Sachin Walls
Whether or not you need a transit visa to pass through Heathrow Airport depends on several factors, including your nationality, the duration of your layover, and whether you need to enter the UK or pass through border control. From 16 January 2025, a temporary exemption was introduced for airside transits at Heathrow, meaning passengers who do not pass through border control will not need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, those who pass through immigration (landside transit) will still need an ETA or a transit visa, depending on their nationality and the length of their stay in the UK.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transit Visa | Required if passing through UK border control |
| Airside Transit | Remaining in the airport's international transit area without passing through border control |
| Landside Transit | Passing through immigration, even for a short period |
| Direct Airside Transit Visa | Required if catching an onward flight on the same day and from the same UK airport |
| Visitor in Transit Visa | Required if going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours |
| Standard Visitor Visa | Required if staying in the UK for more than 48 hours |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | Required for visa-free non-visa nationals transiting the UK if eligible under ETA rules |
| Exemptions | Valid visa for the destination country, layover less than 24 hours, not leaving the airport |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Airside transit and landside transit
If you're transiting through Heathrow Airport, you may or may not need a transit visa depending on whether your transit is airside or landside.
Airside Transit
Airside transit allows travellers to remain within the airport's international transit area without passing through border control. From 16 January 2025, a temporary exemption has been introduced, meaning passengers on airside transit at Heathrow Airport who do not pass through border control will not need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, some nationalities still require a transit visa even if they remain airside. If you are catching an onward flight on the same day and from the same UK airport at which you arrived, you should apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa. Direct Airside Transit visas last for up to 24 hours.
Landside Transit
Passengers on landside transit must pass through immigration, even if they plan to leave the UK within a short period. Landside transit passengers will still need an ETA under the new scheme. If you will be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours, you will need to apply for a Visitor in Transit visa.
Hyderabad Airport: Where to Get a SIM Card?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Direct Airside Transit Visa
When travelling through the UK, you may need a transit visa. The type of visa you need depends on whether you are going through UK border control. If you are not going through UK border control, you may need a Direct Airside Transit Visa. This type of visa is for travellers who are catching an onward flight on the same day and from the same UK airport at which they arrived. 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 get a Direct Airside Transit Visa if you need to go through UK border control, for example, to check in luggage for a connecting flight or to change airports. In this case, you would need a Visitor in Transit Visa. With a Direct Airside Transit Visa, you will not be deemed to have entered the UK, and therefore you will not need permission to enter the UK for this type of journey. However, as a visa national, you may still need a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) for an airside layover. Not all visa nationals are required to apply for a DATV.
Some nationalities require a transit visa even if they remain airside. However, there is an exemption for airside transit at Heathrow and Manchester Airports, meaning passengers who do not pass through border control will not need an ETA. This exemption does not apply to landside transit passengers, who will still need an ETA under the new scheme.
It is important to note that the rules vary depending on nationality and travel plans. Some passengers, particularly those from visa-national countries, must apply for a UK transit visa before travelling, while non-visa nationals may be able to transit without one if they meet specific conditions. Failure to obtain the correct transit clearance can lead to denied boarding or refusal of entry at the UK border. Carrying the right documents, including confirmed onward travel and any required visas for the final destination, is essential to avoid disruptions.
Guatemala Airport: Where to Get a SIM Card?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Visitor in Transit visa
A Visitor in Transit visa is required if you will be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. This type of visa costs £70, although the cost may vary slightly depending on the country.
If you are catching an onward flight on the same day and from the same UK airport, you should apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa instead. This type of visa does not require passing through UK border control. Direct Airside Transit visas are valid for up to 24 hours.
It is important to note that some nationalities still require a transit visa even for airside transit. However, an exemption may apply in certain cases, such as the new ETA exemption for airside transit at Heathrow and Manchester Airports.
To avoid any issues, travellers should ensure they meet the requirements for transit and carry the necessary documents, including proof of onward travel and any required visas for their final destination. Failure to obtain the correct transit clearance can lead to denied boarding or refusal of entry at the UK border.
Additionally, under the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, previously visa-free non-visa nationals will need an ETA to transit the UK if their nationality is eligible. From 16 January 2025, a temporary exemption was introduced for airside transits at Heathrow and Manchester Airports, meaning passengers who do not pass through border control do not need an ETA.
Suica Card at Narita Airport: Where to Get Yours
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Transit visa exemptions
The UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme requires previously visa-free non-visa nationals to obtain an ETA to transit through the UK if their nationality is eligible under the ETA rules. However, certain exemptions apply to this rule. From 16 January 2025, a temporary exemption was introduced for airside transits at Heathrow and Manchester airports, meaning passengers who do not pass through border control do not need an ETA. This exemption only applies to airside transit passengers, while landside transit passengers still need an ETA.
Airside transit allows travellers to remain within the airport's international transit area without passing through border control. Landside transit, on the other hand, requires passengers to go through immigration, even if they plan to leave the UK within a short period. It is important to note that some nationalities still require a transit visa even for airside transit.
If you are merely transiting through the UK and not exiting the international transit area, you may not need a transit visa. However, if your checked-in baggage is not transferred internally and you need to collect it during your layover, you may have to go through border control and thus require a transit visa.
To determine whether you require a transit visa for your specific circumstances, you can use the online tool provided by the UK government, which takes into account your nationality and travel plans. Additionally, your airline can provide information on whether you will need to go through UK border control, which can help determine the type of visa needed.
Get Your Pass Sanitaire at CDG Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Transit visa duration
The type of transit visa you need depends on whether you are travelling by airside or landside transit. Airside transit allows travellers to remain in the airport's international area without passing through border control. Landside transit requires passengers to pass through immigration, even if they plan to leave the UK within a short period.
A Direct Airside Transit Visa is required if you are catching an onward flight on the same day and from the same UK airport at which you arrived. 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. This visa is not applicable if you need to go through UK border control, for example, to check in your luggage or change airports.
A Visitor in Transit visa is required if you will be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. This visa costs £70 and may vary depending on the country.
Some nationalities require a transit visa even if they remain airside. However, an exemption may apply in certain cases, such as the new ETA exemption for airside transit at Heathrow and Manchester Airports.
It is important to note that the rules vary depending on nationality and travel plans. Carrying the right documents, including confirmed onward travel and any required visas for the final destination, is essential to avoid disruptions.
Exploring Layover Destinations: Can I Leave the Airport?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Whether you need a transit visa depends on your nationality, the length of your layover, and whether you will be passing through UK border control. If you are not planning to leave the airport, you may not need a transit visa. However, if you are leaving the airport, have a long layover, or are passing through border control, you will likely need a transit visa. Check with your airline and the UK government to confirm the requirements for your specific situation.
Airside transit refers to remaining within the airport's international transit area without passing through border control. Landside transit requires passengers to pass through immigration, even if they plan to leave the UK within a short period. The type of transit you are undertaking will determine the type of visa you need.
A Direct Airside Transit Visa is required if you are catching an onward flight on the same day and from the same UK airport at which you arrived. This type of visa is valid for up to 24 hours and does not allow you to pass through border control.
A Visitor in Transit Visa is required if you will be passing through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. This visa costs £70 and can be applied for on the GOV.UK website or through the UK ETA app.
