EU Passport queue or Non EU Passport queue

Is it frowned upon at LHR for an EU passport holder to accompany his/her loved one/partner/associate/friend/colleage (delete as appropriate) through the checks for Non EU passport holders?

I ask since me and the non EU passported other half will be arriving at heathrow together and don't see the point of queuing seperately for what will probably be hours.

It should not be a problem. However a better plan, given the non-EU queue might be for you to go through the EU queue in the hope of retrieveing the bags if they come through early.

An even better plan, although I almost hesitate to mention it for fear of attracting a certain member, would be to get hold of some passes for the fast track queue. I understand some people here might have some passes free, but we would need to know which terminal you are arriving at and if there is now time to get some to you. If you are in UC or business with someone else, you are likely to get a pink slip anyway, although it may not be pink.

A-ha.. Fast track! We will be arriving on VS Upper class.

So will we automatically be given these passes?

Will Fast track be open? Last time I arrived in J on KLM to T4 no passes were given, but Fast track wasn't open anyway.... and the EU queue was longer than the others.

Are non EU-ers allowed to use fast track?

Questions questions questions, don't worry though. I'm having work network connection problems today, and am just filling time by thinking ahead to the end of September, so no rush to answer!

In UC pink slips are given to non-eu passport holders. However they don't check you passport, so when they hand out landing slips (which I assume your wife will need) put your hand up too. Fast track should be open, and there is not a problem with EU passports using it, although it is in fact designed for non-EU passport holders. However the EU queue is often quicker. Not all airlines hand out vouchers in J, which may explain why you didn't get them on KLM.

We have been told several times by immigration officers that if one person in your family has an EU passport then it is in order to use that queue. We regulary do so with Mrs F, but in some cases it is actually quicker to go through the non EU queue especially if you arrive in behind the charter buses from Ibiza/Orlando:D

Iain

I'm sure if one of you is EU, then you could use that queue - although fast-track is always another option.

VS.

I always figure it is not good form for a non EU (visa national type) to use the EU queue (accompanying an EU type) since the checks will be more than a cursory glance at the passport and hence cause those daggers in your back from fellow pax being delayed behind you.

I will of course use the "they said it was OK on V-flyer" statement in my defence.[:o)]

It may be worth registering on the way out for the IRIS system alhough I'm not sure if your partner would qualify. Youncan find more details at:http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/iris/applying

I always use this service on the way back in through T3 at LHR and have never had to wait to use the machince. In theory it's even faster to use that Fast Track

Not sure if I have missed where you wrote about whether her passport contains a residential visa or if she just has a tourist visa.

My wife has a nonEU passport but now has residential status in the UK and we were told that we HAD to use the EU queue when we are travelling together. In fact it caused a problem when we actually tried to go through separately. Does seem to depend on the day and the immigration officer too.

Thanks for the answers.
We are currently living outside the UK, so she travels with a tourist visa.
I was fully planning on us both registering for IRIS last time we passed through. Unfortunately the clubhouse was calling[:o)]

I beleive anyone can register for IRIS so long as they have current "Entry Clearance" for the UK. Which includes the basic 6 month multi entry tourist visa.

Originally posted by PVGSLF
I beleive anyone can register for IRIS so long as they have current "Entry Clearance" for the UK. Which includes the basic 6 month multi entry tourist visa.

"Entry Clearance" means a visa for a period of at least 12 months paper stuck in the passport which you get from the Home Office or British Embassy overseas. This does not cover a 6 month tourist stamp you get on entry at the airport.

I'm English, wife is American and we usually have fast track passes. We use whichever line is shortest, Immigration officials told us that my wife can use the EU line if accompanied by me, I did not have to wait with her in the non-EU.