Manonthemove said:
Thanks for the info, I am from India.
The information on the http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/transit/visa/ is slightly ambiguous, hence can somebody from India who has traveled via Heathrow/London please confirm whether
The nationals of some countries are known as visa nationals, because they normally require a visa to come to the UK. These countries are listed under 'More information' below. Nationals of other countries are known as non-visa nationals.
You do not need a visa as a visitor in transit if:
you are a non-visa national; or
you hold a valid travel document issued by the UK government; or
you meet the 'transit without visa concession' - see 'More information' below.
Since you are immigrating to Canada, you don't need a transit visa even if your current nationality is Indian (Indian Nationals otherwise require a
Direct
Airside
Transit
Visa). See below what the UK Border Agency has so say:
'Transit without visa' concession - DATV exemptions
If you are a national of a country covered by the DATV system, you may be able to transit the UK airside without a visa. To qualify for this exemption:
- you must arrive and depart
by air; and
- your onward flight must be confirmed, and must depart within 24 hours; and
- you have proper documentation for your destination, including a visa if necessary.
Additionally, you must hold:
1)
a valid entry visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, and a valid airline ticket for travel via the UK, as part of a journey to or from one of those countries; or
2) a valid airline ticket for travel via the UK as part of a journey from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, if you are transiting the UK no more than 6 months after the date when you last entered Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA with a valid entry visa for that country; or
3) a valid USA I-551 permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998; or
4) an expired I-551 permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998, accompanied by an I-797 extension letter issued by the Bureau of Citizenship; or
5) a valid Canadian permanent resident card issued on or after 28 June 2002; or
6) a valid Australian or New Zealand residence visa; or
7) a valid uniform format category D visa for entry to a state in the European Economic Area (EEA); or
8 ) a valid uniform format residence permit issued by an EEA state under Council Regulation (EC) number 1030/2002; or
9) a valid UK residence card; or
10) a valid EEA family permit issued by the UK government; or
11) a diplomatic or service passport issued by the People's Republic of China; or
12) a diplomatic or official passport issued by India; or
13) a diplomatic or official passport issued by Vietnam.
Source: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/transitthroughtheuk/visa-transit-airside/
Hope it helps.