Entering the UK

Hello! I have a question.

I’ll be immigrating to Northern Ireland. I do know I cannot enter the UK through Ireland, but if I were to fly to Dublin, meet my husband there in the airport and the two of us continue to say, Liverpool, would that be okay?

Thanks in advance!

No, you won't be able to do that, because you will still be entering the UK through Ireland (because you landed in Dublin).

The reason you cannot enter through Ireland and then go on to the UK is because there is no immigration control between Ireland and the UK (due to the Common Travel Area). So, if you land in Dublin, you will go through Irish immigration and will be stamped into Ireland.

Then when you go in to the UK (either Northern Ireland or Liverpool), you will not go through UK immigration, and so there will be no record of when you arrived in the UK, because your passport won't be stamped/scanned by UK immigration.

To avoid this happening, what you need to do is book a flight that lands in the UK and NOT in Dublin or Shannon.

That way you will go through UK immigration, not Irish immigration.

Damn. We thought that was the case. Flights to Belfast from Boston are just so expensive right now! Thank you!

Damn. We thought that was the case. Flights to Belfast from Boston are just so expensive right now! Thank you!

How about flying into a different UK airport and then going to Belfast from there?

For example, you could fly into Manchester or Glasgow, or even London, and then head over to Belfast.

Also, if you've been looking at one-way flights, you may find that buying a round trip is actually cheaper. You could then just not use the return leg, or use the ticket for a visit back to the US.

How about flying into a different UK airport and then going to Belfast from there?

For example, you could fly into Manchester or Glasgow, or even London, and then head over to Belfast.

Also, if you've been looking at one-way flights, you may find that buying a round trip is actually cheaper. You could then just not use the return leg, or use the ticket for a visit back to the US.

That’s actually what we’re talking about right now! Boston to Gatwick on Norwegian is pretty cheap, but I have to add bags and then a flight to Belfast which should only be around £60-70. Thanks!


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If you haven't had a look at them already, try KLM. They've often got some pretty competitive fares (which include baggage!) and they fly the route Boston-Amsterdam-Belfast City.

That routing also satisfies your need to go through UK immigration. You'll do it in Belfast after arriving from Amsterdam.

If you haven't had a look at them already, try KLM. They've often got some pretty competitive fares (which include baggage!) and they fly the route Boston-Amsterdam-Belfast City.

That routing also satisfies your need to go through UK immigration. You'll do it in Belfast after arriving from Amsterdam.

I’ve actually taken that flight in the past and it was around £300 round trip! Thanks for reminding me!

That’s actually what we’re talking about right now! Boston to Gatwick on Norwegian is pretty cheap, but I have to add bags and then a flight to Belfast which should only be around £60-70. Thanks!


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We flew Norwegian from LA to Gatwick in March and they were pretty good.

We flew Norwegian from LA to Gatwick in March and they were pretty good.

How did you find the services on the flight? I’ll admit, I’m very spoiled as I usually fly Virgin Atlantic


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How did you find the services on the flight? I’ll admit, I’m very spoiled as I usually fly Virgin Atlantic


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If it helps, the absolute worst flights I've ever taken in my life were on Virgin. 

If it helps, the absolute worst flights I've ever taken in my life were on Virgin. 

Really? The last time I flew home from Belfast was on Virgin. We landed in Boston during a blizzard and that pilot was incredible at landing us safely. Honestly thought we’d end up in the harbour!

Plus I like the food and movies on Virgin


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How did you find the services on the flight? I’ll admit, I’m very spoiled as I usually fly Virgin Atlantic


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We flew with them Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale on the way out and then back from LA a month later, and the flights were bang on time, and the services were just fine.

In 2014 we spent 5 months in Australia where we flew internally 6 times on Virgin Australia and they were really good.

We flew with them Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale on the way out and then back from LA a month later, and the flights were bang on time, and the services were just fine.

In 2014 we spent 5 months in Australia where we flew internally 6 times on Virgin Australia and they were really good.

That’s great to hear! Thanks for your advice!


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