How long does it take to get through passport control at Heathrow?
95% of arriving passengers should be processed within 45 minutes - but as said above, there are so many variables...
People Also Ask
For British and European passengers, the “service level agreement” that Heathrow airport has with the Border Force is that almost everyone – 95 per cent of passengers – should be through passport control in 25 minutes. For other nationalities, the time is 45 minutes.
How do I avoid immigration queues at Heathrow? Once the check is made successfully, the gate opens automatically for you to walk through. Using e-gates helps you to avoid the queues and get through passport control more quickly. A Passenger Ambassador is available to help should you need it.
How long does customs usually take? On average, it takes travelers 17 minutes and 53 seconds to get through Immigration and Customs. This number will vary based on the airport you're traveling through, the time of year you're traveling, and the time of day you're arriving at the airport.
If you are eligible to use an e-Passport gate then we recommend that you do so. E-Passport gates are automated, where a passport reader and camera, rather than a border officer, will verify your identity and check your passport. Once the check is made successfully, the gate opens automatically for you to walk through.
Everyone who boards an aircraft at Heathrow has to be security screened to UK government standards. Even if you've already been through security checks at another airport, we're obliged to screen you again before you fly from Heathrow.
Use the eGates for quicker entrya national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA.
Unfortunately, due to the situation with Covid-19, we are currently unable to offer our Fast Track service. We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to assisting you in the future.
You do not require a passport to travel within the UK, but you will need to carry one type of photographic ID when travelling with us. Examples include: Valid passport. Valid driving licence, either provisional or full.
Allow between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Immigration queueing times have increased this week (some groups have been taking nearly two hours to reach arrivals from touchdown) but it's still very inconsistent so Peter's comment above is valid. Hello, I will be arriving at Terminal 4 at about 15:00 on Monday.