Transit visa question for London

[DaveTanya 0]

My Russian girlfriend wants to travel to Cancun and meet me there. The flight goes through London. She is required to change airports there. Does she need a transit visa? And is this common? I am worried for her. She will also need to use the airport hotel.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

My Russian girlfriend wants to travel to Cancun and meet me there. The flight goes through London. She is required to change airports there. Does she need a transit visa? And is this common? I am worried for her. She will also need to use the airport hotel.

I think this UK.gov page will give you the information you need. https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa/overview

[nobbie 105]

Looks like a transit visa will be needed. They can grant a waiver if she is leaving the UK within 24 hrs BUT that is decided by border control and you probably dont want to leave it until then in case they say no.

Think about the return trip too if she is coming back the same way.

Thats a good link posted above, definately have a look at it.

[DaveTanya 0]

I called the Heathrow airport and they said she does not need a transit visa as long as she has the tickets showing she is leaving the airport(country) within 24 hours. Even though she has to change airports.

[Boiler 43,401]

She is leaving from Gatwick or Stanstead?

[DaveTanya 0]

She is landing in Heathrow and changing airports to Gatwick. I just called Gatwick and they said no problem it's standard procedure to grant 24 hour access as long as she has her ticket showing she is leaving within 24 hours. So yes she will be leaving from Gatwick to go to Mexico.

[Boiler 43,401]

There is a Bus service that runs between Heathrow and Gatwick, lot easier than going into London.

[DaveTanya 0]

I will let her know thanks

[DaveTanya 0]

http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/#

This is what I found when I booked the flight.