Question

I'm just looking a flights, andand getting an idea for how to budjet when I get my visa....and saw one at a good price, problem is, it lays over in Dublin before heading to London where I meet my honey. Now the lay over is only an hour long so here is the question, would they do the customs and immigrations in Ireland? If so, how long does it take. In general, how long does it take with a fiance visa? Also, would I have to go through the immigrations fiance visa, or will they just look at it and let me through. I haven't booked any flights yet, (still waiting on my visa) But I was just curious. Thanks!!!

I cant give you experience from the UK side, but when my bf went to Canada from England and had to go to the US first  he did have to go through immigration in the US...however it may be different from the other side.

Good luck when you do go, and congratulations

Thank you. I did see another flight that was non stop, and it was only a few hundred more...Prolly be best to have my only lay overs state side, huh?

Im guessing youre flying with Aer Lingus? You will clear customs in Dublin before heading over to England. In my opinion they have the friendliest I/O's I have ever experienced by the way! Also just a comment. If you go to the US and connect through Dublin you will clear US Customs in Dublin. WEIRD! But it was really convenient when I landed in Chicago and just sailed through to baggage claim.

Yeah, that makes sense, because technically you are on international soil at that point....just the flight was in my price range (360 after taxes for mid April, when we plan on getting me over there) and the lay over in chicago was nothing, the lay over in Dublin, though is only an hour....which concerns me....I wouldn't want to miss my flight to Heathrow while my honey or his mum were sitting there, waiting for me and wondering what happened.

I think it is going to depend whether or not you have to switch terminals.  IF not, then you usually stay airside, though your travel agent or the airline will let you know.

There is little in the way of customs/immigration from Dublin to England anyway, so I doubt it will make much difference to you.  Also, if the stop over is only an hour, I imagine there will be staff there to shepherd you through to make sure no one missed their connection.

Victoria

I have a question, when booking a flight is it ok to book a one way flight...cause they arent exactly going to be going back.  And do you have to have a flight booked when you are applying for your visa...or can you give a rough idea when your going over?

When I applied for my UK Visa at the UK consulate in NY, I had a one way flight booked and that was fine.  I don't know for sure if you have to have the flight booked when you apply. 

They advise you not to book your flight until the decision is made.

Victoria

Did have to go through dublin customs, and you are in the Common Travel Area (http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=19318.msg225125#msg225125) so you ain't gonna get a UK stamp when you come in, perhaps. I will be going for my spousal visa FLR(M) on the 31st, the Home Office guy in Glasgow said just to bring my boarding passes and whatnot to prove I entered the UK at that time. I'll be including a note about this on my visa app.

If you fly Aer Lingus with loads of extra baggage, and are clearing immigration with your visa in Dublin, are you going to have to schlep all of your stuff through customs like you do in the US?

I am really considering trying to get an Aer Lingus flight (Los Angeles to London) when I move, because their extra baggage charges are cheap. But I would hate to get stuck trying to juggle 7 or whatever pieces of luggage by myself if the system is like the US where you have to move your bags even if you are not at your final destination. Now if I just have to go through immigration and the bags go on to London w/o me having to deal with them, I am set.

Anyone know about this?

I would imagine they would do immigration and customs at the same time; in which case, you would indeed have to take your luggage and check it back in.

Ask the airline.  You may find that you don't have to clear customs, and there may be no immigration if you are staying airside.


Victoria

If you fly Aer Lingus with loads of extra baggage, and are clearing immigration with your visa in Dublin, are you going to have to schlep all of your stuff through customs like you do in the US?

I am really considering trying to get an Aer Lingus flight (Los Angeles to London) when I move, because their extra baggage charges are cheap. But I would hate to get stuck trying to juggle 7 or whatever pieces of luggage by myself if the system is like the US where you have to move your bags even if you are not at your final destination. Now if I just have to go through immigration and the bags go on to London w/o me having to deal with them, I am set.

Anyone know about this?

Courtney, I cleared customs in Dublin on my way back from Chicago a few weeks ago. My bags were checked all the way through. I picked them up in Birmingham and never had to clear customs with them.

Ahhh! That's what I wanted to hear!

Thanks!