Travelling to UK and back to visit sister in transit-area
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I'm Egyptian, have Swiss C residency and a US visa and would like to see my sister who is living in the US and traveling to a third country through the UK. She has a long stop there in Heathrow transit and I would like to meet her there. Will they let me board the airplane in Switzerland? I.e. is it allowed to travel to a country (in this case UK) without planning to enter the country (which would require a visitor visa and I don't have time to apply for one)? My sister and me would just meet in the transit area. Thank you so much for your help!
uk transit paperwork egyptian-citizens
edited May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
asked May 11 at 19:57
Eva Y.
232
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I'm Egyptian, have Swiss C residency and a US visa and would like to see my sister who is living in the US and traveling to a third country through the UK. She has a long stop there in Heathrow transit and I would like to meet her there. Will they let me board the airplane in Switzerland? I.e. is it allowed to travel to a country (in this case UK) without planning to enter the country (which would require a visitor visa and I don't have time to apply for one)? My sister and me would just meet in the transit area. Thank you so much for your help!
uk transit paperwork egyptian-citizens
edited May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
asked May 11 at 19:57
Eva Y.
232
If you have a valid long term US visa and Swiss residency then you can probably get a short UK visitor visa, and your sister shouldn't have much trouble getting a landside transit visa. This means you could meet outside the transit area.
– DJClayworth
May 11 at 21:42
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I'm Egyptian, have Swiss C residency and a US visa and would like to see my sister who is living in the US and traveling to a third country through the UK. She has a long stop there in Heathrow transit and I would like to meet her there. Will they let me board the airplane in Switzerland? I.e. is it allowed to travel to a country (in this case UK) without planning to enter the country (which would require a visitor visa and I don't have time to apply for one)? My sister and me would just meet in the transit area. Thank you so much for your help!
uk transit paperwork egyptian-citizens
edited May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
asked May 11 at 19:57
Eva Y.
232
I'm Egyptian, have Swiss C residency and a US visa and would like to see my sister who is living in the US and traveling to a third country through the UK. She has a long stop there in Heathrow transit and I would like to meet her there. Will they let me board the airplane in Switzerland? I.e. is it allowed to travel to a country (in this case UK) without planning to enter the country (which would require a visitor visa and I don't have time to apply for one)? My sister and me would just meet in the transit area. Thank you so much for your help!
uk transit paperwork egyptian-citizens
edited May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
asked May 11 at 19:57
Eva Y.
232
edited May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
edited May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
edited May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
48k788212
asked May 11 at 19:57
Eva Y.
232
asked May 11 at 19:57
Eva Y.
232
asked May 11 at 19:57
Eva Y.
232
232
If you have a valid long term US visa and Swiss residency then you can probably get a short UK visitor visa, and your sister shouldn't have much trouble getting a landside transit visa. This means you could meet outside the transit area.
– DJClayworth
May 11 at 21:42
add a comment |Â
If you have a valid long term US visa and Swiss residency then you can probably get a short UK visitor visa, and your sister shouldn't have much trouble getting a landside transit visa. This means you could meet outside the transit area.
– DJClayworth
May 11 at 21:42
If you have a valid long term US visa and Swiss residency then you can probably get a short UK visitor visa, and your sister shouldn't have much trouble getting a landside transit visa. This means you could meet outside the transit area.
– DJClayworth
May 11 at 21:42
If you have a valid long term US visa and Swiss residency then you can probably get a short UK visitor visa, and your sister shouldn't have much trouble getting a landside transit visa. This means you could meet outside the transit area.
– DJClayworth
May 11 at 21:42
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
This is not generally permitted, at least not without doing something more. Timatic, the database airlines use for immigration requirements, states that transit without a visa is only allowed for transits "on the same calendar day to a third country (excluding Ireland (Rep.))." Flying, say, ZRH-LHR-ZRH is not a trip to a third country and would not qualify.
You could engineer your trip so that you do end up in a third country to satisfy this requirement or try to buy another ticket for that purpose.
