Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
#1
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Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, via London, UK
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Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I couldn't find it with a native or Google search, so if someone knows, please just post the link to the answered thread!
I'm going to be travelling to the UK for my sister's wedding with my American family (wife, son, mother- and father- in-law) - I'm a LPR, but haven't submitted my N-400 yet, so I still have a British passport.
I'm pretty sure that if it were me, my wife and my son travelling, we would be able to go through the UK Citizens line as travelling as a family. Does anyone know if my in-laws would also qualify as "family" to stay with us to get through passport and customs control?
Thanks!
I'm going to be travelling to the UK for my sister's wedding with my American family (wife, son, mother- and father- in-law) - I'm a LPR, but haven't submitted my N-400 yet, so I still have a British passport.
I'm pretty sure that if it were me, my wife and my son travelling, we would be able to go through the UK Citizens line as travelling as a family. Does anyone know if my in-laws would also qualify as "family" to stay with us to get through passport and customs control?
Thanks!
#2
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
Whats your port of entry? I went thru the UK line with my in-laws with no problem at Heathrow (10+ years ago), but at Teesside, even when its just me (UKC) and the kids(USC) they always hold us till all the UKC's have gone thru before they'll even look at us.
#3
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
With no knowledge of this, but applying common sense, the in-laws have to meet Non EU immigration procedures, as do the wife and kids. (presumably, visa waiver program).
Which line they are in?.... assuming they meet the criteria, the worst that can happen is they get sent to the back of the "right" line. But who said common sense is in charge.
ps. Customs has nothing to do with it - your concern is with immigration.
Which line they are in?.... assuming they meet the criteria, the worst that can happen is they get sent to the back of the "right" line. But who said common sense is in charge.
ps. Customs has nothing to do with it - your concern is with immigration.
#4
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
Depends how well you get on with them I suppose...
But anyway, it really does depend on the airport and how busy they are, so just ask when you get there.
But anyway, it really does depend on the airport and how busy they are, so just ask when you get there.
#5
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
pps. The 2 or 3 times I flew into London with my American girlfriend/fiance/ wife, she was through passport control/immigration faster than me, as the EU lines were always longer than the non EU lines. So I suppose consider all going non EU if you cannot be apart for an hour or so. The lines are not legal requirements, just herd management.
#6
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Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
pps. The 2 or 3 times I flew into London with my American girlfriend/fiance/ wife, she was through passport control/immigration faster than me, as the EU lines were always longer than the non EU lines. So I suppose consider all going non EU if you cannot be apart for an hour or so. The lines are not legal requirements, just herd management.
#7
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Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
Just to add some missing information, I'm landing at Heathrow. The last time my USC wife and I went, she went to the non-EU line, while I went through the UKC line. When I got to the desk, the officer said that we could have both gone through the UKC line, so I was just curious how broadly the UKBA interprets the definition of "family". I did wait an hour for her last time, but I heard it could be even worse nowadays.
#8
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
Just to add some missing information, I'm landing at Heathrow. The last time my USC wife and I went, she went to the non-EU line, while I went through the UKC line. When I got to the desk, the officer said that we could have both gone through the UKC line, so I was just curious how broadly the UKBA interprets the definition of "family". I did wait an hour for her last time, but I heard it could be even worse nowadays.
There have been recent stories at Heathrow about long delays, but that is not about immigrant status/extra checks, its about staffing levels.
The officer at the desk is not different from the one at the other line. As I said before, the worst that could happen is he makes you go to the other line and wait longer, but what purpose could that serve?
Relax and just take it in stride, remember you are British!
#9
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
Same at Newcastle, even though it was just me and my then 4 year old daughter, because she was non-EU they would not allow her to go through the EU line.
#10
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
Just to add some missing information, I'm landing at Heathrow. The last time my USC wife and I went, she went to the non-EU line, while I went through the UKC line. When I got to the desk, the officer said that we could have both gone through the UKC line, so I was just curious how broadly the UKBA interprets the definition of "family". I did wait an hour for her last time, but I heard it could be even worse nowadays.
One EU passport holder with 5 or 6 non EU might get refused.
#11
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
When I was there mostly they would allow a spouse to through the EU line, and if not busy a family with kids. If it was busy they often would request the people to wait until the line had been cleared. The other problem is if the I/O hasn't taken their stamp out to the EU controls they can't deal with non EU passports.
One EU passport holder with 5 or 6 non EU might get refused.
One EU passport holder with 5 or 6 non EU might get refused.
#13
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Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 674
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
Of course, I stupidly assume it's the same in the US and get told off by the officer for not going through the USC line, as I was travelling with my USC wife.
#14
Re: Travelling to UK with American In-Laws
Yep, I had that at Newcastle too. Just me (UKC) and my wife (with her residence card) and they wouldn't let her in the EU line with me. Not usually a problem, but last time we arrived 5 minutes after an entire plane full of non-EU passengers.
Of course, I stupidly assume it's the same in the US and get told off by the officer for not going through the USC line, as I was travelling with my USC wife.
Of course, I stupidly assume it's the same in the US and get told off by the officer for not going through the USC line, as I was travelling with my USC wife.