Most travelers do not need a visa to transit in the UK, as long as they do not leave the International Airport Area. This is known as the “transit privilege.”
However, there are certain nationalities whose citizens require a visa to transit, even if they remain within the transit area of the airport.
With a UK transit visa, you can stay in the airport’s international transit area for up to 24 hours. Leaving the airport’s international transit area with this visa is strictly prohibited and illegal.
Overview
| Purpose | To allow transit in the UK during a layover/connecting flight. |
| Type | UK Transit Visa |
| Validity | Up to 24 hours, only within the airport’s International Transit Area |
| Cost | £64 |
Who Needs a Visa to Transit in the UK?
You need a visa to transit in the UK if you are a citizen of one of the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Ghana
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Syria
- Sudan
- Cuba
- Iran
- North Korea
- Yemen
- Sri Lanka
- Turkey
- Zimbabwe
- South Sudan
- Eritrea
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- Lebanon
- Ethiopia
- Egypt
If you are from one of the countries listed above, you are not eligible for the “transit privilege.”
UK Airports with International Transit Area
These UK airports have an International Transit Area where you can use the “transit privilege”:
- Heathrow (London)
- Gatwick (London)
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
If you are making use of the “transit privilege,” please ensure the following:
- You are traveling through an airport with an International Transit Area.
- You are traveling during the permitted transit hours.
- You do not need to leave the transit area to switch to your other flight or during baggage claim.
Exemptions From the Transit Visa
You are exempt from applying for a transit visa if you are from one of the countries listed above and meet one of the following conditions:
- You hold a valid visa for the United States of America.
- You have a used, valid, or expired US visa and are returning from the US to a non-Schengen country within 24 hours after the visa expired.
- You hold a residence permit for a country within the European Economic Area (EEA), including the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland.
- You hold a valid UK, EU, or EEA residence permit.
Please note that possession of a UK visa or residence permit alone does not always exempt you from needing a transit visa, and you should verify your eligibility with UK authorities before traveling.
Applying for a UK Transit Visa
You apply for a transit visa at a UK Visa Application Centre or a British embassy or consulate. Here’s a short overview of the application process:
- Complete the Online Application Form Fill out the application form online, then print it and sign it.
- Schedule an Appointment Book an appointment with the nearest UK visa center or embassy.
- Collect Required Documents Gather all the necessary documents, including your passport, photographs, travel itinerary, and visa fees.
- Submit Documents and Pay Fees Submit your application and documents on the appointment day, and pay the visa fee.
In most cases, UK embassies and consulates have delegated visa submissions to private visa centers. These centers collect documents, schedule appointments, and send the applications to the UK authorities for review.
Visa Fee
The standard fee for a UK transit visa is £64. Children (under 18) are generally required to pay a reduced fee of £32.
You pay the fee at the time of submitting your application, either at the visa center or embassy. Save the payment receipt to attach to your documents.
Processing Time
It takes at least two weeks to process a UK airport transit visa application. However, during peak times or holiday seasons, processing may take longer.
When to Apply
You can apply for a transit visa as early as six months before your scheduled transit date. Most applicants submit their applications one to three months before their travel, accounting for appointment scheduling and the two-week processing time.
UK Transit Visa Requirements
The documents you need for a UK airport transit visa include:
- Visa application form. This can be filled out online or in paper format, depending on the embassy.
- Valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least three months after leaving the UK and must have been issued within the last 10 years.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Round trip flight ticket or itinerary showing your departure from the UK to a non-Schengen country.
- Visa for your final destination (if applicable).
- Declaration of Accuracy of Information.
- Employment letter (if employed).
- Visa fee payment receipt.
- Additional documents as requested by the UK embassy or consulate.
Note: The required documents may vary based on the specific embassy or consulate and your individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do I Need an Airport Transit Visa vs. Tourist Visa?
| Tourist Visa | Transit Visa |
| For anyone traveling to the UK for tourism or other purposes where they need to leave the international transit area. | For citizens of specific countries transiting through the UK airport’s international area without leaving the area. |
| When to apply? To enter the UK for tourism or switch flights when the airport requires you to leave the transit area. | When to apply? To transit through the UK airport without leaving the international transit area. |
What Is the “Transit Privilege”?
The “transit privilege” allows you to transit through the UK without requiring a visa, provided certain conditions are met:
- You must stop at an airport in the UK with an International Transit Area.
- You must remain in the International Transit Area and not leave the designated area.
- Your final destination is outside the UK and not within the Schengen Area.
The transit privilege is not applicable if:
- You leave the transit area (e.g., to pick up luggage).
- You have an open ticket with no fixed travel dates.
- You plan to transit through another country in addition to the UK.
In these cases, you must apply for a UK tourist visa since leaving the transit area counts as entering the UK.
What if I Am Transiting Through the UK by Car?
If you are transiting through the UK by car, you need to apply for a tourist visa.
What if I Have an Overnight Layover? Can I Stay in a Hotel?
If you have an overnight layover, you cannot leave the airport to stay in a hotel. You must remain within the airport’s transit area until your connecting flight departs.
If the layover exceeds 24 hours, you should apply for a tourist visa before your trip.
What Happens if My Flight is Delayed and I Exceed the 24-Hour Limit for a Transit Visa?
If your layover exceeds 24 hours due to flight delays, immediately contact your airline and the airport authorities. They may provide temporary assistance, but you will still be required to remain in the International Transit Area. Leaving without the appropriate visa is not allowed.
Are There Transit Visa Exemptions for Dual Citizens?
If you are a dual citizen and one of your passports allows visa-free transit, you may use the passport that grants you the privilege. Be sure to check which passport allows you to transit without a visa.
Can I Change Terminals During a Layover in the UK?
Yes, as long as both terminals are within the International Transit Area. If you must leave the transit area or pass through security, you will need to apply for a tourist visa. Verify this with your airline before traveling.
What if I Need to Transit Through Multiple Countries, Including the UK?
If your layover involves multiple Schengen or non-Schengen countries, you will not be eligible for the “transit privilege.” In this case, you must apply for a UK tourist visa since leaving the transit area in one country counts as entering the zone.