UK Transit Visa for Non-EU spouse

[pahadia]

Hi All,
I have recently naturalized as an Irish citizen and received my passport. My spouse is still non-eu passport holder. We are travelling together to India via Heathrow Airport. But we will be returning back separately on different dates. I know despite being category D Irish visa holder you will be hustled at Heathrow Airport for UK transit Visa (I had lot of experience on that). For that reason I want to get visitor visa for my wife. Now my questions is
Earliest appointment date to get UK visitor visa is 20th July but we are flying before that (all tickets are booked). Is there any way I can expedite visitor visa process? I heard that all non-eu spouses of EEA national should get obligatory EU visas on priority and free of charge. Am I right on this if yes how do I go on this one?
Also are they bit relaxed when both EU and Non-EU partners are travelling together?

Thanks in advance

[aswadref]

keep checking the appointment page every couple of hours people change or cancel appointment and u can take them.i got a date after a month but someone cancelled the appointment and i was able to change it.
hope this helps

[ca.funke]

Hi pahadia,

why don`t you just fly via Brussels or Frankfurt (airindia or jetairways)?

Much easier, and since your wife is the spouse of an EU-citizen she does not need a visa

Rgds, Christian

[tom4]

keep checking the appointment page every couple of hours people change or cancel appointment and u can take them.i got a date after a month but someone cancelled the appointment and i was able to change it.
hope this helps

Can you post a link to the appointments page?

[jhbmike]

keep checking the appointment page every couple of hours people change or cancel appointment and u can take them.i got a date after a month but someone cancelled the appointment and i was able to change it.
hope this helps

Can you post a link to the appointments page?

I dont think it allows you to go directly to the appontments page, you have to fill out the application first and then you are directed to the appointment page.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

pahadia,

What citizenships do you have?

What is it you actually want for your wife? Just to clear Heathrow on the way to rejoining you in Ireland? Or is she actually going to visit the UK? When she is in the UK, where will you be?

[aswadref]

tom4 Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:22 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

aswadref wrote:
keep checking the appointment page every couple of hours people change or cancel appointment and u can take them.i got a date after a month but someone cancelled the appointment and i was able to change it.
hope this helps

Can you post a link to the appointments page?



you have to fill up the application to go to visa page,but once u have it done u can change the appointment as many times u want

[pahadia]

Thanks for reply guys.

1) I am an Irish citizen now and lives in Ireland
2) We will be visiting our parent country India. Going out together and coming back on separate dates. I'll be in Ireland when my wife returns. I am looking for UK visitor visa for my wife for transit through Heathrow.
3) Flights have been booked so no choice for opting another airport.
4) I have checked with WorldBridge Services (UK visa application processor) and they suggested to keep on checking appointment schedule for any cancellation as suggested by aswadref

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

Exactly what Irish visa does your wife has? http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply ... transit#Q5 suggests that she does not need a transit visa.

That said, why is it that you want a visitors visa rather than a transit visa? She is not really going to be visiting, and will be just getting on the airplane to Ireland, right? Which airline and which airport/terminal is her flight from London to Dublin?

If you are going to get a visa "for insurance purposes", I would think you might want to get an EEA family permit and then use it to regularly visit northern Ireland. That will be issued at no cost. It proves your relationship (in case there are any questions). It will NOT be proof of anything when she transits through London (you need to be travellign with her to the UK or she needs to be coming to meet you in the UK).

[pahadia]

Hi Directive/2004/38/EC,
All Indian nationals who transit through London Heathrow need transit visa and that should be taken in form of visitor visa.
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvis ... vnationals
--------------------------------
Transiting to the Republic of Ireland

Passengers must pass through immigration control in order to take a flight to Ireland. Visa nationals (and passengers qualifying for DATV exemption above) may Transit without Visa providing they fulfil the TWOV conditions and are properly documented for entry into Ireland.

DATV nationals transiting to Ireland must obtain a visit visa - not a Visitor in Transit visa which is only for transit to a destination outside the Common Travel Area (Rules HC395 paragraph 47 refers).

All visa nationals wishing to transit the UK but spend longer doing so than the 24 hours permitted under the TWOV concession must obtain a visitor in transit visa for stays up to 48 hours or a visit visa.

----------------------------
Technically she does qualify for waever (as she has category D visa) but it is throughly discuessed on various forums that immigration officer at Heathrow airport insist of having visitor visa (they threaten me to send back to India despite having all legal documents with me). I just want to avoid hastle.

In between aswadref worked well. Just an hour ago I was able to book tomorrows appointment. I think someone cancelled their appointment.

Thanks you for your post and I'll update u tomorrow about the rest...