Transit Visa

Who Requires a UK Transit Visa? | Expert Guidance from Link and Day Lawyers

If you’re planning to transit through the United Kingdom en route to another destination, understanding whether you need a UK transit visa is crucial. At Link and Day Lawyers, we provide expert advice to ensure your journey remains compliant and uninterrupted.

Individuals Who Do Not Require a UK Transit Visa

If you are a non-visa national, you are generally exempt from applying for a UK transit visa. Additionally, even if you are a visa national, you may still not require a transit visa if you hold one of the following:

• A EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit

• A Home Office travel document (typically issued to recognised refugees or stateless individuals)

• A valid Standard Visitor visa

• A valid Marriage Visitor visa

Furthermore, certain travellers passing through the UK do not technically “enter” the country under immigration rules. In such cases, permission to enter or remain in the UK is not usually required. However, if you are a national of a specific list of countries, you will still need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV), even if you remain airside (within the airport’s international transit area).

Nationals Who Must Apply for a UK Direct Airside Transit Visa

If your nationality appears in the list below, and you are not otherwise exempt, you will require a Direct Airside Transit Visa to pass through the UK, even if you remain airside:

• Afghanistan

• Albania

• Algeria

• Angola

• Bangladesh

• Belarus

• Burma (Myanmar)

• Burundi

• Cameroon

• Congo (Brazzaville)

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Egypt

• Eritrea

• Ethiopia

• North Macedonia

• The Gambia

• Ghana

• Guinea

• Guinea-Bissau

• India

• Iran

• Iraq

• Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)

• Jamaica

• Kenya

• Kosovo

• Lebanon

• Lesotho

• Liberia

• Libya

• Malawi

• Moldova

• Mongolia

• Nepal

• Nigeria

• Pakistan

• Palestinian Territories

• People’s Republic of China

• Rwanda

• Senegal

• Serbia

• Sierra Leone

• Somalia

• South Africa

• South Sudan

• Sri Lanka

• Sudan

• Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

• Syria

• Tanzania

• Turkey

• Uganda

• Vietnam

• Yemen

• Zimbabwe

• Holders of travel documents issued by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

• Holders of non-biometric passports issued by Venezuela

Need Assistance?

Understanding UK transit visa requirements can be complex, particularly if you’re unsure about your immigration status or documentation. Link and Day Lawyers provide tailored legal support to ensure your transit through the UK is fully compliant and hassle-free.

Contact our immigration specialists today on (+44)-7471-588460 for expert legal advice and application support.

What Are the Two Primary Types of UK Transit Visas?

When travelling through the United Kingdom en route to another destination, there are two primary categories of UK transit visas, depending on how you move through the country: airside transit and landside transit.

Landside Transit – Visitor in Transit Visa

Landside transit occurs when you must enter the UK by passing through border control, even if only temporarily. This may happen if your connecting flight departs from a different airport, or if you are required to collect and re-check your luggage. In such cases, you are officially considered to have entered the UK, even if your stay is brief and solely for transit purposes.

Travellers in this situation are required to obtain a Visitor in Transit visa. This visa is generally priced at around £70, although fees may vary slightly depending on your country of application. For those who anticipate frequent transit through the UK over an extended period, a Standard Visitor visa available as a multiple-entry option valid for 2, 5, or 10 years may offer greater convenience and flexibility.

Airside Transit – Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)

In contrast, airside transit applies when you remain within the international transit zone of the airport and do not pass through UK border control. This means you are not formally entering the United Kingdom. Typically, this scenario occurs when you have a connecting flight departing from the same airport without the need to clear immigration.

For this type of journey, a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) is required. The DATV is generally more affordable, with a standard fee of approximately £39, though this too can vary based on your location at the time of application.

How to Successfully Apply for a UK Transit Visa

If you are travelling through the United Kingdom en route to another destination and are not exempt from visa requirements, you may need to apply for a UK transit visa. At Link and Day Lawyers, our immigration specialists offer clear guidance to help ensure your application is approved without unnecessary delays.

