Roberta Aguirre
If you're travelling through the UK on your way to another country, you may need to get a transit visa. The type of transit visa you need depends on whether you're going through UK border control. If you're not going through border control and are remaining within the airport's international transit area, you'll need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa. If you are going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours, you'll need to apply for a Visitor in Transit visa. The cost of a Visitor in Transit visa is £70, but this may vary depending on your country. It's important to note that some nationalities may be exempt from needing a transit visa, even if they are passing through border control. The UK government provides an online tool to check if you require a transit visa based on your nationality and travel circumstances.
Can we get a transit visa at London Airport?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transit Visa Types | Direct Airside Transit Visa, Visitor in Transit Visa, Standard Visitor Visa |
| Transit Types | Airside, Landside |
| Transit Visa Requirements | Nationality, Travel Circumstances, Travel Documents, Passport, Proof of Onward Travel, Visas for Final Destination |
| Transit Visa Application | Online Application, Application Fee, Processing Time |
| Transit Visa Exemptions | ETA Exemption for Airside Transit at Heathrow and Manchester Airports, Non-Visa Nationals |
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What You'll Learn
Transit visa requirements for London airports
The type of transit visa required to pass through the UK in transit depends on whether you will be going through UK border control. If you will not be going through UK border control, you may need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa. If you will be going through UK border control, you will need to apply for a Visitor in Transit Visa.
A Direct Airside Transit Visa is required for those changing flights in the UK who will not be going through UK border control. This visa allows travellers to remain within the airport's international transit area without passing through border control. It is important to note that even if you are remaining airside, you may still need a transit visa depending on your nationality. Nationals of Russia and Georgia, for example, are required to apply for a transit visa if they plan to transit through the UK.
A Visitor in Transit Visa is required for those who will be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. This visa is also required if you need to go through border control to check in luggage to a connecting flight or to change airports. The Visitor in Transit Visa costs £70 and can be applied for online.
There are exemptions to the transit visa requirements. 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 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
To determine whether you need a transit visa to pass through a London airport, it is recommended to check with the UK government's online tool or with the Embassy directly.
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Transit visa exemptions at London airports
When transiting through the UK, the visa requirements depend on whether you will be going through UK border control. If you will be passing through UK border control, you will need to apply for a Visitor in Transit visa. This visa allows travellers to stay in the UK for up to 48 hours and costs £70. However, if you are staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
If you will not be going through UK border control and will remain within the airport's international transit area, this is known as airside transit. For airside transit, you may need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa, depending on your nationality and travel circumstances. Some nationalities require a transit visa even if they remain airside.
However, there are exemptions to the transit visa requirement for airside transit at Heathrow and Manchester Airports. Under the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, certain travellers who were previously eligible to transit without a visa now need an ETA. However, a temporary exemption has been introduced for airside transit at Heathrow and Manchester Airports, where passengers who do not pass through border control will not need an ETA. This exemption allows eligible travellers to transit through these airports without obtaining a separate transit visa.
To ensure compliance with the evolving transit regulations, travellers should check the latest requirements before their journey. The UK government website provides an online tool to check if a transit visa is required based on nationality and travel plans. Additionally, travellers should carry proof of onward travel, such as a confirmed flight ticket, and any necessary visas for their final destination.
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Transit visa application process
The visa you need to transit through a London airport depends on whether you will be going through UK border control. If you will be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control, you will need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa. 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. If you are staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.
To apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa, you will need to complete an online application, unless you are applying from North Korea, in which case you will need to fill out a printed form. You will need to provide your current passport or other valid travel documents. If you are not a national of the country you are travelling to, you will need to provide evidence that you are allowed to enter that country. You may also need to provide details of where you are staying and proof of your onward journey. Your fingerprints and photograph will also be taken at a visa application centre as part of your application. The application typically costs £35, though this may vary depending on which country you are applying from.
To apply for a Visitor in Transit Visa, you will also need to apply online and provide the same documentation as for a Direct Airside Transit Visa. This visa costs £70, though this may change slightly depending on which country you are in.
If you are regularly transiting through the UK over a longer period, you can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor Visa. This allows you to stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit and your visa can last for 2, 5, or 10 years.
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 under the ETA rules. However, there is currently a temporary exemption for airside transits at Heathrow and Manchester Airports, meaning passengers who do not pass through border control do not need an ETA. To apply for an ETA, you will need to apply online at GOV.UK or use the UK ETA app. The cost to apply for an ETA is £10, and you should receive a decision within 3 working days.
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Transit visa fees
The type of transit visa you need to enter the UK depends on whether you will be going through UK border control. If you will be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control, you will need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa. This costs £39, although this may vary slightly depending on which country you are in.
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. This costs £70, although this may also vary depending on your country.
If you are planning to stay in the UK for more than 48 hours, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. This visa can last for 2, 5, or 10 years, and you can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.
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 under the ETA rules. The ETA costs £10, and you should receive a decision within 3 working days. However, there is a temporary exemption from this scheme for airside transits at Heathrow and Manchester Airports, meaning passengers who do not pass through border control will not need an ETA.
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Transit without a visa
The need for a transit visa to pass through the UK depends on your nationality, travel circumstances, and whether you need to enter the country. There are two types of transit: airside and landside. In airside transit, passengers remain within the airport's international transit area without going through border control. In landside transit, passengers must pass through immigration before continuing their journey.
Some nationalities require a transit visa even if they remain airside. However, exemptions may apply, such as the new ETA exemption for airside transit at Heathrow and Manchester Airports. From 16 January 2025, a temporary exemption was introduced, meaning passengers who do not pass through border control at these airports do not need an ETA. This exemption will be monitored and reviewed as needed.
Non-visa nationals may be able to transit without a visa if they meet specific conditions. To check if you require a transit visa, you can use the online tool provided by the UK government, which considers your nationality and travel circumstances.
If you do require a transit visa, there are two options:
- Direct Airside Transit Visa: Required if you are changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control.
- Visitor in Transit Visa: Required if you will be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. This visa costs £70 and can be applied for online or through the UK ETA app.
When transiting through the UK, it is essential to carry the correct documents, including proof of onward travel, such as a confirmed flight ticket, and any necessary visas or permissions for your final destination. Failure to meet transit requirements can result in denied boarding or refused entry at the UK border.
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Frequently asked questions
Whether you need a transit visa depends on your nationality and whether you need to go through UK border control. If you will not be going through UK border control, check if you need a Direct Airside Transit visa. If you will be going through UK border control, you need a Visitor in Transit visa.
Your airline can tell you if you will go through border control.
Travellers should have proof of onward travel, such as a confirmed flight ticket, and any necessary visas or permissions for their final destination. You must also have a passport or other travel document issued within the last 10 years.
You can apply for a Visitor in Transit visa online at GOV.UK or by using the UK ETA app. Applications for airport transit visas must be applied for through a Visa Application Centre run by an external service provider, such as TLScontact or VFS Global.
A Visitor in Transit visa costs £70, while an ETA costs £10.
