UK transit visa for a Russian citizen with a valid K1 visa in her passport

[emanresu 0]

So my fiancee is coming to the US and we're looking at different flights. She doesn't need a Schengen visa if she flies through Milan, but the UK is super-vague about it. Her layover would straddle two calendar days (arrives Heathrow 7 pm, leaves Heathrow 11 am) and the website (https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/russia/transit/somewhere_else/yes) says that she'd need a transit visa ... maybe.

I've also heard from Russians who have done this that there's such thing as a 24-hour visa which the immigration officer can issue at his discretion, and which they generally give if the traveler's papers are all in order.

Does anyone know the exact situation?

Edited December 20, 2016 by emanresu

[TierraGlanville 0]

Ive never been in this situation, but I think it would be best to call the Russian airline directly to get the particulars.

They would be able to tell you exactly how it works. Good luck!

[narakthisud 174]

OP, have you considered contacting the UK embassy in Russia? I was looking into flights for my Thai fiancee recently and Norwegian Air ended up being the cheapest option. I simply e-mailed the consulate in Bangkok and they replied relatively fast. Might be a better route to take instead of contacting the airline. Or you can do both.

[emanresu 0]

The problem is we really don't have that much time. I've also found something in Russian saying that according to new rules if your papers are in order for the final destination, they'll let you transit.

[Ksenia_O 695]

Usually they let you go through without any transit visa if it's a matter of the same day, your next flight is within few hours and you don't have to change a terminal or airport.

Your Fiancee is going to spend the night there, so I would definitely check with the airport (or the air company) and the UK Embassy what you should do in this situation...

P.S. Small remark: UK is not a Schengen

Can't find the link, but I have read before you are an exempt from the requirement to apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa if you hold a valid US or Canadian visa.

But again - I would double check this anyway.

GOOD LUCK!!

Edited December 20, 2016 by Ksenia_O

[Ksenia_O 695]

https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/russia/transit/somewhere_else/yes

"You should apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you arrive on a flight and will pass through immigration control before you leave the UK.

Transiting without a visa

You might be eligible for ‘transit without visa’ if:

• you arrive and depart by air
• have a confirmed onward flight that leaves on the day you arrive or before midnight on the day after you arrive
• have the correct documents for your destination (eg a visa for that country)

You must also:

• be travelling to (or on part of a reasonable journey to) Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and have a valid visa for that country
• be travelling from (or on part of a reasonable journey from) Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and have a valid visa for that country
• ...."

So, seems like your Fiancee wouldn't need a Transit Visa. The only thing that still confuses me is "..a flight that leaves on the day you arrive or before midnight on the day after you arrive"...

Edited December 20, 2016 by Ksenia_O

[emanresu 0]

http://chancetotrip.com/%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%82-%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD/

Безвизовый транзит с возможностью покинуть транзитную зону аэропорта на период 24-48 часов согласно новым правилам возможен в следующих случаях:

1. если Вы совершаете перелет в США, Австралию, Канаду или Новую Зеландию и у Вас есть действующая виза одной из этих стран,
2. если Вы совершаете перелет из США, Австралии, Канады или Новой Зеландии и въезд в эти страны состоялся не более 6 месяцев назад,
3. если у Вас есть вид на жительство в одной из вышеперечисленных стран, а также в государствах Европейской экономической зоны или Швейцарии, при этом вид на жительство Канады должен быть выдан позднее 28 июня 2002, а ВНЖ США позднее 21 апреля 1998,