching a bit further, I realized the other side of the story.

They are pretty justified in requiring transit visa.

I would tend to agree with you but question is how does it help prevent that ?

The other problem I have with these countries is , they insist on a stamped Visa even though AP probably has more weight while entering US.

[snathan]

Originally Posted by krishmunn

I would tend to agree with you but question is how does it help prevent that ?

The other problem I have with these countries is , they insist on a stamped Visa even though AP probably has more weight while entering US.

Its all money honey....

[PRHolder]

On the UK Border Agency website listed :
UK Border Agency | Do you need a visa? it shows I need a visa with an Indian passport and staying in the US.

I am not sure if the Travel Permit (Advance Parole) that we have to travel back would suffix instead of the UK transit visa.

[GCHope2011]

Originally Posted by PRHolder

On the UK Border Agency website listed :
UK Border Agency | Do you need a visa? it shows I need a visa with an Indian passport and staying in the US.

I am not sure if the Travel Permit (Advance Parole) that we have to travel back would suffix instead of the UK transit visa.

Been through LHR on AP and no US visa - it is not needed.