Hi everyone,

Does valid  F1 visa holder traveling from US to NEPAL via Heathrow Airport London requires TRANSIT VISA ? The transit time is about 12 hrs for a airline change. I've searched  for UKVISA website and got this link: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf20transit#Q1
and found  that a valid US immigrant visa required to qualify transit without visa (TWOV) if a person is of direct airside transit visa (DATV) national (e.g.NEPAL) and didn't mentioned about F1 visa(which is non-immigrant visa).Anyone has been traveled thru the Heathrow recently, pls someone enlighten on this?
Thanks for your time!!
excerpt  from website::

Notes on DATV exemptions

1. A valid US immigrant visa packet (form 155A/155B) is a 'valid visa' for DATV exemption.
2. If you have an expired I-551 permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998 with an I-797 extension letter issued by the Bureau of Citizenship, you do not need a DATV.
3. If you have either:
   • an I-512 parole letter or an I-797C (notice of action) instead of a valid US visa; or
   • a transportation letter instead of a valid US permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998;
   you are not exempt and need a DATV.
4. If you hold a valid travel document with a US ‘ADIT’ stamp saying – 'Processed for I-551. TEMPORARY EVIDENCE OF LAWFUL ADMISSION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE VALID UNTIL [date]. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED', you are not exempt and need a DATV.
5. If you hold either an I-512 Parole letter or an I-797C (Notice of Action) instead of a valid US visa, or a Transportation Letter instead of a valid US Permanent Residence Card issued on or after 21 April 1998, or a US visa foil endorsed, "NOT A VISA. FOIL PREPARED AT DHS REQUEST", you will not qualify for exemption and will need a DATV.
6. Whether holders of non-national (including refugee) travel documents require a DATV depends on their nationality and whether they qualify for one of the exemptions listed above. So, for instance, the holder of a non-national travel document (such as a refugee travel document) who is a national or a citizen of one of the countries listed on the DATV list (for example, Afghanistan) will need a direct airside transit visa (DATV) if they are travelling to the UK in transit to a third country.