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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: visiting China - transit in London
Hi guys. My Chinese wife and I will be traveling from Germany to China through Heathrow next month. There's a 19hr stopover, and I'd just like to book into a hotel in 'Brexitland' before continuing on. Remaining in the transit area without visa is impossible, both legally and practically.
But now I worry about visa problems at the gate. All travel through Heathrow requires a visa, from what I understand. My wife is a European resident for a year already, mother to two British boys, but she can't simply check out at customs. Can she?
From what I read, a minimum of a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) is required, and despite the name, this must be applied for in a service center before traveling. To get any advice, British consular services charge 1.37 GBP per minute, payable by creditcard. I'm starting to regret booking through London; this BS would be completely avoided if I just took the Frankfurt stopover instead.
The Dusseldorf consulate is 2 hours' drive from my location. Do I need to pay for some overpriced phonecall to be allowed to know if my wife needs a visa, what, where and how? It's a bit ridiculous IMO...
7 years 31 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
Can't you ask at Brit's Embassy by email? If not, ask about it at any Tourist agency.
Found the answer on page 11 here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fil...
My wife doesn't need a visa because she has an EEA residence permit.