Table Of Contents:
- What is a UK Transit Visa
- Who Needs a UK Transit Visa
- Who Does Not Need a Transit Visa
- Types of UK Transit Visa
- Eligibility Requirements
- How to Apply for a UK Transit Visa
- Documents Required
- How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision
- Final Thoughts
A UK transit visa allows you to pass through the UK’s airside or landside if you are traveling to another country through the UK. Airside is where passengers stay within the airport’s international transit zone without passing border control. Landside is where passengers go through immigration before continuing their journey.
The UK DATV (Direct Airside Transit Visa) allows you to change flights in the UK without going through UK border control.
The UK Visitor in Transit visa allows you to change flights in the UK on your way to another country and go through UK border control. You must leave the UK within 48 hours.
What is a UK Transit Visa?
A UK transit visa allows visa nationals to pass through the UK when traveling to another country outside the CTA (Common Travel Area) through the UK. You can pass through the UK in two ways. One is airside, and another is the UK border side. In both cases, you need a transit visa.
When you are passing through airside, you need a UK direct airside transit visa. On the other hand, when you are passing through UK border control, you need a visitor in transit visa. Your airline can tell you if you will go through the UK border control.
In this article, we are going to discuss key things you need to know about UK transit visas.
Who Needs a UK Transit Visa?
You surely need a transit visa if you are a visa national and passing through the UK to another country. You will need a transit visa if:
- You have sufficient funds and the intention to travel onwards.
- You can demonstrate that you can enter that country.
- You can show that your purpose of visiting the UK is only for transit purposes.
As per the new rules, from 5 October 2023 onwards, citizens of Russia and Georgia transiting through the UK need to apply for a transit visa.
Who Does Not Need a Transit Visa?
The following people do not need a transit visa:
- Those with an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
- Those with EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit
- Those with a UK Standard Visitor Visa
- Those with a UK Marriage Visitor Visa
- Those with Home Office Travel Documents. For example, those who have permission to stay as a refugee or have humanitarian protection in the UK.
Types of UK Transit Visa
There are two types of transit visas.
1. Direct Airside Transit Visa –
You need a Direct Airside Transit Visa if you are going to another country via the UK, but you do not pass through UK border control and are not deemed to have entered the UK.
You need a DATV if you have to change flights from the same airport in the UK in which you arrived.
2. Visitor in Transit Visa –
You need to apply for a visitor in transit visa to enter the UK if you are going through UK border control while transiting through the UK to another country.
You must depart the UK within 48 hours of arrival. However, you can arrive at one port or airport and transfer to another port or airport to continue your journey or spend time between your arrival and embarkation outside the transit area, perhaps to re-check in baggage.
If you are going to stay for more than 48 hours, you may need to apply for a UK standard visitor visa.
You may apply for a long-term UK standard visitor visa if you are going to pass through the UK frequently over more than 6 months.
Eligibility Requirements
It is upon you to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements for a transit visa. Here are the eligibility requirements.
- You must demonstrate that you are a genuine transit visitor.
- It should be a reasonable route you are taking to travel from your country of departure to your destination country via the UK.
- You must intend to and be able to leave the UK within 48 hours of your arrival in the country.
- You must not intend to undertake prohibited activities such as accessing public funds or medical treatment or intend to work or study in the UK.
- You must demonstrate that you have permission, such as a valid visa or entry clearance, to travel to your destination country.
- Your passport needs to meet the destination country’s passport validity.
You may have to meet other eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances.
How to Apply for a UK Transit Visa?
You need to apply online on GOV.UK for a direct airside transit visa and a visitor in transit visa. However, nationals of North Korea need a printed form.
You need to pay the application fee of £35 for a DATV and £64 for a visitor in transit visa. This amount may vary slightly depending on which country you’re in.
As part of the application process, you need to enroll your biometric information (fingerprints and digital photograph) at a visa application center in your country.
Documents Required
You need to have your current passport or other valid travel document to prove your identity and nationality. There are no other mandatory documents required. However, you may be required to show more documents.
If you are traveling to a country you are not a national of, you may need to submit evidence showing you are allowed to enter that country. To prove this, you can submit documents such as
- Residence permit
- Green card
- Valid visa
You may also have to give reasons for traveling to that country and details of your stay in that country.
You may also have to prove that your onward journey is booked or confirmed and can submit documents such as:
- A flight booking email
- A ticket or boarding pass, digital or printed
- Confirmation from a travel agent
How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision?
You should usually get a decision on your UK transit visa application within 3 weeks. You can get a faster decision. For this, you should check with the visa application center in your country if there is a faster service available.
Final Thoughts
A UK transit visa is essential for visa nationals passing through the UK on their way to another country. It allows you a short stay in the UK without entering the country. There are two types of transits possible. First is the airside transit, and second is the landside transit.
Airside transit is for those staying within the airport’s international zone. Landside transit is for those who must pass through border control before continuing their journey. You need to understand which is the correct visa for you.
The application process requires you to prove your onward journey to the destination country and a valid visa for the destination. Some travelers are exempt based on nationality or visa status.
Planning in advance is crucial to avoid delays. You should keep documents ready to avoid visa refusal. You should check the latest requirements before applying. A transit visa does not allow you to stay for more than 48 hours or participate in activities beyond transit.