Heathrow Airport Immigration: Contacting The Right Department

Heathrow Airport has different departments catering to various customer requirements. The airport has a contact centre that can be reached via phone or online form. The contact number for the Heathrow contact centre is 0344 335 1801. The online form can be used for enquiries, complaints, compliments, or any other feedback. Heathrow Airport also has a postal address: PO Box 887, 3 Manor Court, Exeter, EX1 9YT.

Heathrow Airport Immigration Contact Details

Heathrow immigration: documents needed

Heathrow Airport wants to ensure that your arrival in the UK is as smooth as possible. Here is some information on how to contact Heathrow Airport Immigration, as well as the documents you will need for a seamless journey through passport control.

Contacting Heathrow Airport Immigration

You can contact Heathrow Airport via their online form, or by calling their contact centre on 0344 335 1801.

Documents Needed for Passport Control

To ensure a smooth journey through passport control, make sure you have all the required documents ready. These include:

• Your passport, with any necessary visas.
• Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) if you are an international student.
• Recent bank statements.
• Details of your UK accommodation arrangements.

If you are travelling with your family, make sure to go through passport control together. If you are travelling with a child who has a different last name from yours or who isn't your own, you may be asked to confirm your relationship. You can speed up this process by bringing documents that prove your relationship with the child and the reason for your trip, such as birth or adoption certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, or a letter from the child's parent(s) permitting you to travel and providing their contact information.

It is also important to be prepared and know what to do when you reach the officer. Remove your passport from its cover and turn to the photo page. Remove hats, headphones, or sunglasses, and put away mobile phones or tablets.

Heathrow immigration: passport control tips

Before you arrive at Heathrow

Make sure you have all the correct documentation before you travel. This includes your passport, any visas, driving licence, travel insurance, and boarding pass. It is also a good idea to carry a smartphone charger and have your airline's information at hand. Remember that you can only take liquids in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml on the plane. Each liquid item should be placed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with a capacity not exceeding one litre per passenger.

At the airport

Download the Heathrow app to help you navigate the airport with ease. You can reserve parking, view terminal maps, pre-order food, and receive live flight updates.

At passport control

Have all your documents ready and remove your passport from its cover, opening it to the photo page. Remove hats, headphones, or sunglasses, and put away mobile phones or tablets when it's time to see an officer. If you are travelling with your family, stay together. Use the e-gates for speedier passport checks if possible. E-gates use facial recognition, so you won't need to speak to an officer. However, only those with a biometric symbol on their passport, aged 10 and above, and from specific countries can use the e-gates. If you are travelling with a child who has a different last name, you may be asked to confirm your relationship, so bring documents to prove your relationship and the reason for your trip.

Heathrow immigration: travelling with children

Top Tips for Travelling with Kids

Travelling with children can be a challenging experience, but Heathrow Airport has a range of facilities and services to help make your journey as smooth as possible. Here are some essential things to keep in mind when travelling with children and going through immigration at Heathrow Airport:

Give Yourself Extra Time

Allow for unexpected delays by arriving at the airport earlier than you usually would. This will give you ample time to navigate any potential tantrums, toilet breaks, or tiredness that may arise during your travels.

Stay Together

It is recommended that families stay together when going through passport control. If you are travelling with a child who has a different last name or is not your own, be prepared to confirm your relationship. Bringing relevant documents, such as birth certificates or a letter from the child's parents, can expedite this process.

Prepare Travel Documents

Have all your necessary documents readily available, including passports, visas, and any other relevant paperwork. Remove your passport from its cover and have it open to the photo page when approaching an immigration officer.

Use E-Gates if Eligible

E-gates provide a faster option for passport checks, utilising facial recognition technology. To be eligible, passengers must be over 10 years old (accompanied by an adult if between 10 and 17), have a biometric symbol on their passport, and meet other nationality requirements.

