If you are passing through a UK airport while on the way to another country, you may need a UK transit visa. Transit visas are required by some nationals who are passing through the UK en-route to another country within 24 or 48 hours. The UK immigration rules recognise two types of ‘layovers’:
Full Answer
Do you need a transit visa to change flights in UK?
You’re not going through UK border control. Apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV) if you’ll be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control. 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.
What is a visitor in transit visa UK?
Visitor in Transit visa. You might need a Visitor in Transit visa if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland and you’ll: be changing flights in the UK on your way to another country. go through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight. leave the UK within 48 hours.
Who is exempt from getting a UK transit visa?
You will be exempt from the requirement of getting a UK Transit Visa only if you have a: EEA family permit Home Office travel document, for example you’re a refugee or stateless person UK Standard Visitor visa UK Marriage Visitor visa
Do I need a visa to travel to the UK?
going through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight You may not have to apply for a visa. What you need to do depends on your nationality and whether you need to enter the UK. Check if you need to apply for a visa.
Do I need visa for connecting flights in UK?
You might need a Visitor in Transit visa if you're: changing flights in the UK on your way to another country. going through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight. leaving the UK within 48 hours.
Can I travel to UK for transit without visa?
You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country). Check if you need one before you apply. To get a transit visa you must prove that: you'll be in transit to another country, with enough funds and the intention to travel on.
Do I need transit visa in Heathrow Airport?
At London (Heathrow), there's the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV). “If you're transiting London you need DATV. But if you're travelling, say, to the US, there are exemptions. Those with a valid US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese visa can travel to any country via London without DATV.
How much is a UK transit visa?
You can also apply for a long-term Visitor in Transit visa if you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK in transit over a longer period. Direct Airside Transit visas cost £34. Visitor in Transit visas cost £62. The cost may vary slightly depending on which country you're in.
Can Indian citizens transit through UK?
Open for Travel: Yes Open For Travel Indians with valid UK visas (including a tourist visa) can now travel to UK. Visa processing takes around 6 weeks, option of priority visa with additional fees. Check here if you need a visa to pass through the UK in transit.
Do I need visa for a layover in London?
You will need a UK transit visa if you: Are in transit to another country and have sufficient funds and the intention to travel onwards. Have evidence to prove you can enter that country. Can show that the only reason for your visit to the UK is for transit purposes.
Do you need a transit visa if you don't leave the airport?
Most countries that normally require that you have a visa, do not require the visa if you are a transit passenger, someone who is only transiting through the airport. As you don't go through immigration, and you don't enter the country, hence no visa is needed.
Can I transit through London from India?
A transit visa is not required by a foreigner passing through, in direct transit by air, and travelling onward through India, provided he/she does not leave the specified precincts of the airport. A person travelling by sea is not required to hold a Transit visa as long as he does not leave the ship.
Do I need a visa for a layover in London?
You will need a UK transit visa if you: Are in transit to another country and have sufficient funds and the intention to travel onwards. Have evidence to prove you can enter that country. Can show that the only reason for your visit to the UK is for transit purposes.
Do you need a transit visa if you don't leave the airport?
Most countries that normally require that you have a visa, do not require the visa if you are a transit passenger, someone who is only transiting through the airport. As you don't go through immigration, and you don't enter the country, hence no visa is needed.
Who can enter UK without visa?
EU , EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. In other cases, find out if you need to apply for a visa to enter the UK . You can cross the UK border using a valid passport which should be valid for the whole time you are in the UK .
Which countries can enter UK without visa?
Nationals of countries/territories who do not need a visa to enter the UK: All EU countries, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, ...
Do you need a transit visa for UK?
If you are passing through a UK airport while on the way to another country, you may need to apply for a transit visa to enable you to continue you...
Can I get a UK transit visa at the airport?
No, you will need to apply for the transit visa at the UK embassy or visa application centre in your country before you travel.
How do I apply for a UK transit visa?
You apply for the transit visa by completing the online form and paying the application fee. You will then need to attend an interview where you wi...
How long do you have to stay in the UK to get a visitor visa?
You need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you’re staying in the UK for more than 48 hours.
How long does it take to leave the UK?
leaving the UK within 48 hours. not working or studying while in the UK. You may not have to apply for a visa. What you need to do depends on your nationality and whether you need to enter the UK. Check if you need to apply for a visa.
What to do if you are not a resident of the country you are travelling to?
If you’re not a resident or national of the country you’re travelling to, you may need to explain why you’re going there. You may need to provide details of where you’re staying.
What to do if you are not going through UK border control?
If you will not be going through UK border control, check if you need a Direct Airside Transit visa instead.
When did the UK change its visa laws?
From 1 December 2014, the law is changing so you will have the option of either using a transit visa or using one of the ‘exemption’ documents listed below if you need to transit the UK as part of your travel.
Who makes the decision to allow transit without a visa?
The decision to allow transit without a visa is made by the immigration officer at the border.
What is an ADS visa?
a valid Schengen Approved Destination Scheme (ADS) group tourism visa where the holder is en route to the Schengen area; or
Do you need a visa to travel to the UK?
Nationals from certain countries* require a visa or exemption document to transit the UK, whether they are transiting airside (without passing through border control) or landside (passing through border control possibly to collect luggage or change airports).
How to apply for a transit visa?
You apply for the transit visa by completing the online form and paying the application fee. You will then need to attend an interview where you will provide supporting evidence of your transit plans, and submit your biometric information.
How long does a direct airside transit visa last?
Direct Airside Transit visas last for up to 24 hours, meaning the onward flight must be within 24 hours of your arrival in the UK. You cannot apply for this visa if you need to go through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage on to a connecting flight or to change airports.
How much does a DATV visa cost?
The DATV application typically costs £35, though this may vary depending on which country you are applying from. You apply online for a Direct Airside Transit Visa, unless you are applying from North Korea which requires a printed form. You will then make an appointment at the UK embassy or a visa application centre in your country.
What is a layover in the UK?
The UK immigration rules recognise two types of ‘layovers’: Airside – when you do not pass through UK immigration control for your connecting journey. Landside – when you do pass through UK border control, but return shortly (usually within 24 hours) to leave the UK. You will need a UK transit visa if you: Are in transit to another country and have ...
Is a long term visitor visa better than a standard visa?
If you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK in transit over a longer period, the long-term Standard Visitor visa may be a better solution.
Can I get a UK transit visa at the airport?
No, you will need to apply for the transit visa at the UK embassy or visa application centre in your country before you travel.
How to Apply for a UK Transit Visa?
When applying for a UK Transit Visa, you need to complete some procedures, which we have listed below step by step:
How many types of transit visas are there in the UK?
There are two UK Transit Visa types, which define the rules, criteria and requirements for such a visa, which are as follows:
How long does it take to leave the UK?
You will go through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight. You will be leaving the UK within 48 hours. You will be exempt from the requirement of getting a UK Transit Visa only if you have a:
What countries require a transit visa?
According to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service only citizens of the following countries require a transit visa: 1 Afghanistan 2 Albania 3 Cuba 4 Democratic Republic of the Congo 5 Eritrea 6 Ethiopia 7 Ghana 8 Iran 9 Iraq 10 Lebanon 11 Moldova 12 Nigeria 13 Somalia 14 Sri Lanka 15 Zimbabwe
Can you transit without a timatic?
All others (including you) should be able to transit without one. Same can be confirmed on Timatic used by the airlines
Is Dublin airport bad for transit?
Dublin Airport has very bad transit facilities. Even if you have a transit visa or don't need one, you cannot:
