LMS_Heathrow

Heathrow is not Bitterfontein Station

Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, with nearly 45 million passengers per year. It is also a nightmare for many newcomers to London, since it is here where your eligibility to enter the country will be assessed. Those rumours about people getting sent back are responsible for many sleepless nights before arriving. Again, be assured that if you prepare yourself properly before going, there is no need to worry.

At Customs

Just before the plane touches down, the staff will give you a form to fill out. You hand this form, which will ask questions about your stay in the UK, together with your passport to the official at the customs desk. It is here that the customs officer will ask you some basic questions about funds, intentions and duration of stay.

For the Working Holiday Visa Holders

Remember: the fact that you received Entry Clearance from the British Consulate does not guarantee your entry into the UK. You can meet all the necessary requirements, such as having a passport, a valid WHM visa, enough money and a return ticket, but eventually you will have to satisfy the Immigration Officer at the port of entry (e.g. Heathrow) that you are entering with the implied intentions associated with the visa.

Requirements have been relaxed, and you are now able to work unlimited hours and also in your own field of expertise. This does not, however, mean that you have an open gate to the UK. Strange as it may sound, you are virtually at the mercy of the mood of the Immigration Officer, and if it is your unlucky day to land in front of the desk of one of the moody ones, you might have your work cut out to persuade them you are a legitimate visitor. It is as if they decide on a certain number of prospective entrants that they have to give hassles (e.g. to interrogate).

Luggage searches are common practice, but not really the norm, unless they suspect that you have other plans than those associated with your visa. As the name implies: you are here to work and have a holiday.

Be calm and don't look anxious.

Have all documents ready:

•Passport

•Airline ticket

•You need to have ±£700 either in hard cash or travellers cheques to show. Not credit or debit cards.

Have the address handy where you will stay. You do not necessarily have to stay there, but have an address ready if they ask you for it. In most cases they will not follow it up.

Be prepared to provide reasons for your visit, details about duration of stay, etc. when asked and keep to your story. If they ask about work, then use the phrase “casual work”, “part-time” and “work and travel” as often as possible, bearing in mind that, although restrictions have been lifted, you're still not supposed to “come and sponge” on the system.

The temptation is always there to insult government officials – in this case Immigration Officers – when they are giving you a hard time. If they feel that you might not be eligible for entry, they will question you in a questioning room and will really try to squeeze any discrepancies out of you. All the tears and all the swearwords in the world will not save you from the mammoth pleasure they get from sending somebody back. Keep calm and confident and keep your story simple, and never contradict yourself. In most cases you will not be in the wrong, but if it’s unfortunately your turn on the day, there is not much you can do.

Again, many restrictions have been lifted, but rather be safe than sorry. Thus, do not:

•bundle with friends in front of the terminal desk; look as if you are on your own;

•unnecessarily mention that you know friends or have relatives in the UK, especially those whose status might be doubtful;

•be inconsistent in your answers;

•say you just want to tour (unless this is really the case and you have proof of enough money for the trip);

•carry any other person's luggage through customs (it could contain drugs etc.);

•arrive clearly under the influence of alcohol.

Just a word of caution …

Whatever the airline - and flight (most taking 11-15 hours to London) - South Africans like to party and are sometimes inclined to over-indulge, especially if we know we don't have to pay for drinks (as is the case on most airlines). This can, however, lead to undesirable behaviour during the flight. If the airline feels that your behaviour is way out of line and a disturbance to fellow passengers, they could report you to the airport security at Heathrow, who will definitely not put in a good word for you at customs. Apart from this, your rights as a passenger will be placed in jeopardy. Recent reports of increasing air rage and related incidents have made air authorities very strict about this matter. You could even be thrown in jail. Enjoy yourself, but take it easy.

Also, be friendly with all the airplane and airport staff, but do not make silly jokes about e.g. bombs etc. It could land you in serious trouble.

Medical at Airport

As a South African you will probably have to undergo a medical screening before entering the UK. Its main purpose is to test for TB. If you have brought chest X-rays from home it could save you some time; otherwise they will screen you at the airport. Depending on how busy they are, you could wait anything up to an hour or more to be screened.

