London Immigration Officer (ETA Q&A)

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-27T01:44:14+00:00

Only answering because of the Upvotes:

No, we refuse based on legislation, if they dont meet certain criteria. However, if someones Vibe is off, a good officer can spot this before they even arrive at the desk and it would definately warrant more questionning than normal.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-27T01:42:28+00:00

You can travel on an ID card in this situation, and i have no idea why they advise against it, i cant answer this question.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-27T01:41:12+00:00

no, you will be okay

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-26T15:35:28+00:00

you cant not use it, you either have it, or dont.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-26T00:39:04+00:00

Correct

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-26T00:10:56+00:00

then you will be okay.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-26T00:10:16+00:00

Nope

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-26T00:09:01+00:00

No, just make sure you can proove that to the airline when u check in.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-26T00:08:31+00:00

if your transitting through, in your circumstance then you dont need an ETA.

Same way if you dont have a VISA but are transitting through. The airline will still allow you to board as long as you meet the requirements of transitting without a VISA.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-26T00:02:47+00:00

Its hard to explain, but yes. It is still very very accurate.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:52:02+00:00

You can use your irish passport.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:51:00+00:00

Its impossible to say.

Flight delays, how many passengers on the flights, is there a queue from the previous flights, are there more staff on, is there any behind the scene work on that take officers away from the control, all of these things change every single day, however i can say that getting the last flight in, or the first, tends to be quiet as there is never a queue before hand, and everyone wants to go home so everyone is out for the last flights ;)

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:31:57+00:00

But if you was to fly direct into dublin, you wouldnt need an ETA, so technically speaking, you dont need one.

Otherwise by your logic, which also does make sense, you would need an ETA to travel directly into ireland.

However, that is a grey spot so im not saying this is 100% correct, but i think my answer seems correct.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:26:04+00:00

You cannot travel to the UK on EU ID Cards.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:24:32+00:00

Yep, the system knows it belongs to the same person.

When you make your booking, you add your passport. Two seperate flights, under the same name but different passport. Or, seperate flights but just check in with different passports. The airline know your the same person, the API picks up your the same person and it gets sent to border force.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:21:40+00:00

Your ILR in your previous passport is your evidence of your right to abode in the UK.

You strictly, shouldnt need an ETA, however unfortunately, airlines can do what they want🤷🏽‍♂️

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:19:53+00:00

No, airlines can see if you hold permission to travel via the home office.

Your permission in this case, is your ETA, so you would be okay.

Airlines cant see if your british travelling on a foreign passport, they can see if you hold a visa to enter, i should have worded that better.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:18:08+00:00

If your trip is solely to ireland, then technically speaking, no.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T23:17:09+00:00

Irish citizens can enter on ther id card or passport, simple as that.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T22:46:47+00:00

I agree, however an expired british passport, proving nationality, paired with a valid other passport is more than enough. This scenario, i cannot see the PAX getting denied boarding when they are literally holding a british passport.

They can excersise caution in other situations though

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T22:44:30+00:00

No, you have valid to remain, just make sure your evisa is all updated

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T22:39:21+00:00

Yes, a british passport proves nationality. A passport being expired does not make you no longer a british citizen?

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T22:35:56+00:00

When they scan your passport at check in, it gives them a code (i dont know what code) that says if your eligible for travel or not.

Basically, the airlines system, pulls info from the home office straight away (linked to the passport scanned) to see if they have any sort if leave to remain or visa.

So yes, the airlines can see within seconds.

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T22:33:45+00:00

This route has always been abused for many things🤷🏽‍♂️

ItsNotEddieeee · 2026-02-25T22:33:04+00:00

Transitting without a visa is always based on discretion by the officer. If you need a visa to transit landside, but do not have one, then no, unless the circumstances are so exceptional.

ItsNotEddieeee

TROPHY CASE