UK Transit visa

UK Transit Visa

The type of visa required for entry into the United Kingdom is determined by whether you must pass through UK border control upon arrival. You can check with your airline to see if you will be subject to border checks. They will be able to tell you of any unique requirements or processes that must be followed.

If you do not need to travel through British border control, such as when changing planes in the UK without entering the country, you must apply for a UK Transit Visa. This visa permits you to remain in the airport's transit area and travel to your next destination without having to clear UK immigration.

Apply for a UK Transit Visa if you will be changing flights in the United Kingdom without passing through British border control.

What a transit visa is

A transit visa allows a traveller to pass through the UK on the way to another country. It does not permit visiting, working or studying in the UK.

Which visa an applicant needs depends on one thing: whether they will go through UK border control during the connection.

• Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV): for those changing flights in the UK who will stay airside and not go through UK border control.
• Visitor in Transit visa: for those who will go through UK border control (for example to check in luggage for a connecting flight) and will leave the UK within 48 hours.

Who does not need a transit visa

Some travellers can pass through the UK without a transit visa. A transit visa is not needed by anyone who already holds one of the following valid documents:

• An electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
• An EU Settlement Scheme family permit
• A Home Office travel document
• A UK Standard Visitor visa
• A UK Marriage Visitor visa

Eligibility

The two transit visas have different conditions.

Direct Airside Transit visa: for passengers who will change flights in the UK and will not go through UK border control, remaining in the airport's airside area during the connection.

Visitor in Transit visa: applicants must be changing flights on the way to another country, must go through UK border control, must be leaving the UK within 48 hours, and must not work or study while in the UK.

• Applicants must be genuinely transiting to a third country, not entering the UK as a destination.
• Visitor in Transit applicants must not work or study during the stay.
• Anyone staying longer than 48 hours must apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
• Anyone frequently passing through the UK over a period of more than six months should apply for a Standard Visitor visa (available as a long-term 2, 5 or 10 year visa with stays of up to 6 months each).

Costs

Fees confirmed on gov.uk at the time of writing. Fees may change slightly depending on the country the application is made from.

• Direct Airside Transit visa: £41.50
• Visitor in Transit visa: £74.50

Documents you need

Applicants should have the following ready when applying:

To be eligible for a UK Transit Visa you must possess a valid passport or other travel documents.

You will need to give evidence proving you are permitted to enter the destination country, such as a:

If you are not a citizen or resident of the country you are travelling to, you may be required to justify your trip.

• A current passport or other valid travel document
• Evidence of permission to enter the destination country, such as a residence permit, green card or valid visa
• Proof of the onward journey, such as a flight booking confirmation or boarding pass

• Residency permit.

How to apply

Applicants apply online for either the Direct Airside Transit visa or the Visitor in Transit visa.

As part of the process, applicants attend a visa application centre to have their fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) taken. Applicants should bring their passport, and can usually collect it on the same day.

To apply for a UK Transit Visa, you must do it online.

How long does the application take?

After attending your interview/consultation, you will typically receive a visa decision within three weeks.

The current average determination time for transit visas is six weeks.

You must submit an application for a Standard Visitor visa if:

The price may vary slightly depending on what country you are in. The above fees do not include any service fees for processing.

Visa types of transit

The UK Transit visa you require depends on whether you pass through UK border control upon entering the country.

Your airline can inform you if you will be subject to border control.

If you do not pass through British border control

• you are required to extend your stay in the UK
• you can demonstrate that you must frequently transit to the United Kingdom.

Processing time

Applicants usually get a decision within 3 weeks. Faster decision services may be available depending on the country the application is made from.

Length of stay and settlement

A transit visa is strictly for passing through the UK. It does not lead to settlement (indefinite leave to remain).

The Visitor in Transit visa requires the holder to leave the UK within 48 hours. The Direct Airside Transit visa covers only the airside connection between flights.

Travellers who need longer in the UK, or who will transit frequently over a period longer than six months, should apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.

Direct Airside Transit Visa

A Direct Airside Transit Visa ( DATV ) may be required if you:

You may not be required to obtain a visa.

What you must do depends on your nationality and whether you require entry into the United Kingdom.

• You will change planes in the United Kingdom en route to another country.
• Will not pass British border control.

Exemptions

You are exempt if you possess a valid:

• EU Settlement Scheme family authorization.
• Home Office travel document if you are a refugee.
• Marriage Visitor visa.

Futher Information

You may be required to submit information about your lodging.

Bring your passport and visa with you when traveling through the United Kingdom.

You must additionally show evidence of your planned or confirmed onward travel, such as:

• A flight reservation email
• Printed tickets
• Evidence from a travel agency

Visitor in Transit Visa

You may require a Visitor in Transit visa if you:

You may not be required to obtain a visa depending on your nationality and whether you require entry into the United Kingdom.

Transit visas are not required if you possess a valid:

If your stay in the United Kingdom exceeds 48 hours, you must apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

The Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and Ireland travel

You may need a visiting visa to travel via the United Kingdom to reach the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland.

You do not require a UK Visitor visa if:

If you need to pass through the UK regularly:

You can also apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you need to pass through the UK in transit regularly over a more extended period. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit, and your visa can last for 2, 5, or 10 years.

• Are you changing flights in the United Kingdom en route to another country
• When passing through the United Kingdom's border control, for instance, to check in your bags for a connecting flight
• leaving the United Kingdom within 48 hours
• not working or studying in the United Kingdom
• EU Settlement Scheme family authorization
• Home Office travel document if you are a refugee or stateless individual
• Standard Visitor visa
• Marriage Visitor visa
• you possess a valid Channel Islands or Isle of Man visa
• you possess a valid Irish biometric visa (marked "BC" or "BC BIVS" in the "Remarks" section)