Long layover in Heathrow. No UK Visa
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Nov 15, 2012 1:07 PM Last Post By: fear_rua
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Long layover in Heathrow. No UK Visa
Hi,I am an Indian Citizen, resident in the USA for the last 7 years. I am flying from SFO to India, via London, by Virgin Atlantic. I have a 23 hour layover in London Heathrow on my way out. I booked a last minute ticket. Plan was to get a UK visa and check out the city for a day. But I couldn't get an appointment at any of the local visa application centers. So I am now stuck at Heathrow, without a visa.
I would gladly pay for a hotel at the airport. But my research tells me that there are no hotels airside. I will have to pass through Immigration for all the airport hotels, which I can't. This includes Sofitel &Yotel. None of the airport lounges seem to be open overnight.
Looks like I will be camping out at the terminal for a day. Any suggestions/recommendations? Thanks in advance!
Cheers,
M
1
Are you sure you don't qualify for a "transit without visa concession"? See the link below.http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/transitthroughtheuk/visa-to-transit-landside/
2
Hi fear_rua,Thanks for your response. I am a visa national, but I should be able to get the following concession. So I might be able to transit landside. But it depends on the immigration officer. I have a clean record and will be nice to him/her. However, if I don't get the transit visa, what are my options?
On the other hand, if I do, what exactly does landside transit mean? I can go to a nearby hotel to sleep? Or I can go out to London and sight see?
Thanks!
M
Additionally, if you are a national of country covered by the DATV system, you (or a person with whom you arrive in the UK) must hold:
1) a valid entry visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, and a valid airline ticket for travel via the UK, as part of a journey to or from one of those countries; or
5
Or, if you have to stay airside, check information at http://www.sleepinginairports.net/europe/londonheathrow.htm You'll need to know which terminals you arrive at / depart from, but with 23 hours, you have plenty of time to move around and find best place to get some sleep.8
Hi.. glad I found this topic, I will have the same situation.. I am holding Indonesian passport (visa national, not datv member) and will have 23 hours layover in heathrow during my trip from Jakarta to JFK and wondering if I can go to the city without visa during this long layover, any detail from your experience would appreciated!
