Forget GE. It has nothing to do with entry to the UK. Assuming you are a US citizen you are eligible to use the ePassport gates at Heathrow. You most likely do not need a visa, and EXP and GE have nothing to do with UK immigration.
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Initially, the program was only offered at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) but has since been expanded to over 58 U.S. airports and 17 preclearance international airports.
The fastest way to pass immigration quickly is to use the electronic gates wherever possible. I recently passed through Terminal 5 in less than two minutes this way. U.S. passport holders have been able to use U.K. ePassport gates at major U.K. airports including all London Heathrow terminals since 2019.
The United Kingdom doesn't have Pre-Check (a U.S.-government entity, so duh!) or CLEAR (a U.S.-based company that hasn't gone international yet). However they DO have a program called Fast Track at their larger airports.
WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration today announced the expansion of its TSA Pre?® expedited screening program to include British Airways. Today's announcement brings the number of airlines participating in TSA Pre?® to 53 domestic and international carriers.
Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports. At airports, program members proceed to the Global Entry lanes where processing technology will be used to expedite the members by capturing a photo to verify their membership.
How long does it take to clear customs at Heathrow? On average, it takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour to clear customs and immigration at Heathrow Airport.
If you travel internationally four or more times a year, consider enrolling in Global Entry. If you take less than four international trips a year, TSA PreCheck is a great choice for domestic travelers.
Upwards of 1500 people trying to clear immigration and more flights arriving each minute. Best you can hope for is about 20 minutes, but with recent staffing issues as long as 5 hours. Can I transfer from London Heathrow Terminal 2 to Terminal 5 without going through immigration?