I am a Canadian Citizen but my wife isn't. She holds a Georgian Passport, Schengen Visa, and Canadian Permanent Residency Card. We will be flying from Calgary to Rome with a connecting flight at London Heathrow where we will be switching terminals. Flights were booked through one reservation with British Airways. The way back is the same but from Paris to Calgary with a connecting flight in London Heathrow switching terminals again. Time between flights is only 90 minutes to 2.5 hours so we won't be leaving the airport. I'm not sure if we will have to pass any borders when switching terminals, thus requiring us to go through customs? I don't know the airport. Will she need to get a Transit Visa before we leave or is she eligible for Transit without visa because she holds a Canadian Permanent Residency Card or is this a non-issue anyway because we don't go through any borders or customs?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
It looks like a non-issue, since you're not leaving the airport secure area, according to this: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
Mountaincat,
You won't pass through immigration when switching terminals at LHR for your route.
The UK has a government website which presents a series of questions to tell you if you need a visa. I'd suggest that you try that.
https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Yes I tried that already. It says I might pass border control even if I don't leave the airport, then asks if I pass a border. Then I thought "I don't know then". But you answered my question anyway cause you say I won't pass border control when switching terminals. This makes our plans much easier. Thanks :)
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5457 posts
Follow the signs for 'Flight Connections' and you should be fine.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
Mountaincat, if you go to the Heathrow website under Flight Connections, you can see the path click on the step by step guide) you will take between terminals
http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/flight-connections
There is a security check, but no passport control.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Perfect, it looks like we will be fine. Thanks Laura!
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3287 posts
As indicated on the link Laura posted, you can transfer between terminals "airside" and not go through passport control. So you do not cross "the border". Follow the signs to Flight Connections ( they are color-coded) and you will reach a dedicated bus which takes you between terminals. Make sure you know which one to go to!