
If you are travelling through the UK on your way to another destination, you may need to apply for a transit visa. Whether or not you require one depends on your specific circumstances, such as nationality, whether or not you are going through UK border control or the duration of your planned stay.
Do I need a transit visa if I’m travelling through the UK en route to another country?
You will not need a transit visa if you hold an EU Settlement Scheme family permit or a Home Office travel document, such as those issued to refugees or stateless persons. Similarly, if you already have a Standard Visitor visa or a Marriage Visitor visa, you will not need a separate transit visa to travel through the UK.
As of 17 January 2025, you no longer need the recently introduced electronic travel authorisation (ETA) if you are transiting through the UK and do not pass border control.
Who needs a transit visa?
The type of transit visa you need will depend on whether you will pass through UK border control during your journey.
Nationals from certain countries changing flights in the UK and remaining airside, meaning they do not go through border control, may need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa. There are certain exemptions to this, which may apply to you if you hold a visa for Canada, New Zealand, Australia, USA, etc. You may fall under another valid exemption and therefore may not need to apply for a Direct Airside transit visa – it is important to seek specialist advice well ahead of your travel.
Your airline can confirm whether your journey will require you to stay airside or go through border control. You will always pass through border control if you need to leave the main airport building for any reason or if you need to collect your bags and check them in to your onward flight. You must also pass through border control if both:
- your onward flight leaves on a different calendar day to when you arrive
- there’s nowhere for you to stay overnight in the airport (a transit hotel for example)
If you are a visa national (somebody who requires a visa to enter the UK), you do need to pass through UK border control and none of the exemptions apply to you, you may apply for a Visitor in Transit visa. Again, similar exemptions as that of Direct Airside transit (stated above) may apply, depending on your particular circumstances.
For tailored advice and support with your transit visa application, our expert team is here to assist you. Applying for visit visas or transit visas in general can be confusing.
Contact us in advance of your flight, we can help ensure your journey through the UK is as smooth as possible.
Updated: 5 February 2025
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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