Special visa needed for layover in UK on the way to US from Ghana?

[Karmalicious 60]

It seems like I heard/read that this was needed but I can't seem to remember what it's called so I'm not having much luck searching. Thank you.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

It is called a transit visa, and it is needed to stop over between flights

But it appears that you may not need one

You’ll need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (unless you’re exempt)

You should apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you arrive in the UK on a flight and leave again without passing through immigration control.

Exemptions

You won’t need a visa if you:

• are travelling to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and have a valid visa for that country
• are travelling from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and it’s less than 6 months since you last entered that country with a valid entry visa
• have a valid US permanent residence card issued on or after 21 April 1998 (or an I-797 extension letter issued by the Bureau of Citizenship if it’s expired)
• have a valid Canadian permanent resident card issued on or after 28 June 2002
• have a valid uniform format category D visa for entry to a state in the European Economic Area (EEA)
• have a valid uniform format residence permit issued by an EEA state

[Boggy1974 124]

The answers being provided is good information. But I think you OP and the respondent are making this overly complicated.

OP, why not book a direct flight from Ghana? Delta airlines have a direct flight from Accra to JFK airport in NY. Then they (Delta) provides a connecting to any destination in the US.

KLM also have flights from Accra through Amsterdam and onward to your destination in US. No transit visa needed.

How I know? My wife just did this in January! You don't need to go spend extra money at the British embassy for a transit visa which they might not approve anyway. The British know there are flights to the US which would not require you to get a transit visa.

Remember: "Simple people live Simply to Simplify their Simplicity"!!!

Edited March 30, 2014 by Boggy1974

[Karmalicious 60]

The answers being provided is good information. But I think you OP and the respondent are making this overly complicated.

OP, why not book a direct flight from Ghana? Delta airlines have a direct flight from Accra to JFK airport in NY. Then they (Delta) provides a connecting to any destination in the US.

KLM also have flights from Accra through Amsterdam and onward to your destination in US. No transit visa needed.

How I know? My wife just did this in January! You don't need to go spend extra money at the British embassy for a transit visa which they might not approve anyway. The British know there are flights to the US which would not require you to get a transit visa.

Remember: "Simple people live Simply to Simplify their Simplicity"!!!

First the ticket is several hundred dollars less, also, if he flew to JFK then I would have to fly there to meet him. Since I have to be at POE, I would prefer to drive to the airport and can if he flies through London. More importantly, since he doesn't need one, my question has been answered. Thank you nigeriaorbust.

[Boggy1974 124]

Well if the answer suits your needs, then good luck!

[Ryan H 3,796]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Working & Traveling During US Immigration forum.

[hmh33 117]

First the ticket is several hundred dollars less, also, if he flew to JFK then I would have to fly there to meet him. Since I have to be at POE, I would prefer to drive to the airport and can if he flies through London. More importantly, since he doesn't need one, my question has been answered. Thank you nigeriaorbust.

Why do you have to be at the POE?

[Boggy1974 124]

Why do you have to be at the POE?

Those were my exact thoughts too!

But Op seems to have their minds made up. And I don't know how flying through London will be any cheaper than Amsterdam or even a direct flight.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I think it isn't an immigration requirement rather a personal one that the OP needs to meet them as they step into the US

[Illiria 980]

I think it isn't an immigration requirement rather a personal one that the OP needs to meet them as they step into the US

This is true, in fact as my fiance was working I even had to make my own way to our town from SFO. They only asked why he wasn't picking me up and when I said why they said that it was a shame and did I know how to get there.