Note that Heathrow has four different terminals. While it is possible to move between them without crossing the border, it normally requires a boarding pass valid for that terminal. It is also theoretically possible to book a personal shopping service to take you to another terminal. Otherwise, you'd need to ensure you book flights that will get you into the same terminal where your sister will be waiting.
answered May 11 at 20:11
Zach Lipton
54.3k9162223
Thank you so much... so in this case it would be the best to purchase a ticket to the US (for I'm having an US visa). My sister is coming from there so she would probably be in the same terminal... and in this case have it as throwaway like Coke below has stated... But looks everything quite complicated :-(
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:15
@EvaY. It can be the US, but doesn't have to. Like I said, even a Turkish Airlines ticket to Istanbul or Air Serbia to Belgrade, to Name a few, will do.
– Coke
May 11 at 20:16
Also, what Airline is your sister arriving and departing on?
– Coke
May 11 at 20:17
I think it's United for arriving. Have to check with her with what arline she is leaving... just a sec..
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:21
I just didn't understand yet how to miss the plane on purpose and get refunded... or do you mean to get a "cheap" ticket to Istanbul that will not need refunding?
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:22
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
If you want to fly Switzerland-UK-Switzerland, you need to buy a "throwaway" connecting ticket from the UK to somewhere where you don't need a visa (which includes any green/yellow country in this map, but also, thanks to your Swiss residence Permit, several others such as the CEFTA countries (except Moldova), Turkey (only Istanbul-Atatürk airport), Georgia or Mexico) in order to board the flight. This should be a full-fare ticket, so you can cancel it and get a full refund.
answered May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
1
@Eva Y. Have you allowed for the possibility of flight delays (yours and/or your sister’s), or even cancellation?
– Traveller
May 11 at 20:34
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
This is not generally permitted, at least not without doing something more. Timatic, the database airlines use for immigration requirements, states that transit without a visa is only allowed for transits "on the same calendar day to a third country (excluding Ireland (Rep.))." Flying, say, ZRH-LHR-ZRH is not a trip to a third country and would not qualify.
You could engineer your trip so that you do end up in a third country to satisfy this requirement or try to buy another ticket for that purpose.
Note that Heathrow has four different terminals. While it is possible to move between them without crossing the border, it normally requires a boarding pass valid for that terminal. It is also theoretically possible to book a personal shopping service to take you to another terminal. Otherwise, you'd need to ensure you book flights that will get you into the same terminal where your sister will be waiting.
answered May 11 at 20:11
Zach Lipton
54.3k9162223
Thank you so much... so in this case it would be the best to purchase a ticket to the US (for I'm having an US visa). My sister is coming from there so she would probably be in the same terminal... and in this case have it as throwaway like Coke below has stated... But looks everything quite complicated :-(
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:15
@EvaY. It can be the US, but doesn't have to. Like I said, even a Turkish Airlines ticket to Istanbul or Air Serbia to Belgrade, to Name a few, will do.
– Coke
May 11 at 20:16
Also, what Airline is your sister arriving and departing on?
– Coke
May 11 at 20:17
I think it's United for arriving. Have to check with her with what arline she is leaving... just a sec..
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:21
I just didn't understand yet how to miss the plane on purpose and get refunded... or do you mean to get a "cheap" ticket to Istanbul that will not need refunding?
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:22
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
This is not generally permitted, at least not without doing something more. Timatic, the database airlines use for immigration requirements, states that transit without a visa is only allowed for transits "on the same calendar day to a third country (excluding Ireland (Rep.))." Flying, say, ZRH-LHR-ZRH is not a trip to a third country and would not qualify.
You could engineer your trip so that you do end up in a third country to satisfy this requirement or try to buy another ticket for that purpose.
Note that Heathrow has four different terminals. While it is possible to move between them without crossing the border, it normally requires a boarding pass valid for that terminal. It is also theoretically possible to book a personal shopping service to take you to another terminal. Otherwise, you'd need to ensure you book flights that will get you into the same terminal where your sister will be waiting.
answered May 11 at 20:11
Zach Lipton
54.3k9162223
Thank you so much... so in this case it would be the best to purchase a ticket to the US (for I'm having an US visa). My sister is coming from there so she would probably be in the same terminal... and in this case have it as throwaway like Coke below has stated... But looks everything quite complicated :-(
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:15
@EvaY. It can be the US, but doesn't have to. Like I said, even a Turkish Airlines ticket to Istanbul or Air Serbia to Belgrade, to Name a few, will do.
