Visa issue for connecting flight

[Ethan-ate]

My TG recently came to the UK en-route to the USA ,she has decided to extend her stay in the USA until Jan 30th however her UK Visa expired whe she left here last in August ,as a consequence I had to move her NYC -LDN flight back to Jan so she could get her LDN-BKK flight home ,however the flights were not booked on the same iteniary etc so luggage will not be moved ahead and there is atleast a 10hr wait in the airport however she will no longer haVE a visa and the girl I spoke to at STA travel thought this could cause a prob? surely if she shows proof of onward journey she's fine? however I do understand she'l have to change terminal etc &could do a runner[obviously she wont]

 

This sucks because when she returned to the UK last time with only 2weeks of her visa left to run she was hassled by UK customs for 3hrs before they would release her ,abit much for a harmless little Thai uni girl me thinks.

[praf974]

If her luggage is checked through to the connecting flight she can use dedicated transfer buses within the passenger-only areas to switch terminals .. no need to go through customs and enter the uk I wouldnt have thought (STA travel should know this) ..

 

http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/Heathrow%5EGeneral%5EAirport+information%5ETravel+between+terminals/aedd3db5569a9110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/

[praf974]

.. sorry just noticed bags arent checked through .. so yeh that sucks, gives customs a tasty opportunity to make someones life a misery ..

[bocelli27]

I doubt whether anyone on this forum can do any more than express an opinion on what might happen. I would suggest you ring UK immigration, explain the circumstances and ask their advice.

[Mike Asia]

I doubt they will even let her on the plane to London without a visa for the UK, she should get another ticket from NY to BKK

Edited October 17, 2009 by mike_asia

[Ethan-ate]

Anyone know the number for UK immigration?

[Mike Asia]

Anyone know the number for UK immigration?

 

Regardless of what immigration says on the phone there is a 90% chance she won't be allowed on the flight from the USA. As you said her ticket is from the USA to London and when she goes to the counter in the USA to check in they will see that she does not have a visa for the UK. If she is refused entry in the UK it is the responsibility of the airline to get her out since they let her board, they won't take the risk. So there is only a small chance she will even get on the first flight.

[bocelli27]

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/contact/contactspage/peos/

 

It may not be good news but it's still worth a phone call.

[Thai Visa Express]

If you are in transit you should not require another visa however some airports you do so check with the airline and airport.