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Transit visa
UK Transit visas explained Transit without a visa
You may need a visa to pass through the If you do require a visa to transit via the
UK in transit – i.e. travelling through the UK – either to pass airside through the UK
UK on the way to another country. To be or to pass through the UK border - you
eligible for a transit visa you must be: may be eligible for transit without a visa if
you hold one of a specified range of transit
• in transit to another country with
visa exemption documents. Check if you
enough funds and the intention to
are eligible by using the Visa Checker Tool
travel on
at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
• able to prove you can enter that
country
• able to show that the only purpose of
Visitor in Transit visa
your visit to the UK is transit You may need a Visitor in Transit visa
if you’ll be going through immigration
You should first check if you need a visa
control but leaving the UK within 48
at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
hours and you’re:
Not leaving the airport • from outside the European
Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
Apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa
• not going to work or study while in
if you will be changing flights in the UK
the UK.
and won’t be going through UK border
control. Direct Airside Transit visas last You should first check if you need a
for up to 24 hours. transit visa at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
You cannot apply for this visa if you need
to go through UK border control, for
Visitor in Transit visa
example to check in your luggage on to a documents
connecting flight or to change airports – You must provide:
apply for a Visitor in Transit visa instead.
• a current passport or other valid
Leaving the airport travel identification
Apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you Direct Airside Transit visa
will be going through UK border control
but leaving the UK within 48 hours. You You may need a Direct Airside Transit
can also apply for a long-term Visitor in visa if you will be changing flights in
Transit visa if you can prove you need the UK without going through
to frequently pass through the UK in immigration control and you are
transit over a longer period. from outside the European Economic
Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Fees You should first check if you need a
Direct Airside Transit visas cost £34. transit visa at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Visitor in Transit visas cost £62. The You don’t need to apply for one if you:
cost may vary slightly depending on
which country you’re in. • hold an EEA family permit
www.gov.uk/family-permit
• hold a valid Home Office travel
document www.gov.uk/apply-
home-office-travel-document
• hold a valid UK visa
• are eligible for transit without a visa
You should check your eligibility for
transit without a visa before applying
for a direct airside transit visa.