– Coke
May 11 at 20:16
Also, what Airline is your sister arriving and departing on?
– Coke
May 11 at 20:17
I think it's United for arriving. Have to check with her with what arline she is leaving... just a sec..
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:21
I just didn't understand yet how to miss the plane on purpose and get refunded... or do you mean to get a "cheap" ticket to Istanbul that will not need refunding?
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:22
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
This is not generally permitted, at least not without doing something more. Timatic, the database airlines use for immigration requirements, states that transit without a visa is only allowed for transits "on the same calendar day to a third country (excluding Ireland (Rep.))." Flying, say, ZRH-LHR-ZRH is not a trip to a third country and would not qualify.
You could engineer your trip so that you do end up in a third country to satisfy this requirement or try to buy another ticket for that purpose.
Note that Heathrow has four different terminals. While it is possible to move between them without crossing the border, it normally requires a boarding pass valid for that terminal. It is also theoretically possible to book a personal shopping service to take you to another terminal. Otherwise, you'd need to ensure you book flights that will get you into the same terminal where your sister will be waiting.
answered May 11 at 20:11
Zach Lipton
54.3k9162223
This is not generally permitted, at least not without doing something more. Timatic, the database airlines use for immigration requirements, states that transit without a visa is only allowed for transits "on the same calendar day to a third country (excluding Ireland (Rep.))." Flying, say, ZRH-LHR-ZRH is not a trip to a third country and would not qualify.
You could engineer your trip so that you do end up in a third country to satisfy this requirement or try to buy another ticket for that purpose.
Note that Heathrow has four different terminals. While it is possible to move between them without crossing the border, it normally requires a boarding pass valid for that terminal. It is also theoretically possible to book a personal shopping service to take you to another terminal. Otherwise, you'd need to ensure you book flights that will get you into the same terminal where your sister will be waiting.
answered May 11 at 20:11
Zach Lipton
54.3k9162223
answered May 11 at 20:11
Zach Lipton
54.3k9162223
answered May 11 at 20:11
Zach Lipton
54.3k9162223
answered May 11 at 20:11
Zach Lipton
54.3k9162223
54.3k9162223
Thank you so much... so in this case it would be the best to purchase a ticket to the US (for I'm having an US visa). My sister is coming from there so she would probably be in the same terminal... and in this case have it as throwaway like Coke below has stated... But looks everything quite complicated :-(
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:15
@EvaY. It can be the US, but doesn't have to. Like I said, even a Turkish Airlines ticket to Istanbul or Air Serbia to Belgrade, to Name a few, will do.
– Coke
May 11 at 20:16
Also, what Airline is your sister arriving and departing on?
– Coke
May 11 at 20:17
I think it's United for arriving. Have to check with her with what arline she is leaving... just a sec..
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:21
I just didn't understand yet how to miss the plane on purpose and get refunded... or do you mean to get a "cheap" ticket to Istanbul that will not need refunding?
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:22
 |Â
show 1 more comment
Thank you so much... so in this case it would be the best to purchase a ticket to the US (for I'm having an US visa). My sister is coming from there so she would probably be in the same terminal... and in this case have it as throwaway like Coke below has stated... But looks everything quite complicated :-(
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:15
@EvaY. It can be the US, but doesn't have to. Like I said, even a Turkish Airlines ticket to Istanbul or Air Serbia to Belgrade, to Name a few, will do.
– Coke
May 11 at 20:16
Also, what Airline is your sister arriving and departing on?
– Coke
May 11 at 20:17
I think it's United for arriving. Have to check with her with what arline she is leaving... just a sec..
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:21
I just didn't understand yet how to miss the plane on purpose and get refunded... or do you mean to get a "cheap" ticket to Istanbul that will not need refunding?
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:22
Thank you so much... so in this case it would be the best to purchase a ticket to the US (for I'm having an US visa). My sister is coming from there so she would probably be in the same terminal... and in this case have it as throwaway like Coke below has stated... But looks everything quite complicated :-(
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:15
Thank you so much... so in this case it would be the best to purchase a ticket to the US (for I'm having an US visa). My sister is coming from there so she would probably be in the same terminal... and in this case have it as throwaway like Coke below has stated... But looks everything quite complicated :-(
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:15
@EvaY. It can be the US, but doesn't have to. Like I said, even a Turkish Airlines ticket to Istanbul or Air Serbia to Belgrade, to Name a few, will do.