Pre-Book Airport Services

Heathrow offers Meet and Assist services to guide you through check-in and immigration, help with your bags, and provide transportation to immigration upon arrival. The Porter Service is another option for assistance with luggage, including strollers.

Reserve Baby Milk

Parents are allowed to carry up to 2 litres of expressed breast milk or prepared baby milk through security. Alternatively, Heathrow's Reserve and Collect service lets you reserve baby food and other essentials for pick-up and payment at the airport.

Relax in Family Lounges

Heathrow has kid-friendly lounges available for booking, offering a more comfortable and spacious environment for families to relax before their flight. These lounges feature various amenities, such as freshly prepared buffets, fully stocked bars, and entertainment for children.

Discover Airport Parking Options

Meet and Greet parking takes the stress out of parking by providing a designated spot and key handling services. The short-stay car park is also conveniently located near the airport, offering easy access to the terminals.

Keep Kids Entertained

Heathrow provides the Mr Men Adventure game, accessible through QR codes around the airport. It offers travel-themed quizzes, colouring activities, and a parent zone with useful information on changing rooms, play areas, and safety tips. Soft play areas are also available in each terminal.

Be Mindful of Safety

While the airport can be an exciting place for children, always prioritise safety. Avoid placing children on luggage trolleys or conveyor belts, and keep them away from roller belts and trays. Opt for designated changing rooms and play areas instead of repack tables.

Take Advantage of Family-Friendly Offers

During the summer, select restaurants at Heathrow offer a Kids Eat Free promotion, and children aged 15 and under can ride the Heathrow Express for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Heathrow immigration: contact details

Heathrow Airport has different departments for varying customer requirements. Below are the contact details for the immigration and passports department.

Heathrow Immigration and Passports

You can contact the Heathrow immigration and passports department via their online form. For all enquiries related to check-in, lost baggage, flight delays, and cancellations, you can find your airline's contact info on the Heathrow website.

The postal address for Heathrow Airport is:

> Heathrow, PO Box 887, 3 Manor Court, Exeter, EX1 9YT

The contact number for the Heathrow contact centre is: 0344 335 1801.

Heathrow immigration: what to expect

Before Arrival

To ensure a smooth journey through Heathrow Airport's passport control, there are several things you can do to prepare. Firstly, have all your necessary documents ready, including your passport and any required visas. It is a good idea to remove your passport from its cover and turn to the photo page, making it easily accessible. If you are travelling with your family, keep in mind that it is recommended to stay together when going through passport control. In case you are travelling with a child who has a different last name from yours or who is not your own, be prepared to confirm your relationship. Bringing relevant documents, such as birth certificates or letters of permission from the child's parent(s), can expedite this process.

Additionally, if you are a visitor to the UK who does not require a visa, you may need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This applies to visitors from countries outside Europe, including America, Australia, Canada, and Gulf Cooperation Council countries. An ETA is electronically linked to your passport and allows you to travel to the UK for up to six months. It costs £16 and is valid for two years, with multiple entries permitted.

At the Airport

When you arrive at Heathrow Airport, follow these tips for a seamless experience through immigration:

• Remove hats, headphones, or sunglasses before approaching the immigration officer.
• Put away mobile phones or tablets when it's time to interact with the officer.
• If eligible, consider using the e-gates for faster passport checks. These use facial recognition technology and do not require speaking to an officer. Eligibility criteria include having a biometric symbol on your passport, being aged 10 or older (with adult accompaniment for minors), and being a national of specific countries, including EU countries, Australia, Canada, and the USA.
• Keep your travel essentials, such as tickets, boarding pass, travel insurance, currency, and credit cards, easily accessible.
• Remember the restrictions on liquids in hand luggage. Only carry liquids in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml, placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre per passenger.
• For security checks, remove your laptop, tablet, or similar electronic devices from your hand luggage for separate inspection. Also, take off coats, jackets, and belts beforehand.

Frequently asked questions