UK Transit Visa
A UK transit visa enables its holder to cross the UK territory to reach its destination country. This visa is only for non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals.
Who needs a UK transit visa?
You will need a UK transit visa in the following cases:
- You change your flights in the UK to continue your journey to another country.
- Apply through the UK border control, for example pick up your luggage from a flight.
- You will leave the UK within 48 hours.
You will only be exempted from having a transit visa requirement in the UK if:
- EEA family license
- Travel document from your home country, for example you are a refugee or a stateless person
- Travel document from your home country, for example you are a refugee or a stateless person
- Marriage visitor visa in the UK
Types of UK transit visas
There are two types of UK transit visas that define the rules, criteria and requirements for such a visa as follows:
- UK direct air transit visa
Visitors in the UK transit visa
UK direct air transit visa
If your flight in the UK changes during your trip to the destination country, you can apply for a direct air transit visa in the UK, but do not cross the border.
Note that if your destination country is Ireland, Canal Island or the Isle of Man, you will need to apply for a different type of visitor visa.
Visitors in the UK transit visa
If you go to the UK border checkpoint when crossing the UK to check your luggage on an intermediate or similar flight, you must apply for a UK visitor on a transit visa.
How to apply for a UK transit visa?
Here are some steps you can take to apply for a UK transit visa, which we have outlined below:
- Find out what type of UK transit visa is right for you. Remember, it all depends on whether you cross the border or not.
- Check where to apply. This could be a UK embassy or a visa application center in your country.
- Gather the necessary documents. A list of these documents can be found below this text.
- Complete the online application form. The application form can be found online on the UK Government Official Website.
- Get a visa appointment.
- Attend your appointment. At the appointment, your biometric information, fingerprints and photos will be taken.
You can then wait for a decision to be made on your application. You must receive the decision within 3 weeks of the appointment.
Documents required for a UK transit visa
An important part of the UK transit visa application process is gathering the required documents. Compared to other UK visas, fewer documents are required for a UK transit visa.
The main documents required for a UK transit visa are as follows:
- Valid passport.
- The main documents required for a UK transit visa are as follows:
- Permission to stay
- green card
- Valid visa
- Proof of the next trip. This could be the following:
- Flight reservation email
- Printed tickets
- Confirmation of a travel agent
Note that these are only original documents. Depending on your country of residence and current status, you will be asked to submit some additional documents.
Depending on your country of residence and current status, you will be asked to submit some additional documents.
The cost of a UK transit visa is as follows:
- You must pay 35 35 when applying for the UK Direct Air Transit (DATV) visa.
- You will have to pay 64 64 when applying for a UK transit visa.
However, depending on which country you are in, there may be slight differences in the cost of the visa.