Which Immigration Line?

As you all know, the non-EU queue for immigration at Heathrow is absolutely insane.  I went to Heathrow when I first entered on my student visa and I waited in a queue for about two and a half hours.  Now, my visa has been stamped and approved.  I was asked various questions about where I was staying in the UK, and my answers sufficed.

Next time I enter into the UK, am I allowed to avoid the non-EU line and go to the British national line?  If my visa has already been stamped by an immigration officer (it has a 3 on the stamp, I'm assuming for three years entry, which is the length of my visa), would it be a problem?

Are you a British national?  Then, no - you continue going through Visa-holders queues.

I don't think so, no.

Some airports have a seperate line for visa holders, but if not you have to go through the non-EU line.

Vicky

in my experience- gatwick as 2 lines- EU & NON-EU.

heathrow- has 3- EU, Non-EU, Visa Holders.

Heathrow has a separate line for visa holders and it's always the shortest.

When coming back from Europe not long ago I asked very sweetly if my British husband could go through the foreign nationals line with me because the difference in the lines was enormous. They were very nice about it and let us through together. Similarly my husband has been allowed through the American nationals line with me as well. I think it depends - they definitely have some discretion about who goes through where if you're with a spouse who has a different passport than you. It never hurts to ask!

Thanks for the info.  Next time I enter through Heathrow I'll look out for the visa holder line... and if I can't find it, I'll ask.

In my experience, while there's a sign for visa holders at Heathrow, it's never used as such.  Maybe I'm just totally blind, but that line seems to merge with the non-EU line.  I've never, ever noticed a separate line for non-EU visa holders - if I had, I would've used it every time!  The sign is there, but seems like the actual separation in the lines is not (and there's NEVER anyone at that little desk to ask)

Someone correct me if I'm wrong or pleeeeease tell me how to find this mysterious line

Aye, immigration at Heathrow is a mess.  When I was there, there was nobody at the desk, and people were trying to cute the queue, etc.  There is nothing I loathe more than a queue cutter after 2 hours of waiting.

The visa holder line is the last one or two booths at the very far right as you come off the escalator or stairs. It is the best thing...usually only one or two people there. It makes things so much easier if you have kids. Hope that helps.

Heathrow has a separate line for visa holders and it's always the shortest.

Not always!! I got off a plane once, apparently landing the same time as one from Asia and what I assumed to be the shortest line (even after asking the person at the desk can I go in it because I have a visa) ended up being a wait for 1.5 hours because all the other visa holders in front of me were heavily scrutinzed.

Other times I have zipped through the non-EU line before the EU citizens.

I say it is just a crap shoot!!

I say it is just a crap shoot!!

agreed!

The visa holder line is the last one or two booths at the very far right as you come off the escalator or stairs. It is the best thing...usually only one or two people there. It makes things so much easier if you have kids. Hope that helps.

I will keep my eyes peeled next time, that's for sure.  I'm sure it depends on what terminal you come in on, but anytime we come from the US, I remember the Visa holders sign (which is directly next to the Non-EU citizens sign) being on the LEFT.  Next time I'll just buck up the courage and ask - I just assumed it was a defunct queue!

Nest time you leave the UK, sign up for the IRIS programme.  It is a programme designed for visa holders and frequent travellers to the UK.  You sign up once, fill out some info, hand over your passport for examination and then they scan your Irises.  Then when you enter via certain airports (Heathrow term 3 & 4) there is a special line with iris scanners booths at the end. 

There has never been more than 2 people in the queue ahead of me and it takes about 2 minutes max to get through.  You don't even talk to an immigration officer.  It has by far been the best thing I have done so far!  I get to baggage claim quicker than my UK boyfriend.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/iris/

That is brilliant.  I'm going to do that the next time in Heathrow.

i've always wanted to join iris.. but i never get in when the office is open... going to try again when i fly out next week...