UK transit visa embassy issued I-551 (Mach Read Immg Visa, MRIV) Please do answer

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UK transit visa for Embassy issued I-551 (Mach Read Immg Visa, MRIV) Please do answer

Gurus,

I will appreciate it if anyone could answer my question. I recently had my green card processed from Pakistan and the US embassy issued me a I-551 on security paper (it is called Machine readable Immigrant visa, MRIV and I read somewhere that the embasies started issuing it after June 2004) that was later endorsed by DHS entrance stamp. At the time of stamping I gave them my Immigrant packet, issued to me by the US embassy. I have not received the plastic green card yet

This MRIV looks like a regular H1B1 visa with my photograph and info and is glued to the passport page but has the IV information and A number etc and it has validity for travel to USA for 6 months However, it states that it is proof of green card for 1 year after stamping.
(I felt the need for a lengthy explanation as I dont know what else to call it :) I believe this is NOT considered the ADIT stamp)

Now, my question is: Does one need to have a transit visa for United Kingdom while tarveling to Pakistan with this Machine Readable Immigrant Visa "MRIV"? They don't require it if you have a valid H1B in your passport. Why should they ask for one now? Note: I have not received the plastic card yet.

I could not find a satisfactory answer on the britianusa website. Please help

Thanks
 
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You do need a UK transit visa if you do not have physical card in your possession and only an I-551 stamp on your passport. I am not sure what sort of stamp do you have on your passport but in absence of physical green card as well as a proper visa stamp (H1, F1, J1, Visit) on your passport, the likelihood of UK authorities asking you for a transit visa is extremely high. They do not recognize any other stamps except the recognized visa stamps. I myself traveled abroad with I551 stamp on my passport and UK embassy asked me to have UK transit visa upon my inquiry. You can alwys call their consulate offices.
 
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