Understanding UK Transit Visas

When planning an international trip that involves passing through a UK airport, knowing the transit visa requirements is important for a smooth journey. In this post, we discuss the rules and types of UK transit visas.

There are two types of transiting: Airside Transiting and Landside Transiting. Airside Transiting happens when you do not go through UK border control and are not considered to have entered the UK. For example, this would be catching an onward flight from the same UK airport.

Landside Transiting means you go through UK immigration control, effectively entering the UK. Passengers must depart within 48 hours of arrival but can arrive at one UK airport and transfer to another. They can also spend time outside the transit area, such as re-checking baggage, before continuing their journey.

Do You Need a UK Transit Visa?

You will not need a transit visa if you:

• Have valid status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
• Have a valid UK visitor visa.
• Have a valid Marriage Visitor visa.
• Have a Home Office travel document, usually provided to refugees or stateless people.

Non-Visa Nationals

Depending on your nationality, you might be able to transit through the UK without applying for a visa in advance, provided you satisfy the transit rules:

• You must genuinely be in transit to another country outside the Common Travel Area.
• You must not access public funds, medical treatment, work, or study in the UK.
• You must genuinely intend to leave the UK within 48 hours.
• You must have assured entry to your destination country and any other countries you will transit.

Visa Nationals

A visa national is a person who is a citizen of a listed country who requires a visa in advance of travel to the UK for any purpose unless they are eligible under the Transit Without a Visa Scheme.

Transit Without a Visa (TWOV) Scheme

Certain visa nationals may transit the UK landside for a maximum of 48 hours without a visa if they meet specific eligibility requirements and hold an exemption document. To qualify:

• You must arrive and depart by air.
• Genuinely be in transit to another country.
• Not access public funds or medical treatment, nor work or study in the UK.
• Intend and be able to leave the UK before 23:59 hours on the day after you arrive.
• Have a confirmed flight departing before 23:59 hours the day after you arrive.
• Be assured entry to your destination country and any other countries you will transit.
• You must hold one of the various documents listed at TWOV 3 under the Immigration Rules.

Types of UK Transit Visas

The visa you need depends on whether you’re going through UK border control when you arrive in the UK. Your airline can tell you if you’ll go through border control. There are two types of transit visas:

Visitor in Transit Visa

You may need a Visitor in Transit visa if you are transiting landside and if:

• Will pass through UK border control.
• Will leave the UK within 48 hours of arrival.
• Will be frequently passing through the UK over more than six months.

For stays in the UK beyond 48 hours, you might need a Standard Visitor visa.

Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)

You may need a DATV if you are transiting airside and if:

• You are changing flights within the UK.
• You will not be passing through UK border control.

Applying for a UK Transit Visa

Applying for either a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) or a Visitor in Transit Visa follows a similar process. You begin by completing an online application and paying the applicable fee, which is £35 for a DATV and £64 for a Visitor in Transit Visa (costs may vary by country). You will also need to provide your passport and biometric information. Additionally, both visa types require you to furnish evidence demonstrating your onward travel plans and permission to enter your next destination country. You should receive a decision within three weeks of providing your biometric information

When applying for a transit visa, there are no specific documents required. However, the Entry Clearance Officer will consider the following factors, which can guide you in selecting documents to include in your application:

• Reasonableness of the Transit Route: Ensure your transit route is logical. For example, travelling through the UK from Australia to New Zealand is considered unreasonable.
• Credibility of the Entire Journey: Demonstrate the main purpose of your trip to your final destination. For instance, include hotel bookings if you are going on holiday. Note that the Home Office will review your entire travel history, including any past visa refusals or instances of overstaying.
• Intention and Ability to Leave the UK Within 48 Hours: Provide details and bookings for your connecting flights to show that you plan to leave the UK within 48 hours of arrival.
• Assurance of Entry to the Destination Country: Include visas or entry clearances for your destination and any countries you will transit through after leaving the UK.

How we can help

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Frequently asked questions