Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
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.
Direct Airside Transit Visa
A Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) may be required if you:
- You will change planes in the United Kingdom en route to another country.
- Will not pass British border control.
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.
The UK Transit Visa is intended for those who have connecting flights in the UK but do not plan to stay in the country. It allows you to stay in the approved transit area for the duration of your stopover before continuing your journey.
When applying for a UK Transit Visa, you must supply all required papers, including your valid passport, information on your onward journey, and any supporting documents asked by the visa authorities. To guarantee a smooth and successful application, it is critical to follow the application procedure and provide all the needed information properly.
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.
Documents Required For UK Transit Visa
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:
- Residency permit.
- Green card.
- Valid visa.
If you are not a citizen or resident of the country you are travelling to, you may be required to justify your trip.
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:
- 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
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:
- EU Settlement Scheme family authorization
- Home Office travel document if you are a refugee or stateless individual
- Standard Visitor visa
- Marriage Visitor visa
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:
- 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)
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.
UK Transit Visa Application Process
To apply for a UK Transit Visa, you must do it online.
As part of your visa application, you must have your fingerprints and photos (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application center.
How long does the application take?
After attending your interview/consultation, you will typically receive a visa decision within three weeks.
Depending on the country you’re in, you may be eligible for expedited visa processing or additional services; check with your visa application facility.
The current average determination time for transit visas is six weeks.
You must submit an application for a Standard Visitor visa if:
- you are required to extend your stay in the UK
- you can demonstrate that you must frequently transit to the United Kingdom.
Fees
- Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) – £35
- Visitor in Transit visa – £64
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
Apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV) if you will be changing flights in the United Kingdom without passing through British border control.
Direct Airside Transit visa
A Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV) may be required if you:
- will change planes in the United Kingdom en route to another country
- will not pass British border control
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.
Other UK Visa Types
A Visa is required for any foreign national wishing to enter the United Kingdom. You can choose from the following:
| UK Family Visa | UK Refugee Visa | >UK Transit Visa |
| UK Standard Visitor Visa | UK Study Visa | UK Business Visa |
| UK Work Permits | UK Spousal Visa | UK Settlement Visa |
| UK Parent Visa | UK Child Visa |
You must also apply for the Standard Visitor Visa if you plan to study in the United Kingdom for a brief amount of time or if you need to transit through the nation.
Instructions for applying;
To apply for a Visitor in Transit visa, you must do it online.
As part of your visa application, you must have your fingerprints and photos (known as ‘biometric information) taken at a visa application center.
How long does the application take.
After attending your interview/consultation, you will typically receive a visa decision within three weeks.
Depending on the country you’re in, you may be eligible for expedited visa processing or additional services; check with your visa application facility.
The current average determination time for transit visas is six weeks
People Also Asked
You’re going through UK border control
Apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you’ll be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. You’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if: you need to stay longer in the UK. you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK over a longer
Different countries have different visa requirements for entering and leaving the UK. Make sure you find out if a visa is necessary, in your personal situation.
Read more about the requirements of a transit visa.
A UK transit visa is a type of visa that allows you to stay in the UK for up to 48 hours while you are in transit to another country. You do not need a transit visa if you are only passing through the UK airport without leaving the airside area.
You need a UK transit visa if you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter the UK. You also need a transit visa if you are a citizen of a country that is exempt from the visa requirement, but you are not going to be staying in the airside area of the airport.
If your UK transit visa application is refused, you will be notified of the decision in writing. You will not be able to enter the UK without a visa.
The processing time for a UK transit visa is typically 15 working days. However, it can take longer if your application is complex or if there are delays at the UK visa application center.