Transit Visa London F1 to H1. help! :(

[yogijp]

Hi there!!

Just wondering whether any of you have any info on this.

I am in US and my current status is H1, but it is not stamped on my passport yet, which I intend to do when I visit India 2 weeks from now.

My trip to India (from US) involves a stop at London (for about 3 hours), so, will I need a transit visa for that?

I came to the US on a F1 visa which is valid till Jun 2005. Do you guys think I will be able to deceive the officials at the London airport that I am still a student (I will flash my student ID). I am assuming that they are not going to ask for a valid I-20 and all that stuff and that they will not have access to INS (SEVIS) database to check my validity.

And, what are they going to do if they decide that I need a transit visa but I do not possess one? Are they going to imprison me in London? or are they going to ship me back to US? or to India?

Also, any info on how long it would take to get a transit visa? I just have a bit more than a week and so..

Your views on this would be very much appreciated!!

Warm Regards,
JP.

[tannersarms]

If the rules are followed properly, you'll not even be allowed to board the plane. You must not only hold a valid US Visa to be exempt, but also be able to demonstrate that you last entered the US within 6 months of your flight.

Should you attempt to go without a visa and get past the boarding airline, you'll almost certainly not even see an immigration officer.

Processing time for a transit visa is likely to be quite fast if you get your application in ASAP. Bear in mind the holiday on Thursday though. Which state are you in? Applications are processed firstly by date of receipt, but a careful eye is given to date of travel

[immihelp]

read https://www.immihelp.com/non-usa-transit-visa/

[tannersarms]

I'll not waste time repeating what I said in the other thread with a similar question, as I don't want to be seen to be bickering with the Admin, but as you are travelling very soon I can assure you that you will need a transit visa with the circumstances you just described.

[immihelp]

tannersarms, you are correct. We have updated the page with 6 months rule for UK.