– Coke
May 11 at 20:16
@EvaY. It can be the US, but doesn't have to. Like I said, even a Turkish Airlines ticket to Istanbul or Air Serbia to Belgrade, to Name a few, will do.
– Coke
May 11 at 20:16
Also, what Airline is your sister arriving and departing on?
– Coke
May 11 at 20:17
Also, what Airline is your sister arriving and departing on?
– Coke
May 11 at 20:17
I think it's United for arriving. Have to check with her with what arline she is leaving... just a sec..
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:21
I think it's United for arriving. Have to check with her with what arline she is leaving... just a sec..
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:21
I just didn't understand yet how to miss the plane on purpose and get refunded... or do you mean to get a "cheap" ticket to Istanbul that will not need refunding?
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:22
I just didn't understand yet how to miss the plane on purpose and get refunded... or do you mean to get a "cheap" ticket to Istanbul that will not need refunding?
– Eva Y.
May 11 at 20:22
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
If you want to fly Switzerland-UK-Switzerland, you need to buy a "throwaway" connecting ticket from the UK to somewhere where you don't need a visa (which includes any green/yellow country in this map, but also, thanks to your Swiss residence Permit, several others such as the CEFTA countries (except Moldova), Turkey (only Istanbul-Atatürk airport), Georgia or Mexico) in order to board the flight. This should be a full-fare ticket, so you can cancel it and get a full refund.
answered May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
1
@Eva Y. Have you allowed for the possibility of flight delays (yours and/or your sister’s), or even cancellation?
– Traveller
May 11 at 20:34
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If you want to fly Switzerland-UK-Switzerland, you need to buy a "throwaway" connecting ticket from the UK to somewhere where you don't need a visa (which includes any green/yellow country in this map, but also, thanks to your Swiss residence Permit, several others such as the CEFTA countries (except Moldova), Turkey (only Istanbul-Atatürk airport), Georgia or Mexico) in order to board the flight. This should be a full-fare ticket, so you can cancel it and get a full refund.
answered May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
1
@Eva Y. Have you allowed for the possibility of flight delays (yours and/or your sister’s), or even cancellation?
– Traveller
May 11 at 20:34
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If you want to fly Switzerland-UK-Switzerland, you need to buy a "throwaway" connecting ticket from the UK to somewhere where you don't need a visa (which includes any green/yellow country in this map, but also, thanks to your Swiss residence Permit, several others such as the CEFTA countries (except Moldova), Turkey (only Istanbul-Atatürk airport), Georgia or Mexico) in order to board the flight. This should be a full-fare ticket, so you can cancel it and get a full refund.
answered May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
If you want to fly Switzerland-UK-Switzerland, you need to buy a "throwaway" connecting ticket from the UK to somewhere where you don't need a visa (which includes any green/yellow country in this map, but also, thanks to your Swiss residence Permit, several others such as the CEFTA countries (except Moldova), Turkey (only Istanbul-Atatürk airport), Georgia or Mexico) in order to board the flight. This should be a full-fare ticket, so you can cancel it and get a full refund.
answered May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
edited May 11 at 20:08
answered May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
answered May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
answered May 11 at 20:03
Coke
48k788212
48k788212
1
@Eva Y. Have you allowed for the possibility of flight delays (yours and/or your sister’s), or even cancellation?
– Traveller
May 11 at 20:34
add a comment |Â
1
@Eva Y. Have you allowed for the possibility of flight delays (yours and/or your sister’s), or even cancellation?
– Traveller
May 11 at 20:34
1
1
@Eva Y. Have you allowed for the possibility of flight delays (yours and/or your sister’s), or even cancellation?
– Traveller
May 11 at 20:34
@Eva Y. Have you allowed for the possibility of flight delays (yours and/or your sister’s), or even cancellation?
– Traveller
May 11 at 20:34
add a comment |Â
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If you have a valid long term US visa and Swiss residency then you can probably get a short UK visitor visa, and your sister shouldn't have much trouble getting a landside transit visa. This means you could meet outside the transit area.
– DJClayworth
May 11 at 21:42