You’re in

Once the medical is finished, your passport will be stamped and you'll be in. Your landing-card will be kept by the customs desk for future reference regarding the date you arrived. You can now collect your luggage and pass through the declaration gates. If you don't have anything to declare, you do not need to worry. Once you're through that, London and all it has to offer lie at your feet!

How do I get to London?

•Read the signs - they are everywhere - ask for directions if confused

•Always carry at least £8 in change with you - bus, snacks, telephone etc.

•Get an A-Z map book as soon as possible

•Getting to London from Heathrow can be done either by cab, tube, or the Heathrow Express

•Follow the signs to the underground station – ask help if you get confused

•DO NOT TAKE A CAB/TAXI INTO LONDON – unless it is absolutely necessary – it is easy enough with the tube and is MUCH cheaper than taking a cab.

Do not trust anyone with your bags.

Read here about FIRST THING FIRST

Attitude

London is a great city with so much to offer and gives you opportunities to tap into its vast resources. But it remains important to approach London with a certain kind of attitude, no matter what the purpose of your visit. Your attitude and the way in which you adjust to and view the London set-up will go a long way towards determining how you use your stay in London.

Much of that attitude you'll find in the Ten Commandments, but the following should be part of it:

•Don't expect things to be as easy as at home and don't expect that things will be done your way;

•Expect to find a lot of rude, unfriendly and unhelpful people at some point. You might have a better understanding about this if you consider that more than 14 million people of different nationalities stream through London every day, and that personal customer-oriented practices as you know them tend not to exist;

•You must expect and be willing to work hard – and play hard;

•Be positive from the start, stick to your purpose and try planning weeks in advance;

•If you are used to living in luxury, you should leave that mindset on the plane. When you arrive, basic living will become the keyword - ‘every pound saved is a pound earned’ - as you will learn the hard way;

•Know that getting homesick is part of the game and you will be no exception;

•Swallow all pride and shyness, get on to the phone if you have to, take and do any work if you need it – beggars can't be choosers! You will probably do work in London that you never dreamt of doing – but no matter what you do, see everything as a learning experience;

•Be proactive, whether you are touring or working – every day counts!

•London is a place that can knock you down sometimes, but it always gives you the chance to get up again. You can find yourself nearly out on the street the one day and on the throne the next day. There is an Indian proverb that says: “A cobra will bite whether you call it Cobra or Mr Cobra.” London will force you onto your knees sometimes, whether you call it London or Mr. London. When the going gets tough, just push through!

•Be proud to be a South African, no matter what your perception is of the country's past (or present for that matter). Be an ambassador for your country: tell the people about your beautiful country and encourage them to visit it. South Africa needs tourism and the investment of foreign cur-rency that it brings. So in your own small way you can help to strengthen the economy of your homeland. Remember that you will probably return to South Africa at some stage and that it will need what you learnt in London;

•Be grateful for the opportunity that we as South Africans can now work in the UK. Take care of this opportunity and make the most of it.

Top reasons when you might find yourself in trouble at Heathrow

•You cannot convince the immigration officer of the intention of your travel - i.e. there is a discrepancy between what you say and what your travel documents say

•You cannot prove that you can sustain yourself financially for the duration of your visit

•You don't have the supporting documents to support your intention, i.e. where you are going to stay, where you are going to travel to, etc.

•You don't have a return ticket

•You caused trouble on the plane

•You talk too much to the officer as if you have something to hide

•A new law that will be passed soon will make it impossible to travel with a temporary passport, but do not try and enter with one anyway

•If you don't fit the bill - looks count for a lot, i.e. don't try and enter as a business visitor with a back back on your back

•If you travel on fake or illegal passports and/or visas, but that is just looking for big trouble!

•If you had any other trouble in UK or any other country, i.e. you were deported or if they note you overstayed your welcome

•If you stayed in UK previously for a long time, i.e. as a working holiday maker you might be suspected and might be questioned.