To secure a UK transit visa, you must convincingly demonstrate to the Entry Clearance Officer that:

• You are genuinely transiting to a third country outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands), and the route you are taking is logical and reasonable;

• You have no intention of accessing public funds, medical services, employment, or academic study while in the UK;

• You fully intend to leave the UK within 48 hours of arrival and are capable of doing so;

• You have guaranteed permission to enter your destination country and any countries through which you are transiting.

Recommended Supporting Evidence

While there is no fixed list of mandatory documents, the Entry Clearance Officer will consider several key factors when assessing your application. To increase your chances of success, we advise including evidence that addresses the following:

1. Validity and Practicality of the Transit Route

Ensure that your route through the UK is geographically and logistically reasonable. The Home Office does not define an “acceptable” route but gives examples such as transiting via the UK from Australia to New Zealand as being illogical. Use your discretion and provide a clear explanation of your route if necessary.

2. Overall Credibility of the Journey

The Home Office will assess the genuineness of your travel purpose. For instance, if your final destination is a holiday destination, provide hotel reservations, a detailed itinerary, or evidence of tourism plans. Your immigration history (including any past visa refusals or overstays) will also be scrutinised as part of this assessment.

3. Evidence of Intention to Depart the UK Within 48 Hours

You should provide proof of your onward travel for example, confirmed bookings for connecting flights, bus or train tickets, and proof of airport transit. The authorities will evaluate whether your travel schedule is feasible within the 48-hour limit.

4. Proof of Entry to Your Destination and Transit Countries

Include visas or entry permits for your final destination and any intermediate stops, if applicable. This assures the Home Office that you will not remain in the UK or be denied onward entry, thereby reinforcing the temporary nature of your stopover.

UK Transit Visa Application Process

To apply for a UK transit visa, follow these steps:

1. Complete the online application form available on the UK Government’s official immigration website.

2. Schedule and attend an appointment at a UK visa application centre, where you will provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).

3. After submission, your application will typically be processed within three weeks of your biometric appointment.

Can I Obtain a UK Transit Visa Upon Arrival at the Airport?

Technically, no you cannot obtain a UK transit visa at the airport upon arrival.

However, certain travellers may qualify under the UK’s Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Scheme, which permits eligible individuals to transit through the UK without the need to apply for a transit visa in advance. This exemption is strictly limited and subject to a number of conditions.

To benefit from the TWOV concession, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• You must arrive and depart the UK by air.

• Your travel plans must reflect a genuine intention to transit through the UK via a logical and reasonable route.

• You must not engage in any prohibited activities, such as accessing public funds, receiving medical treatment, working, or studying during your time in the UK.

• You must demonstrate a clear intention and ability to depart the UK by 23:59 on the day following your arrival.

• You must have a confirmed onward flight booking, departing the UK by 23:59 the day after your arrival.

• You must be able to gain entry to your final destination, as well as to any countries you are passing through en route.

• You must hold a valid document listed under the TWOV provisions (TWOV 3), which is a critical requirement. Please note that this document must be presented in physical, hard copy form electronic or digital copies will not be accepted.

Although the TWOV scheme allows for visa-free transit, UK Border Force officers will still evaluate your case rigorously at the airport, similar to how an application is assessed by an Entry Clearance Officer. They will consider factors such as:

• Whether you are following a reasonable transit route;

• The credibility of your stated travel purpose and supporting evidence;

• Your intention and capacity to exit the UK within the required timeframe;

• Your assurance of entry into your final destination country and any transit countries en route.

Therefore, while it may appear that no documents are required for the TWOV route, in reality, travellers should carry comprehensive documentation similar to that required for a transit visa application. Failure to provide sufficient evidence could result in refusal of entry.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify for the TWOV scheme or need support gathering the right documentation, Link and Day Lawyers can provide tailored advice to ensure your transit through the UK is seamless and compliant.

For trusted, professional assistance with your UK Transit Visa application, contact Link and Day Lawyers today on (+44)-7471-588460.