British and E.U. citizens and those from a list of other countries can enter the U.K. as an ‘airport transit’ passenger but must not leave the airport transit area without first clearing immigration. The only exception to this requirement is travelling on an emergency basis between two airports in the U.K. that can be through Newcastle airport arrivals – you will still require a passport, visa, and medical certificate. If your final destination is the U.K., then you should go through passport control – see below.
Table of Contents
ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT
1- Arrival Card:
If you have a visa, make sure to keep your arrival card until you leave the airport. You will need it when going.
2-Airpot Transit:
When you reach passport control, ask for an ‘airport transit’ form if you intend to stay in the airport transit area or otherwise complete a landing card and attach your completed airport arrival and departure card to it.
3- Airpot Formalities
If you are transiting through the U.K., you should proceed straight to ‘airport transit formalities,’ signposted in all passport control areas at major airports, seaports, and the Channel Tunnel terminal.
4- Documents
You should pass through border control without having to show your documents again if they have already been checked when you entered the area. If this is not the case, border officers will stamp your passport with a ‘stamp on entry’ or ‘stamp on exit’ – depending on whether you are entering or leaving the U.K. during that trip.
5- Airpot Transit Lounge
It would help if you waited in the airport transit lounge (or associated landside shopping lounge) until cleared by immigration/border control to enter the U.K., which will generally be within about two hours of your arrival at that airport. If you leave or attempt to leave any part of the restricted area, even for a short period, without undergoing immigration and customs formalities on both entry and exit, this would generally be considered an attempt at evading transit formalities and passport control. You may be arrested and deported on the spot if border officers feel it is appropriate.
6- Visa Or E-gate
If you do not have a visa or e-gate card, complete a landing card when you arrive in the arrivals hall (on flights originating outside Europe) or before going through immigration (if entering via another means – check with staff).
You should fill out only one side of the landing card. You will be given a similar form when you leave the U.K., which will be handed in upon departure.
If you have not yet obtained your e-gate card, follow the signs for ‘visa/e-gate’ when you reach passport control. You will need to fill out a landing card and attach your completed arrival and departure card to it.
IMPORTANT Note:
Keep hold of the green ‘departure from U.K.’ form until you have passed through immigration and are about to board your flight; otherwise, you will have to queue again for a new one if in a hurry.
● At The Newcastle Airpot Arrivals- TRANSIT LOUNGE
- Once inside the airport transit area, free Wi-Fi is available in some lounges – check with staff.
- You will be allowed to bring food and drink into the airport transit lounge (unlike in airports, where such items must usually be purchased inside the airside departure lounge). There are also cafes and shops selling magazines, books, newspapers, and other essentials.
- There is a good selection of international print media available -the Guardian and Times (U.K.), Time (U.S.), Newsweek (U.S.), and Le Monde (France).
- Toilets are available – check with staff for locations.
- The British Library has a small library of English reading materials in the transit lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 and some U.K. magazines and newspapers such as The Times newspaper.
- If you need to transfer money, ATMs at most major airports and newsagents/duty-free shops sell prepaid cards such as Cashzone (at Heathrow Terminal 3) and Marks & Spencer Money (Heathrow Terminal 4).
- You will require to show some form of photo I.D. such as a passport or driving license to gain entrance into the airport transit lounge.
Carry this with your boarding pass and travel documents throughout your journey.
ARE YOU MISSING LUGGAGE?
If you are missing luggage, report this to the airline’s baggage department immediately. If your bag is not found within 24 hours of writing is lost, contact the airport operator via their local ‘lost property office’ (usually located near to where you checked in), so they can help you try and find your baggage.
Essential Tips to Know:
1- Be on time.
2- Be patient.
3- Do not remove your belt, shoes, or any metal clothing items before going through security checks.
4- If you are driving, remember that you need an International Driving Permit to drive in the U.K. if your license is not written in English or a different alphabet.
5- Remember to carry your passport with you at all times for identification purposes -you may be stopped by the police or immigration officers and asked to present it if required.
6- Leave plenty of time for traveling between the airport, coach station, or railway station and your accommodation once you arrive. It can take more distance than you think to reach your hotel, and the journey may not be as straightforward as it appears on a map!
7- If booking an excursion or tour once you arrive, remember that the advertised time of departure usually refers only to the time at which check-in closes –always allow yourself enough time beforehand for security checks.
8- Watch out for pickpockets and bag snatchers- do not leave your bags unattended or allow strangers to distract you while carrying them.
SUMMARY:
If you do not have a visa or e-gate card, complete a landing card when you arrive in the arrivals hall (on flights originating outside Europe) or before going through immigration (if entering via another means – check with staff). You will be given a similar form when you leave the U.K., which will be handed in upon departure. You should fill out only one side of the landing card. You will need to fill out a landing card and attach your completed arrival and departure card to it. Keep hold of the green ‘departure from U.K.’ form until you have passed through immigration and are about to board your flight. Otherwise, you will have to queue again for a new one if in a hurry.
For more information and queries contact the airport staff.
