Heathrow airport - Long transit? Staying in hotels

[lukeortolani]

Tried this successfully at the start of this year. As others have said, with Canadian pr and departure and arrival on SAME day (not just <24 hours), you MAY be given a same day transit visa stamp without needing to apply for a specific visa before hand. But there are two caveats
1. This is purely at officers discretion. So you cannot plan for it, an officer might just refuse you and there is no way to dispute that.
2. This is meant for transit and cannot be used to say visit London attractions during a long layover.

So if you MUST exit airport, better get a visa beforehand. But if you are going to be in airport already and want to try your luck, ask an officer politely if you may exit airport for a transit hotel. And hope that officer is convinced.

For anyone else wondering, I was able to get out of Heathrow without a visa. I didn't even say anything. Just went to the officer, showed my passport and PR card, she asked a few questions like where I work, how I got my PR, what I plan on doing and when my departing flight was. She did seem a bit confused but asked her colleague who was seated next to her. Ultimately, she stamped my passport and let me go through. Process took 3 mins at most. Was able to get out, explore London and meet my friends after years

I should have just trusted my gut and what was actually written on the UK Gov website instead of getting conflicting answers online.

 

[lr108]

For anyone else wondering, I was able to get out of Heathrow without a visa. I didn't even say anything. Just went to the officer, showed my passport and PR card, she asked a few questions like where I work, how I got my PR, what I plan on doing and when my departing flight was. She did seem a bit confused but asked her colleague who was seated next to her. Ultimately, she stamped my passport and let me go through. Process took 3 mins at most. Was able to get out, explore London and meet my friends after years

I should have just trusted my gut and what was actually written on the UK Gov website instead of getting conflicting answers online.

Were you from a visa exempt country as far as your passport goes? I'm a bit surprised!

 

[lukeortolani]

Were you from a visa exempt country as far as your passport goes? I'm a bit surprised!

Nope, but I was able to get out because I fulfilled the requirements of the TWOV program - main thing being I had a visa/PR for Australia/Canada/New Zealand/USA

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigra...-appendix-visitor-transit-without-visa-scheme

 

[milon45]

@arhue I got a couple of questions for you since I'm planning a similar journey soon. Please provide your comments.
I'm planning for BLR-LHR-YYZ itinerary. Indian passport with a Canadian PR.

1. When did you transit through LHR?
2. What was your travel itinerary?
3. BA site (https://www.britishairways.com/en-c...t/coronavirus/entry-requirements#requirements) says that as per the air bubble agreement with India, they allow Indians only to travel to UK if their final destination is UK unless they have a foreign spouse. Did BA employees raise this issue when you boarded from India since your final destination was Canada?
4. Indians need to take a COVID test from the third country. Many travelers have shared helpful experiences on platforms like https://quality-inn.pissedconsumer.com/customer-service.html, noting that with proper planning, it's quite manageable. Getting tested at approved clinics in the transit country and ensuring timely results helped them smoothly board their flight from LHR and pass through Canadian border security without issues.

Yes, many travelers with Canadian permanent residency have been able to rest in nearby Heathrow hotels during long layovers without needing a UK visa. As long as you meet the requirements under the UK’s Transit Without Visa rules like having a valid PR card, confirmed onward flight within 24 hours, and staying in the airport vicinity you should be allowed to leave the terminal and stay at hotels like Sofitel or Holiday Inn. Always confirm with UK immigration or your airline beforehand to be safe.